From GeoWestMidlands

West Midlands Geodiversity Partnership

Contents 1 Local Geodiversity Work In The West Midlands Region 1.1 Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark 1.2 Black Country LGAP 1.3 Herefordshire LGAP 1.4 Shropshire LGAP 1.5 Staffordshire LGAP 1.5.1 LGAP Aim: 1.5.2 Objectives: 1.6 Warwickshire LGAP 1.6.1 LGAP Aim: 1.6.2 Themes: 1.7 Worcestershire LGAP 1.7.1 LGAP progress:

Local Geodiversity Work In The West Midlands Region

The West Midlands is the first region to have a launched or developing LGAPs in each of its constituent counties. The following local action plans for geodiversity are in existence and are guiding work in each of the counties. For more information contact the local groups listed below

Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust received an EN Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund grant in 2005 to fund 3 ‘mini’ LGAPs for the Teme Valley, May Hill and Bridgnorth area. Although in 2008 the geopark withdrew its membership of the European geoparks network.

Black Country LGAP

Black Country Geological Society received funding from EN to initiate development of a Black Country LGAP. An EN Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund grant was awarded to develop the aggregate specific actions of the Black Country Geodiversity Action Plan. The plan was launched in July 2006.

Herefordshire LGAP

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust initiated an LGAP process for Herefordshire in 2005 with EN funding support. They are currently consulting on the scoping document for the LGAPs.

Shropshire LGAP

Shropshire Council, Shropshire Geological Society and the Shropshire Wildlife Trust have collaborated with other geological stakeholders to prepare the LGAP for the County, published in 2007. LGAP Aim: to promote a wider understanding of the issues and opportunities affecting geological sites and resources within the County, establishing a coherent framework within which actions to protect and promote the county’s rich geological heritage can be identified and progressed.

This LGAP for Shropshire is presented in four main sections:

1. Geoconservation and access
2. Knowledge and understanding
3. Interpretation and geotourism
4. Delivering SGAP actions

Each section includes a series of objectives which are divided in turn into a series of detailed actions. There are 30 objectives and 79 actions, details of which are given in the documentation which is available at:

• http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/planning.nsf/open/EEE885581E0DAEF280257516003D64B6

Staffordshire LGAP

Production of the Staffordshire LGAP was lead by the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, and built on their success in developing the Biodiversity Action Plan. Funding from EN’s ASLF fund, commencing 2002, enabled them to employ a Geodiversity Officer (Laura Cox) to co-ordinate the plan. The Steering Group was chaired by the County Council, and included: EN, Staffs RIGs Group, Keele University, BGS, Hanson, Tarmac etc. There was wide consultation (c36 consultees) and the LGAP was launched in 2004.

LGAP Aim:

• Protection and promotion of the geodiversity of Staffordshire

Objectives:

• Partnership and involvement
• Evaluation and geodiversity audit
• Conservation and management
• Education and site use

Warwickshire LGAP

The Warwickshire LGAP was produced by the Warwickshire County Council's Museum Service and the Warwickshire Geological Conservation Group. EN funded the appointment of a Geodiversity Officer. Phase 1 (November 2002-January 2003) was an LGAP pilot project, to scope the LGAP, which established 5 themes. A local consultative partnership was established, and further funding sources were researched, for production of a full Warwickshire LGAP. In 2004, a sub-action plan was developed for Permian-Triassic non-marine fossil localities. NE now has a small contract with the WGCG to pull together existing work on the development of a Warwickshire GAP. This should have two outputs – a draft Warwickshire LGAP which can then go to a wider consultation in the spring and, secondly, a leaflet which briefly explores the geodiversity of Warwickshire. (BGS are also contributing towards this process with staff time).

LGAP Aim:

• to explore pathways to providing a co-ordinated strategic approach (LGAP) to Warwickshire’s museum and local geology group based geoconservation provision.

Themes:

• timetabled action plan for conservation of county sites
• Provision of an area-based framework for the action plans
• Greater geoconservation input within local plans
• Schemes to enable identification of sensitive geological features
• Schemes to monitor temporary exposures

Worcestershire LGAP

LGAP progress:

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust initiated an LGAP process for Worcestershire in 2005 with EN funding support. They are currently consulting on the scoping document for the LGAP.

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