Volunteering with CGG

If you want to become involved in conserving Cornwall’s geology and landscape you can help the Cornwall Geoconservation Group in a number of different ways.

Supporting events

If you care about conserving Cornwall’s geology and landscape, please let us know. A good initial introduction to the group is to support our walks and talks. They are open to all and you are always welcome.

Keeping us updated

Report any threats or actual damage to geological sites (particularly Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and County Geology Sites (RIGS). If it is safe to do so, gather photographic evidence. Temporary exposures, due to building or other works, can reveal geology not seen before. If you see this let us know and if possible take a photograph (ideally with a scale - a human will do!).

Proposing new geological sites

Help to preserve an area by proposing a site that you think should be conserved for future generations. The Crousa Gravels County Geology Site was proposed by a local community.

Photographing County Geology sites

Only one third of County Geology Sites have been photographed and many of these are just snapshots rather than showing particular features or site boundaries. We need volunteers with previous geological field experience and an ability to work independently to photograph County Geology Sites.

Annotated photographs illustrating the geological interest on the site, the location within the site and the condition of the site are particularly valuable - we have included some of these annotated photographs in this website.

For those with less geological experience but familiarity with annotating software, we have a large number of photographs that still need annotation and many that need labelling.

Assessing educational sites

Cornwall, with its rich and varied geological and geomorphological heritage, offers excellent opportunities for interpretation and educational use. Cornwall Cornwall Geoconservation Group is keen to develop the educational side of County Geology Sites. We need volunteers to research the National Curriculum and higher education syllabuses and use this information to reassess the educational potential of our current sites. Many Cornish schools use local geological sites, and many colleges and universities visit Cornwall for fieldwork. 

Monitoring sites

Many sites need an occasional monitoring visit to assess the condition of the feature of interest and the access to the site. We need someone with previous geological field experience to undertake this task. Historically we have operated with someone in each of Cornwall's districts (prior to Cornwall becoming a unitary authority in 2009) taking responsibility for monitoring and reporting on local issues: we still find this useful and welcome people to be a "District Correspondent” or share responsibility for a district..

Managing sites

Volunteers are needed to attend working parties to clear vegetation at various sites.

Generally.....

If you are a professional or retired geologist, geomorphologist, petrologist, palaeontologist or pedologist and want to keep your hand in, please contact us to explore how you can help. We currently meet on-line, via Zoom, but also individually monitor and manage sites.