Wire mesh e Geoparks How netting su Developments in can interfere with Is Scotland and geo-conservation 27 England Winter 2006-2007 Putting rocks first On other pages Geoconservation The new conservation organisation Natural England has come into being at a Outcrops – pp 3-5 time when there has never been more to do on the geological front. There is the Natural England never-ending task of protecting our geological sites and landscapes, and the bodies declare Little & Large - celebrating two new constant need to educate and inform about geology and geoconservation. How National Nature Reserves – p6 will the new organisation face up to the challenge? springs into being shared aims In October 2006, Natural England came Most Earth Heritage readers appreciate that geoconservation is at the heart of DEALING WITH CHALLENGES TO The Association of UKRIGS Groups and all environmental management because it is, quite literally, the rock on which GEOCONSERVATION: into being and English Nature ceased to The Geology Trusts have issued a joint all else stands. Such is the logic of a recent report (page 4) produced by the Fossils: be. At Natural England’s launch in statement about future working. They bodies which now make up Natural England. With that in mind, we carry Commercial exploitation versus London, David Miliband, Secretary of say: features on geoconservation challenges such as the manner of some fossil Sustainable use – p7 State for Environment, Food and Rural collecting; on rock-face stabilisation with mesh; and on geological coring for Missing Birk Knowes fossils: SNH Affairs, said: “We are celebrating the Geoconservation and the raising of research. These are widespread activities – but how do we reconcile them with public awareness are topical and calls it a day – p8 launch of Natural England, a new public the need to protect our geology? Ironically and, rather worryingly, it seems body with a budget of over £400 million important issues, especially to those of that educating some geologists is still a priority! us working in this area. The development bringing together English Nature and Meshing up of Local Geodiversity Action Plans parts of the Countryside Agency and the We also look at how geology and landscape can play a major role in boosting our heritage – p10 (LGAPS) and the formation of Natural tourism. The emergence of Geoparks, for example, appears a potentially Rural Development Service. Its purpose Natural England Chair, Sir Martin England as well as other major initiatives powerful way of drawing people into an area through popularising its geology could not be more important: to ensure Doughty, in his speech at the launch of make this an opportune time to give a and landforms. We look at established and aspiring Geoparks in England and that the natural environment is Natural Foundations – geodiversity for clear message and inform the wider Scotland, and look to South Africa for an alternative approach. conserved, enhanced, and managed for people, places and nature (see page 4), community of the intentions and the benefit of present and future said that Natural England will be about direction of those involved in local We also have a mix of other articles on subjects as diverse as Rock Slope generations, thereby contributing to “linking geodiversity to biodiversity, geoconservation. The Geology Trusts Failures and rock-garden museums. As always, we would like to hear your When coring = sustainable development”. soils, natural processes and landscapes”. and the Association of UKRIGS Groups views and learn about new projects. If you would like to contribute to Earth are committed to developing and Geovandalism Heritage, please contact your nearest editor (below). implementing aims and objectives that Natural England Chief Executive, Dr He added that “I am determined that – p12 will see a strong and successful county- Helen Phillips, said that “…having Natural England carries forward its Managing Editor based geoconservation movement Spectacular failures – p14 completed an extensive review of our in- inheritance of geodiversity expertise, and established in the United Kingdom. year cuts and discussed planning makes it even more effective by Horsham stone rediscovered – p16 assumptions with Defra for 07/08, we are integrating it fully into our work. We Thus we will work together to further the committed to preserving all the will continue our important work to following aims that we share: Earth Heritage is a twice-yearly magazine produced by the A garden for Sutherland’s geology programmes which contribute to the conserve geological and G Establish a national network of county Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Natural England, – p17 2010 target for SSSIs and reversing the geomorphological sites, but we will also or regional groups to take forward Earth Scottish Natural Heritage and the long-term decline in the number of integrate work on soils, hydrology and geoconservation Countryside Council for Wales. The G heritage Linking geology to wider life (1) – p18 farmland birds by 2020. We will achieve hydrogeology, natural processes and A commitment to establish funding for voluntary geoconservation sector is a county geoconservation work as part major contributor. We would like to thank all those who have assisted with the these outcomes by applying an landscape appreciation. In all of this we of national policy preparation of the magazine. However, the opinions expressed by the contributors are appropriate mix of advice, advocacy, intend to work even more closely with GEOPARKS SPECIAL G Influence national and regional policy not necessarily those of the above organisations. A database listing all the articles Linking geology to wider life (2) – p19 incentives, regulation and practical action our external partners…”. carried up to issue 17 is available on CD. Contact any member of the editorial board. G Support a National Geodiversity Full speed ahead in Scotland – p20 according to the range of challenges that Action Plan Key articles from this and previous issues of Earth Heritage can be found on the Web at: the natural environment faces. Our Whilst it remains to be seen how G Establish national and county www.seaburysalmon.com/earth.html South Africa sets example for fossil presence will be visibly and vocally felt geological conservation is taken forward geodiversity databases Offers of articles should be directed to the relevant members of the tourism – p22 in the regions. Flexibility to respond to within Natural England, the first step has G Establish a secure income stream for editorial board, who are: regional and local differences within been the creation of a national team geoconservation Managing Editor Calling a Holt to conservation conflicts clear national frameworks will be a including geological, geomorphological G Raise public awareness of, and STEWART CAMPBELL, Countryside MICK STANLEY, Geodiversity –p24 hallmark of our approach”. and soil expertise which will provide the promote, geodiversity Council for Wales, Maes-y-Ffynnon, Consulting, Park House, 8 King focus for geodiversity conservation G Enhance geological, geomorphological Ffordd Penrhos, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 Street, Ripon, North Yorkshire Although the profile of geological within Natural England. and soils sites 2DN. Telephone 01248 385693, e-mail: HG4 1PJ. Telephone 01765 609479, Publications – p25 G conservation was not high at the launch Record geological exposures and [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] geomorphological features CYNTHIA BUREK, Cover photo of Natural England, it remains as an – Colin Prosser, Principal Geologist, Editors G Support and drive forward LGAPs with UKRIGS Geoconservation Association, integral part of the organisation’s work. DAVID EVANS, Natural England, An alluvial Natural England a common approach Centre for Science Communication, Northminster House, Peterborough PE1 fan deposit, G University of Chester, Engage with other initiatives in the 1UA. Telephone 01733 455204, e-mail: formed by a Parkgate Road, Chester CH1 4BJ. countryside [email protected] glacial Timeline is a measured success Telephone 01244 375444, G Establish common geoconservation COLIN MACFADYEN, meltwater e-mail: [email protected] standards. Scottish Natural Heritage, 2 Anderson river, in the Place, Edinburgh EH6 5NP. Production Glen Roy Telephone 0131 446 2055, Seabury Salmon, Seabury Salmon & National We intend to work together to make e-mail: [email protected] Associates, The Old Pound, Ludford, Nature geoconservation sustainable in the future NEIL ELLIS, Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 1PP. Telephone Reserve, and to give a lasting and viable Earth 01584 877442. Fax 01584 875416. within the proposed Lochaber European Geopark. heritage to future generations. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, The North East Wales RIGS Group has come up with a cheap and useful e-mail: [email protected] Etched into the hillside above the fan are shorelines Monkstone House, souvenir to boost interest in geology – a laminated ruler/scale and timeline. Any City Road, Peterborough PE1 1JY. Circulation formed through a combination of intense frost – Mike Browne, number can be printed out from a computer file, laminated with a heavy gauge Telephone 01733 562626, Earth Heritage is free. Contact your weathering and wave action when the glen was Association of UKRIGS Groups and plastic to weatherproof them for field use, sliced up and distributed to visiting e-mail: [email protected] local Editor to be