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More > RIGS
In Scotland:
RIGS in Scotland: Conserving and interpreting Scotland's 'other
special sites'
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is the government agency responsible for
the conservation and enhancement of the Scotland's natural heritage, which
includes rocks fossils minerals, landforms and dynamic coastal and river
systems.
Conservation and interpretation of these
elements of the natural heritage is based largely upon the statutory
network of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Geological and
Geomorphological SSSI represent the 'best of the best' of Scotland's
Earth heritage, examples of these special sites are highlighted throughout
this website in one section or another.
Quarry landfill, afforestation, quarrying, building development and
the modification of natural dynamic systems are some of the many threats
that can face sites of geological and geomorphological importance across
Scotland. Although SNH is taking care of the nationally and internationally
network of statutory sites, there is the clear need for geoconservation
and interpretation of the unprotected elements of the Earth heritage,
that have regional and local significance. Regionally Important
Geological / Geomorphological Sites (RIGS) groups offer the best
chance of conserving, enhancing and interpreting regionally important
sites, Scotland's other special sites, that have no statutory protection.
It is hoped that these pages will stimulate wider interest among
enthusiasts in Scotland to join or set
up and run a
RIGS group and help interpret and conserve these other
special sites.
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