 |
Home
Project timetable
Aims of the project
Events for Bucks Geology
|
|
|
|
Aims of the project
Location: Buckinghamshire
Every county in England has a very unique rock, mineral and fossil resource. The type of rock and millions of years of weathering and erosion has produced the distinctive landscapes of each part of the British Isles. The hills and vales of Buckinghamshire are the result of this long and exciting history. They provide not just a pleasant place to live, but essential natural resources such as building stone, sands and aggregates, and clays for bricks upon which the fabric of the towns and villages depend.
Although biological conservation has been very much in the public eye for some time, geology (the rocks, minerals and fossils that are an essential part of our heritage) has been largely overlooked. This is not for a lack of interest by the general public, more a lack of opportunity. Recent media coverage of exceptional fossil finds and popular television programmes have awakened an interest in the general public. However, there are few specialists to feed this interest and, in parts of the country like Buckinghamshire, there is a lack of suitable sites such as old quarries, cliffs or river exposures where people can investigate and explore.
The importance of the project:
This project is of vital importance for several reasons. Firstly, much of the County’s best geology has already been lost to development or landfill. This project does not seek to stop or hinder development, but respects that this is a necessary part of modern life. However, it seeks to ‘preserve by record’ those sites that will soon be lost. Another major part of the project is to select other sites that are suitable for conservation and that could provide long-term public access and enjoyment. But in order to undertake this, the resource must be located, inspected and assessed with sound criteria – hence the need for a thorough audit across the county.
Some site designation under the RIGS scheme (Regionally Interesting Geological and Geomorphological Sites) was undertaken in 1999. This is now out of date and several of these sites are now lost or in a poor state for exposure and accessibility. Having embarked on this small scheme the viability and extent of the subject and the local community enthusiasm has been shown.
Two sites that were conserved (Coombs Quarry and Buckingham Sand Pit) are popular local sites for the local community to enjoy both the geology and the wildlife that has been enhanced. Hence, funding is required for securing further sites which will reduce the overuse of these two excellent localities and extend the programme to being more proactive in outreach activities and develop the community involvement in this work.
The plan is to link this work through audit to a scheme that is being set up in many other counties – the LGAPs (Local Geodiversity Action Plans). This provides not only a good method of assessing Buckinghamshire’s geological resources, but will provide a consistent method of comparing resources between counties – as all counties will use the same quantifying system. The essential elements are that as well as the geological survey this kind of audit provides a value to sites based on various aspects of their character such as rarity, complexity, scientific, historical or other parameters. The audit system is complex and requires the skills of a professional geologist. However, the geologist can give workshops showing interested participants how and why the work was done.
A source of information for LGAPs is:
English Nature Report No. 601 Local Geodiversity Action Plans – sharing good practice Workshop December 2003 (ISSN0967-876X)
The emphasis of the project is getting local people involved in their heritage. There is nothing like the experience of self-discovery as you uncover a previously unseen part of our geological heritage – whether rock, mineral or fossil. Each has its own special story, and our team of knowledgeable volunteers will provide interpretations and encourage people to find out more and to help in the project. Once people have taken part in events such as these, and they have a little more understanding of what amazing events have shaped their local landscapes, a sense of pride in their achievements, as well as their local area develops. From a local community perspective this project offers great value.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
