Sorry, Angus, I cant get sound today.

Hugh

Try leaving and rejoining Hugh - sometimes works!

Me neither

Shetland missing!

How does this all link to the GeoConservation Reviews which were published a few years ago and are excellent sources? Although they are not all online.

Of the 32 local planning authorities across Scotland, any idea how many have carried out an Geodiversity Audit and produced a Geodiversity Action Plan ?

Might seem a silly question, but how do we know what our area is?

Happy to chat about the GCR if required.

40 GCR sites in Shetland

If anyone needs to contact me about anything my email is lesley.dunlop@northumbria.ac.uk

Doesn't public value depend on the current sympathy in society for geodiversity? "They're just rocks afterall" I hear politicians cry.

It’s a pity, yes, but it begs the question of how useful site designations are. The vast majority of GCR sites are for “academic” aspects, but how many are there that inform about resources, or carbon cycling, for example? These are key aspects of modern geoscience education and crucial for the future of society.

I recently visited two sites in the Cheviots on firing ranges - one had a large target in front of it - both SSSIs

Picking up on Simon's point I think this is where the local designations can be really important in raising this aspect as well

Is there any liaison or contact with Police Wildlife liaison officers? It may be worth approaching Forces to highlight the importance of Geoconservation/geodiversity to them and see if they could assist in protecting SSSIs as well as tackling issues such as fly tipping. If nothing more than putting it on their radar it could provide an early indication of danger to important sites

That is a good thought I am not aware of any contact in England but not sure if that happened in Scotland - particarly wrt to Skye which does have further protection legislation. Thanks

There are no Geological WHS in Scotland.

I always thought that the Geosites project served just to make it even more inaccessible to the ordinary person! Seemed to be more about keeping it remote and elite etc. Pity as it could have been a useful resource.

https://www.scotland.police.uk/advice-and-information/wildlife-crime/

Wildlife Crime is any illegal act in Scotland affecting certain birds, animals, and plants including their habitats. It includes the illegal disturbance, destruction, theft, and sale of animals and plants both in the countryside and urban areas, and also the damage and destruction of protected habitats. Wildlife Crime poses significant harm to the species targeted by the criminals, as well as the communities who rely on wildlife for employment and tourism.Some examples of types of Wildlife Crime include:Damage to Sites of Special Scientific InterestThe disturbance of sea mammalsIllegal use of traps and snaresIllegal cockle pickingRemoval of birds nests from the eves of houses at certain times of the year.

Biodiversity people often can't understand how small geological sites are as they work on larger connections - so it is worth thinking about widening out and not being apologetic

In Scotland, if a LGS is in a Local Development Plan then it should have a degree of protection if a planning application i

If anyone wants to contact me, my email is i.g.stimpson@keele.ac.uk

One thing I have found with National Park volunteers and staff is that they often lack confidence in talking about the geo aspect so have done a few training sessions for them in England - this works well