Citizen science - get involved!
Charmouth beach on the Jurassic Coast is a well-known fossil hunting destination.
There are many ways to develop your interest in geology and palaeontology in your neighbourhood, and in the process you could help conserve Britain’s fantastic and diverse geological heritage.
You don’t need to be an expert to join in. Many organisations lay on events for all ages and levels of expertise, including guided walks, talks and activity days.
Follow the links below to discover more about how you could get involved.
British and Irish societies
There is a comprehensive list of local and national organisations on Nature Societies Online that are involved with learning about:
Search Nature Societies Online for natural history societiesGeological organisations involved with learning about local geology and natural history are also listed on the Geologists' Association website.
List of local Geologists' Association groupsRockwatch is a nationwide club for young people interested in rocks, fossils, minerals and landscape.
Other useful websites and places to visit
- Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre is a good place to visit for information on fossil hunting trips as well as the geology and palaeontology of the area.
- GeoConservationUK is a useful site for information on local sites and their conservation.
- UK Fossils Network is an interesting site relating to fossil collecting.
- Chalk East raises awareness of the importance of Chalk geodiversity to the landscape and economy of the East of England region.
- The Rotunda, the William Smith Museum of Geology
- The Bristol Dinosaur Project
Further information about the biology and geology of local areas in the UK can be found by searching the web for environmental records centres.
There are also a number of natural history centres around the UK which can provide introductions to the local environment.