The role of English Nature in fossil excavation

Abstract

English Nature and its predecessor, the Nature Conservancy Council (NCC), have had a long and active association with fossil collecting and fossil excavation. Although the nature of involvement and the reasoning behind it have varied over the years, a strong link between palaeontological conservation and fossil excavation has long been established. In terms of palaeontology and palaeontological conservation, fossil excavation can be both highly beneficial and extremely damaging. English Nature has an important role to play in discouraging irresponsible fossil collecting and excavation, whilst at the same time helping to advance palaeontology and palaeontological conservation through supporting and co-ordinating fossil collecting and excavation carried out at appropriate sites and in a responsible manner.