Geological Conservation In Dorset

• Dorset's Important Geological Sites Group (DIGS)
• How to contact DIGS

Dorset's Important Geological Sites Group

Quarr Lane open space, Sherborne

DERC holds about 800 records of sites of geological interest in Dorset. The records are a combination of literature search and fieldwork. There are over 40 SSSI's, including the whole coastline, and over 60 Regionally Important Geological Sites (RIGS) that are mostly inland.

The primary task of the Dorset's Important Geological Sites (DIGS) group has been to select sites for conservation. The sites were visited by a group of members for assessment as possible RIGS using the following criteria:

• scientific importance
• educational value
• ease of access
• historic significance

Ownership of the site is determined together with the local contacts if neccessary. Then, only with the owner's permission, the site can be nominated for designation. With a map and description, RIGS are incorporated in the District Local Plans alongside SNCI's.

Thorncombe sands at Shutes Lane, Symondsbury

Sites will require management; in some cases the clearance of the rock faces needs heavy machinery, in others the removal of decades of vegetation growth. An old quarry face has been re-exposed to show the Forest Marble at Wanderwell quarry. This RIGS is within West Dorset District Council's Local Nature Reserve near Bockhampton. West Dorset has also cleared the old quarry face of Inferior Oolite Rubbly Beds in Quarr Lane open space at Sherborne (above, right). Additionally, in the carpark and picnic site at Rockpit Farm (Maiden Newton), the old working face has been cleared to expose the Lower Chalk - Upper Greensand junction. All these are excellent examples of co-operation between DIGS and the District Council. The first and third of these sites have information boards in place, and a board is in preparation for the Sherborne site.

In Purbeck and West Dorset the National Trust has been working with DIGS to make their RIGS sites more accessible and visible to the general public, such as Shutes Lane, Symondsbury (above, left). Many other landowners are equally helpful in supporting DIGS' efforts to bring the knowledge of earth science to a wider audience.

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Contact details for Dorset's Important Geological Sites Group (DIGS):

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