The project led by Cumbria GeoConservation involved the designation of new local geological sites and the review of existing sites; their interpretation through a range of factsheets, leaflets, panels, websites and a book; and their enjoyment through walks, talks and other events.

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Project Lead: Westmorland Dales Landscape Partnership Delivery Team

The Yorkshire Dale National Park is largely founded on its distinctive geology and the impact this has had on the landscape, wildlife and human settlement of the area. The extension of the  National Park north-westwards further into Cumbria in August 2016 included the Westmorland Dales, an additional area of largely limestone landscape within its boundaries. Although some of the sites within this area were already known for their geology, the area's geology in other ways was overlooked.

This project will help to redress this imbalance. It has already started with the production of an excellent report on the geology of the Westmorland Dales and will deliver a number of additional key elements over the four duration of the scheme:

• Designate a further 11 new Local Geological Sites (LGS) to add to the existing 7 and produce a simple factsheet for each of them; clear and improve access to 6 of these sites using volunteers and apprentices
• Interpret the geology of the area through a range of media including geo-trail leaflets, a geology booklet, interpretation boards, videos and drone footage, and a dedicated Westmorland Dales section on the new Dales Rocks website
• Engage local people, school children and visitors through walks, training events, earth-caching and through the development of an interactive geological model
• Raise the profile of quarries, both in protecting them from inappropriate infilling and maintaining their operation as a source of local stone

The project will be led by the Westmorland Dales team working very closely with Cumbria Geoconservation, a geological consultant, volunteers, apprentices and the Yorkshire Dales National Park.