London Geodiversity Partnership: London Geodiversity Action Plan 2014-2018
The London Geodiversity Partnership has launched a consultation on the revised London Geodiversity Action Plan 2014-2018. The submission produced by The Geological Society of London can be found below. Details of the inquiry along with the Terms of Reference can be found on the London Geodiversity Partnership website.
Submitted 7 February 2014
1. The Geological Society is the UK’s learned and professional body for geoscience, with more than 11,000 Fellows (members) worldwide. The Fellowship encompasses those working in industry, academia and government with a broad range of perspectives on policy-relevant science, and the Society is a leading communicator of this science to government bodies, those in education and non-technical audiences.
2. We welcome and support the publication of the London Geodiversity Action Plan as a comprehensive document which highlights the importance of geodiversity to London’s heritage and provides a detailed framework for understanding and conserving the geodiversity resources of the capital. The Geological Society is not best placed to comment on the detailed content of the consultation document but support the scope and broad aims of the project. We welcome the work of the London Geodiversity Partnership as an important element of geoconservation work in the UK.
3. The Geological Society plays an active role in geoconservation through the work of its Geoconservation Committee. The Aims and Terms of Reference of the Committee are as follows:
Aims
The aim of the Geoconservation Committee is to help conserve the diverse geology and rich geological and geomorphological heritage of the United Kingdom, and to pass it in good order to future generations for their investigation, education and enjoyment.
Terms of Reference
• To promote the conservation of important geological sites and access to them, both within the UK and (through partnerships) worldwide;
• To work with others to promote the sustainable use and value of geological sites as resources for education, training, public enjoyment and especially further scientific research;
• To support initiatives that promote geodiversity, and its importance alongside biodiversity in sustaining ecosystems and ecosystem services;
• To ensure that the Society maintains a coherent policy for geoconservation in the light of national (UK and regional) and international developments;
• To provide guidance on the integration and management of geoconservation activities within the Society;
• To advise Council accordingly through the External Relations Committee.
4. We would be pleased to meet and discuss our work and that of the London Geodiversity Partnership. If the Partnership would find it useful, we would also be happy to invite one of its representatives to attend a meeting of our Geoconservation Committee and introduce the Partnership’s work.