Group Strategy & Activities

Who are we?

Oxfordshire Geology Trust (formerly Oxfordshire RIGS Group) was launched in 2000. We are a non-profit making organisation with two main aims - to protect and conserve geological sites and our landscape, and to raise awareness of the county's rich and varied Earth Heritage and geology. We are the only dedicated geoconservation organisation in Oxfordshire.

We protect locally important sites by surveying and then designating them as RIGS (Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites). The RIGS scheme was launched in 1990 by Nature Conservancy Council, now English Nature. The ideas behind the scheme were that county based groups would survey and designate local sites which are then protected through the planning process just like County Wildlife Sites. OGT has designated almost 50 sites within the county and details of these have been distributed to council planning departments. 

Probably the most important aspect of our work is raising awareness of the value and importance of our geological heritage. The only way that sites will be protected is if people believe that they are worth protecting. OGT runs a series of projects and events aimed at raising awareness both within local communities and other organisations. For examples of our projects and to see what we are up to now visit our project page (click here).

OGT members and local residents visiting a quarry.

The Trust is run by volunteers and a part time paid member of staff. We currently have around 60 members but we are always in need of enthusiastic volunteers be they professional geologists or someone simply interested in their local environment and landscape. You could be involved with a wide range of activities from surveying sites, helping with or leading guided walks, helping to run open days or helping in the office with book keeping or administration tasks. Whatever takes your fancy really! Membership is open to everyone including under 18s and is free of charge.

Geology students examining a SSSI site near Faringdon

The Geological Records Centre

OGT established and runs the Geological Records Centre for the county. As well as keep records of our designated RIGS we also keep records of sites that we have not designated so that we can provide a fuller record of the geology of Oxfordshire. Our records are both paper and electronic and contain a range of information such as maps, photographs, drawings, published reports and other information about sites such as their ecology and history. This information is available to all organisations and individuals including other conservation groups, professional geologists and students, and interested members of the public. We have consulted with a number of organisations such as English Nature and quarry operators on the best way to conserve our geological sites including SSSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest). This partnership is the only way that we can secure our geological heritage for future generations.

BBC Horizon team filming at a quarry in Oxfordshire.

The Geology Trusts

OGT is one of the founding members of The Geology Trusts. The GT comprises seven of the leading Geoconservation organisations in England (Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire, North East Yorkshire, Shropshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and of course Oxfordshire). The main purpose of the organisation is to foster the spread of best practice and offer effective support to all its member organisations. The GT already has an impressive record of achievement. Between the seven counties tens of projects have run over the last 4 years. These projects have allowed us to conserve some of the most important geological and geomorphological sites and have brought our Earth Heritage to the widest possible audience. For further details of The GT and contact details for the other county members see our contacts page.

OGT out and about

OGT takes a guided walk around Faringdon looking

at the local building stones

Daniel Pullen helps to conserve some of our fossils as part of

his year 10 work experience placement with OGT

A memorial to William Smith 'The Father of English Geology' in his birth

village of Churchill,Oxfordshire. This memorial is a designated RIGS.

A joint field trip between OGT and Banbury Ornithological Society looking

at a site that is important both for its geology and local birds