Natural England

Ask people to describe the Yorkshire Dales and they will probably mention the dramatic landscapes, dry stone walls and bustling market towns like Hawes. However, beneath those hills lie huge natural caverns containing a valuable network of geological features, including ancient rivers and streams, stalagmites and ancient sands and gravels that can give important information about past climate change.

Many of the most important features within the Yorkshire Dales, over and underground, are classed as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Natural England is the organisation which is responsible for identifying and protecting these sites.

It is thought that there are around 4,000 hectares of land underground that are covered by geological features. Ease Gill Cavern, where a trial is taking place, is thought to be the longest cave system in Britain. The clues to the region’s Prehistoric past lie hidden in the labyrinth of ancient underground streams and sediments in this and other caves.

The majority of this land has never been assessed. This is because of the Health and Safety implications involved with people working underground. Natural England has teamed up with the Red Rose Cave and Pothole Club to assess the condition of underground features in the Yorkshire Dales.

Natural England has given the club funding of £1,000.00 to pay for the computer equipment they will need when carrying out assessment work. Initially the project is to run for 1 year, but if it is successful it could be extended to a further two years. The area covered by the project includes the Yorkshire Dales and Nidderdale.

Ray Duffy of the Red Rose Cave and Pothole Club said:
Opportunities like this don’t come along that often, so we jumped at the chance to get involved. Much of the work they have asked us to do is common practice for us. As dedicated cavers we are constantly assessing the condition of the different geological features, so it’s pleasing to know we are playing our part.

Phil Eckersley of Natural England said:
The truly amazing effort which the members of the Red Rose Cave and Pothole Club have put into cave research and survey over nearly 40 years is a fantastic data resource and we foresee working with cavers in this and other areas in Northern England to protect these often unique natural features and show how special they really are.

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Note for Editors

For photographs and further information, contact Howard Botting on 01609 767439 howard.botting@naturalengland.org.uk or Emma MacDonald on 0113 2303533 emma.macdonald@naturalengland.org.uk We have a selection of digital photographs to accompany the story. These show members of the Red Rose Cave and Pothole Club with the different geological features found underground. These can be made available upon request, we have full descriptions to accompany them.

Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings. We increase opportunities to make the natural environment an enriching part of people’s everyday lives, and improve its long term security by contributing to the sustainable management of our natural resources. http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)
Natural England is the organisation who is responsible for looking after England’s Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). They are working hard to bring 95% of all SSSIs into favourable condition by area by 2010. SSSIs represent our best sites for wildlife and geology. Well over half, by area, are internationally important and many play an important part in local culture and economies or provide wonderful opportunities for people to enjoy wildlife and landscape. The national wildlife and geological features of SSSIs are irreplaceable parts of our national heritage.