What is Geodiversity?
Geodiversity is the natural variety of non-living things such as rocks, minerals, fossils, soils, landforms and the natural processes that shape the landscape. It is the stage for life. Geodiversity underpins and complements biodiversity.

National Geodiversity organisations
There is a UK Geodiversity Action Plan and a North West Geodiversity Partnership as well as an English Geodiversity Forum set up in 2013 and a Geodiversity Charter for England (2014).

What is Geoconservation?
Defined as ‘Action taken with the intent of conserving and enhancing geological and geomorphological features, processes, sites and specimens’, (Burek & Prosser, 2008, History of Geoconservation).
Geoconservation is all about caring for biotic nature andremembering that Geodiversity underpins biodiversity. Without healthy geodiversity we cannot sustain healthy biodiversity.

What is a RIGS group?
RIGS groups identify, record, assess and often manage RIGS now known as Local Geodiversity Sites in their area. They recommend sites to Local Authorities for designation as Local Geodiversity Sites. These then are protected in planning law. Most RIGS or Geoconservation groups are members of GeoconservationUK, the national umbrella organisation.