Student involvement with the regionally important geomorphological site (RIGS) scheme: an opportunity to learn geomorphology and gain transferable skills

Abstract

This paper outlines student involvement with a conservation project which aims to develop a Regionally Important Geological/Geomorphological Site network (RIGS) at a county level in the UK. The local RIGS scheme is administered through the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust under the auspices of English Nature. The teaching initiative has used the RIGS scheme as a framework to support extended open‐ended project work with a large element of self‐direction for undergraduate honours physical geography students. The learning project has been incorporated in a module on geomorphological management within the Department of Geography and Geology, Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education (CGCHE). Students are actively involved in implementing the aims and objectives of RIGS. Particular emphasis is placed on identifying, describing, evaluating and documenting landforms of primarily educational, research, historical and/or aesthetic value at a regional level. The focus is on landform sites which represent good examples of the different geomorphological process domains represented in Gloucestershire. Sites are also identified where further documentation/research is needed to enhance educational interest. The paper identifies the nature of student involvement in the different stages in the project (preparation; site selection and evaluation; site documentation), associated learning outcomes (including transferable skill development) and the improvement to the teaching and learning environment.

Keywords:

• Geomorphology
• transferable skills
• environmental management
• nature conservation