Up until 2006, there were over 20 terms to describe locally important sites, including Regionally Important Geodiversity Sites (RIGS), Local Nature Reserves (LNRs), County Geological Sites, Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation and Conservation Areas. In 2006 Defra published a guidance to recommend that the term 'Local Site', which may be sub-divided into 'Local Wildlife Site' or 'Local Geological Site', should be used as a standard term to promote a more common understanding of site identification, selection and management.

Local geological sites have a number of benefits, including:

• providing protection for locally important geological sites;
• increasing public awareness, understanding and enjoyment of rocks, fossils, minerals and landscape;
• providing an environment for people to learn about their local geology;
• forming a focus for partnerships between local authorites, conservation organisations and local people;
• permitting positive management of the geological resource.

For more information about Local Sites, go to:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/ewd/local-sites/index.htm

Two of the more common terms, which are still generally employed, are described below:

Local Nature Reserves (LNRs)
A Local Nature Reserve is a place with special local natural interest, set up to protect nature, and for people to enjoy and appreciate. Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) can be all sorts of places – woodlands, wetlands, meadows or coastal sand dunes. They provide wild spaces where plants and animals, both common and rare, can thrive. They offer a natural environment, in contrast with formal open green spaces such as parks and gardens, but are still readily accessible to people. LNRs can be near city centres, on the coast, or in the countryside.

Geological LNRs can be declared on exisiting SSSIs, RIGS or sites of known local geological interest. Sites might include disused quarries or railway cuttings, road or canal cuttings, natural outcrops and landscape features.

Regionally Important Geodiversity Sites (RIGS)
Regionally Important Geodiversity Sites (RIGS) were established in 1990 by the Nature Conservancy Council (NCC) and continue to be actively supported by the UK statutory conservation agencies.

RIGS are designated by locally developed criteria and are currently the most important places for geology and geomorphology outside statutorily protected land such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) – they underpin and complement the SSSI coverage. The designation of RIGS is one way of recognising and protecting important Earth science and landscape features for future generations to enjoy.

RIGS do not have formal statutory protection in the same way as SSSIs. However, the RIGS groups notify the local planning authorities of the RIGS which have been declared in their area and encourage the local authority to protect the RIGS through the planning process. For example, RIGS can be listed on local authorities' development plans.

RIGS are selected by voluntary local RIGS groups, which are generally formed by county or by unitary authority area in England. There are now more than 50 local RIGS groups in the UK. UKRIGS is an association of RIGS groups, overseeing the RIGS scheme on a national basis. Some former RIGS groups now use the term 'geology trusts' under an umbrella organisation called the Geology Trusts.

Sites homepage

AONBs

GCR sites

Local Sites - LNRs and RIGS

National Nature Reserves

National Parks

SSSIs