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| Protected Sites |
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| Coast to coast - collecting fossils from
Dorset to Yorkshire |
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| The Jurassic coasts of Dorset and North
Yorkshire are among the richest fossil resources in the country. Fossil
collecting is extremely popular as countless fossils are eroded from
the cliffs and, unless collected, many would be lost to the sea. However,
without proper care and attention, the scientific value of fossils
can be damaged or destroyed. |
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| Dorset's Jurassic Coast Project |
| To address the management of the fossil
resource on the Dorset Coast, a fossil collecting code of conduct
and fossil recording scheme has been piloted as part of the Jurassic
Coast Project. The Code of Conduct promotes best and safest practice
encouraging collecting from the beach. Most innovative, however, has
been the establishment of the fossil recording scheme. Fossils have
been categorised according to their scientific value and rarity, and
collectors are encouraged to centrally register their rarest finds
at the Charmouth Coastal Heritage Centre. A photographic record is
placed on a web-based
database, which museums and researchers are being encouraged to
view. |
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| This scheme not only promotes best practice
but also aims to increase the communication between collector and
researcher - a key to the successful management of any fossil resource.
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| Yorkshire's Dinosaur Coast Project |
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| In Yorkshire, the Dinosaur Coast Project
has recently been established to conserve and promote the geological
resource. Promotion will be through geological activities such as
walks and workshops and the production of a popular geology guide
to the coastal area, together with site based interpretation and displays.
Taking a lead from Dorset, collecting guidance has been established
and a fossil registration scheme is also being investigated, with
the hope of bringing together the local network of museums, collectors
and land managers. |
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The cliffs at Charmouth, part of the
West Dorset Coast SSSI are renowned for the range and quality of fossils
which they have yielded. |
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| Photo: Jonathan Larwood,
Natural England. |
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