Geological sites and landforms are protected in the same way as important biological sites. Nationally important locations are listed as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSls) while RIGS are sites of regional importance.

Lancashire RIGS Group was set up in 1991. The Group works particularly closely with English Nature, Lancashire County Council, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, The Environment Agency and United Utilities plc. Our work is co-ordinated with other RIGS groups nationally through The Association of UK RIGS Groups.

Membership is welcomed from anyone interested in geoconservation and you do not need to be a trained geologist: we can use a wide variety of skills from typing to managing a database or helping to prepare educational materials. We meet monthly at the offices of Lancashire Wildlife Trust in Bamber Bridge, Preston.

What do we do?

There are three strands to our work:

• Identifying, surveying and recording geological sites and landforms
• Selection, designation and conservation of RIGS
• Promoting awareness, understanding and appreciation of Lancashire’s geology and scenery

Over 700 sites have been investigated in the county and of these approximately 100 have been designated as RIGS so far, together with a small number of new SSSIs.