THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK HELPING US MONITOR THE CONDITION OF OUR IMPORTANT CAVE RESOURCE IN DERBYSHIRE -HOWEVER BECAUSE YOU DID SUCH A GOOD JOB THE FIRST TIME – WE NEED YOUR HELP AGAIN – IF YOU WANT TO BE INVOLVED - READ ON.......
Through the excellent work already undertaken by the joint partnership with Derbyshire Caving Association and Natural England, the majority of Derbyshire’s important SSSI underground caves have now had an initial assessment – but we need to continue to have a ‘live record’ of the status of these caves and you can help by the returning the monitoring forms which are provided for free on this website, which enables us to continue to protect and you to continue to enjoy, this valuable underground resource.
In return for your information Natural England are able to provide financial support to DCA which allows them to carry out, not only much needed surface works, but also the acquisition of essential equipment, resulting in benefits for the whole of the caving community in helping to conserve our wonderful systems but ensuring essential works are funded allowing continued safe access. Natural England has a statutory duty to report on the condition of this protected (SSSI) underground resource in Derbyshire Staffordshire many by the end of March 2010- see caves in bold/red on the monitoring area of the website – so please help us by getting those forms returned.......
How you can help:
It’s really important that you return your forms to Dave Webb - DCA his address is on base of forms, or by email-
In return we hope to be able to post on the website those that have been monitored and so you will be able to see your progress.
When taking part in a trip within any of the caves listed on this website ensure you take a form underground with you and post back to Dave ASAP. (We really don’t mind how covered in mud it is!)
Please feel free to make comments on anything you see underground – including suggestions for clean- up work or anything about the features or general environment that you think we should know about.
Thank you for all you good work which will ensure we keep our SSSI caves in good condition and recreational caving safe in Derbyshire.
Welcome to the Peak District SSSI Cave Conservation Monitoring Scheme’s own website.
The Site.
This site has been set up to facilitate communication between Natural England (formerly English Nature) and Peak District Cavers on the administration of the Scheme, and to enable cavers to have access to the most up to date version of the Monitoring Forms and surveys that are available for cave sites within our seven geological (Cave) SSSIs. It is hoped that the site will further serve to publicise the Scheme and highlight the importance of maintaining up to date records on the condition of our scheduled caves and mines.
Here you can find:-
Cave surveys highlighting areas of particular interest in each cave from a scientific and conservation point of view.
Cave Monitoring Forms for cavers to complete to let us know of the condition of and any changes to the features highlighted on the surveys. (Whether good or bad.)
The Scheme.
The Peak District SSSI Cave Conservation Monitoring Scheme, to give it its full title, was set up in 2002 in order to regularly monitor geologically important features such as cave sediments, mineralisation, speleothems and unique passage shapes. Approximately 75% of known cave passage in the UK is located within designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).
Natural England is the government agency in England which has a statutory responsibility for the designation and conservation of SSSIs. Regular underground monitoring is an important part of cave conservation. Natural England uniquely work in partnership with the regional councils such as the DCA, and many local cavers have responded to the challenge to monitor and be responsible for their own environment.
The Peak District’s seven geological (Cave) SSSI areas are monitored as follows:
A list of special cave (and cave/mine) sites in each SSSI is prepared by Natural England with the help of a qualified geologist who decides which of the features within each site needs to be monitored and why. Local volunteer cavers or clubs are appointed to take responsibility for each SSSI and report on the condition, or changes in the condition of features in the caves in their patch. They also coordinate the field work, and forward completed monitoring forms to the DCA Conservation Officer for collation. The Conservation officer also deals with any queries before sending them on to the local office of Natural England.
Some important points:
1. Recording and completion of forms must only be done as part of a normal caving trip
2. Features of interest in cave SSSIs have been selected primarily for their scientific value and not necessarily their aesthetic appearance. Hence, a much-abused muddy speleothem on a tourist route may not look important but can still provide evidence of ancient climatic conditions and the timing of cave development. Similarly cave sediments, otherwise known as mud, provide a great deal of information to the scientist and should be treated with respect.
3. The scheme provides valuable information to Natural England (formerly English Nature), who in return have provided funding through DCA to enable cavers to maintain entrances and complete much-needed clean-up. The SSSI Project officer (Natural England) &, Area Coordinators meet twice yearly to provide feedback, discuss and prioritise conservation issues in their agreed areas.
The scheme can only operate successfully with your help.
Any queries relating to any of the Cave Forms or other issues relating to the Peak District SSSI Cave Conservation Monitoring Scheme please contact:
Natural England Jo Poll - Conservation Advisor. Peak to Trent Team, Endcliffe, Deepdale Business Park, Ashford Road, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1GT. Tel: 0300 060 1781 E-mail:
DCA (The Derbyshire Caving Association) Dave Webb – DCA Conservation Officer Tel: 0115 8401109 E-mail:
If you have any queries about or suggestions for the web site, please contact:
The Site. 