3 Protecting & enhancing

Protecting & enhancing our geodiversity resources

Many of the most important features of Norfolk's Earth heritage are conserved in a variety of protected sites and areas. However they may still be subject to various threats, and even statutorily protected sites and features may be at risk.

The Norfolk Geodiversity Partnership has a conservation and enhancement programme. This work involves using the results of the geodiversity audit and a schedule of geoconservation priorities to identify the significant sites and features in the county. In partnership with their owners, some of these may be designated as County Geodiversity Sites.

Other work includes monitoring the condition of designated sites, recording temporary geological sections, and developing practical resources for geoconservation such as enlisting volunteer help. We need to explore new approaches to protecting geodiversity assets in the wider environment, away from designated sites.

Please contact us if you have a geological site on your land, and you would like to know more about it. We would be happy to visit you and discuss how best voluntarily to conserve its features.

Geoconservation priorities

A statement of priorities for conserving Norfolk's geodiversity has been drafted to guide our programme of action. 'Priorities for Geoconservation in Norfolk’ is intended as a resource for policy makers and those carrying out Environmental Impact Assessment, and may serve as a checklist for use in the validation of planning applications.

Please download a PDF copy by clicking on the blue arrow icon at the bottom of this page, and send us your comments.

The dry valley at Ringstead Downs is a former glacial meltwater channel, now designated as a SSSI.

Photo © British Geological Survey / NERC P210717

Marine erosion has exposed an important glacial feature in Sidestrand cliffs: rafts of chalk thrust up into overlying glacial till.

Photo Martin Warren

Recording a temporary exposure of the Norwich Crag Basement Bed at Caister St Edmund Chalk Pit.

Photo Tim Holt-Wilson

Click PDF link below to download files