Bedfordshire and Luton Geology Group exists in order to encourage an understanding of the geodiversity of the county. Geodiversity simply refers to the wide variety of rocks, minerals, fossils, landforms and soils, along with the natural processes that shape the landscape and it therefore provides the framework for life on Earth and underpins biodiversity.

Recognising that there is much more to our geological heritage than is captured in the nationally recognised SSSIs, we have identified further sites that are of regional significance. These are called Regionally Important Geodiversity Sites (RIGS) and are places that reveal our geological past and are considered important enough to deserve conservation. They include a wide variety of sites, such as disused quarries, natural exposures, old buildings that preserve important stonework, landforms such as the Chalk downs, or rivers such as the Ouzel. They are particularly valuable for education purposes and for the most part they should be widely accessible and safe to visit. Whilst RIGS sites do not enjoy the same level of statutory protection afforded to SSSIs, they are recognised by Local Authorities, the Forestry Commission and by Natural England (the statutory nature conservation body of England) and are included in planning documents so that every effort is made to preserve them.

We organise a series of field trips during the summer months, evening events during the winter months, site clearance projects, produce pamphlets and undertake public outreach events in local libraries, schools, river festivals and so on. We are also working with local schools to try and encourage children to get into the field, to handle rocks and soils, to look at the landscape and to ask about our natural environment.

If you want to find out more about the Group and it's aims, how we can help you or just to come on one of the events then please contact us via the group Secretary: -

You may like to read about our history or our constitution.

For the mutual benefit of our organisations' aims, we are affiliated with the Bedfordshire Natural History Society.

Lottery Heritage Initiative funding assisted with the setting up of the B&LGG and the identification and documentation of RIGS throughout the county. DEFRA's Aggregate Levy Sustainability Fund assisted with some of our leafets and the initial construction of our web site.