What ES2k has achieved: 2000 - 2001

This is a summary of the points made by outgoing Chairperson, William Lynn, at the ES2k AGM (17 September 2001):

20 September 2000: Inaugural Meeting in Ulster Museum, 26 attendees. Constitution agreed, first Committee elected, action plans discussed.

Committee meetings held:
1 November 2000, QUB
31 January 2001, UU Coleraine
21 May 2001, OU, Belfast
16 August 2001, Portrush Countryside Centre

Publicity:
October 2000 press release printed by: Belfast Geologists' Society, Irish Quaternary Association, Irish Geological Association, Earth Science Teachers' Association, Edinburgh Geological Society.
Newspaper articles mentioning ES2k: Larne Times, 2 Derry newspapers, Ballymena Guardian.
Magazine articles: Geoscientist, Earth Heritage, Irish Scientist Yearbook

ES2k promotion at events:
February: Irish Geological Research Meeting, Coleraine
April: Rocky Road Show, Ulster Museum
June: Geology Alumni Celebration Event, Queen's University Belfast

magazines issued:
1. September 2000 - 250 copies
2. November 2000 - 250 copies
3. March 2001 - 1200 copies
4. October 2001 - 1500 copies?

Website development: steady expansion

Funding and sponsorship:
Geologists' Association Curry Fund (December 2000)
Environment & Heritage Service (April 2001)
Geological Society (May 2001)
ISME, IGI.2

Summary of ES2k AGM, 17 September 2001, Ulster Museum

The AGM was attended by 23 members. Apologies were received from 13 members. Copies were provided of the Minutes of the Inaugural Meeting held on 17 September 2000 and of the Constitution adopted at that meeting.

Review of ES2k activity since the Inaugural Meeting in September 2000
Introduction: Highlights of the year 2000 - 2001 - William Lynn (Chairperson) (detailed above)

Membership report: Norman Moles (Secretary). Individual membership has grown during the year to reach 122, double the number who participated in the meeting in February 2000 that led to the establishment of ES2k. Two-thirds of current members (82) had provided email addresses. In terms of geographical distribution, 70% of members' addresses are in Northern Ireland, 17% in the Republic of Ireland and 4% in Great Britain. ES2k should aim to increase membership in the west of the Province and in adjacent counties of the Republic of Ireland.

Financial report: Arlëne Hunter (Treasurer). Copies of the Income and Expenditure Account (as of 17 September 2001) were made available. Income came from a grant (Curry Fund), sponsorship (IGI, Geological Society), institutional/corporate membership (ISME, IGA) and individual membership donations. Expenditure was mainly related to printing and distribution of the magazine. The EHS had agreed to provide grant-aid of an amount equal to other raised income, up to a ceiling of ST£2,000 per annum for 3 years. The Geological Society sponsorship (ST£500 per annum) is also guaranteed income for 3 years. The income obtained to date will enable ES2k to continue its planned activities, although further sponsorship and institutional/corporate membership is highly desirable and will be essential by 2004.

magazine: Tony Bazley (magazine Editor). Three magazines had been compiled and distributed: issue 1 in September 2000 (250 copies); issue 2 in November 2000 (250 copies); and issue 3 in March 2001 (1200 copies). Issue 3 was printed commercially in full colour and appears to have been very successful. Issue 4 is due to be published in early October 2001. The first advert and an insert have been purchased. 1500 copies will be printed and distributed to individuals and organisations, including Countryside Centres and similar sites throughout the north of Ireland. A satisfying number and range of articles have been supplied and some will be held over for publication in issue 5. The magazine Editor requested material for subsequent issues, particularly 'snippets' of information about people, events and sites of interest, especially from the border counties.

Website development: Jasper Knight (Website Editor). The ES2k website now contains over 50 web pages. The main feature is an interactive north-of-Ireland map with links to photographs and short descriptions of sites of geological interest in each county. The site also has an events list, book and website reviews and links to other sites, such as the Queen's University Geology Alumni site. We plan to continue to extend the counties section, coverage of news and information, and links to and from other organisations.

Medium-term development of ES2k (2-3 years):
Introduction by Jasper Knight. At recent meetings, ES2k committee members had discussed several directions in which ES2k activity could extend in the next 5 years. Four principal themes had been identified: (1) Development of a geological field studies centre. (2) Greater integration with other organisations. (3) Development of a RIGS (Regionally Important Geological/Geomorphological Sites) scheme for Northern Ireland. (4) Fostering of media links.

1. Development of a geological field studies centre
Several field studies centres already exist in the north of Ireland, for example those near Milligan and Derrygonnelly. They are used by schools, universities and other groups. The emphasis is often on ecology. It is proposed that ES2k should aim to promote geological teaching and support at these centres, and assess the need for a separate centre focused on geology.

Future work will be directed to (i) liaise with existing centres and investigate their provision of geology, (ii) provide further support where appropriate, and (iii) investigate possible development opportunities and funding sources for a separate geological field studies centre.

2. Greater integration with other organisations
Many organisations in the north of Ireland have an interest in the environment and Earth sciences, e.g. the Ulster Wildlife Trust (UWT). These organisations already operate study centres/visitors' centres. It is proposed that ES2k should aim to increase public awareness of geological issues at these sites. This could be achieved through the provision of posters, leaflets, guides, geological walks, and information boards. In effect, ES2k would 'piggy-back' on existing facilities to raise public awareness of the Earth sciences.

Future work will be directed to (i) liaise with interested groups, (ii) investigate/pilot collaborative schemes at some sites, and (iii) produce a database of geological information at study/visitors' centres.

3. Development of a RIGS scheme for NI
The Earth Science Conservation Review (ESCR) in Northern Ireland has identified an upper tier of key Earth science sites that have been, or will be, designated as ASSIs. The identification of second tier sites of local interest (Sites of Local Nature Conservation Importance, SLNCI) is currently contracted to the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, to be reported in Spring 2002. It would be appropriate for such sites to be managed and promoted by local groups of enthusiastic individuals, i.e. RIGS groups.

It is proposed that ES2k should aim to (a) use the final list of SLNCI as a starting point for a RIGS scheme for NI, (b) develop local management, conservation, interpretation and publicity strategies for key sites, and (c) monitor development of sites in a local context.

Future work will be directed to (i) identify individuals/groups who would be willing to become involved in a RIGS scheme (this may include members of the Belfast Geologists' Society, universities, schools, Conservation Volunteers, Scouts etc.); (ii) implement an 'Adopt-a-Site' scheme in local areas; (iii) liaise with RIGS groups in Great Britain to gain from their experiences; and (iv) identify possible funding sources.

4. Fostering of media links
ES2k believes that there is insufficient reporting of local geological/environmental issues in the media, which gives rise to poor public awareness of these issues. It is vitally important that decision-makers are informed of geological/environmental issues especially where they influence site development.

It is proposed that ES2k should promote geological/ES issues in local areas through regional correspondents who will look out for local issues, monitor and inform ES2k and local newspapers etc. Future work will be directed to list environmental correspondents and contacts for local and national media, and be more pro-active in responding to news events, press releases etc.

There was then an open discussion about the points raised.

Any proposed alterations to the Constitution
No proposed alterations had been notified to the Secretary, and no proposals were raised by participants at the meeting.

Nominations for and election of Committee members for 2001/02
Norman Moles was proposed and elected as Chairperson. Arlëne Hunter was proposed and elected as Treasurer for a second year. Mark Kelly was proposed and elected as Secretary. Greta McCarron was recommended for a co-opted position on the committee.

Guest speaker presentation
The guest speaker, Mick Stanley (Earth Sciences Manager for the Royal Society for Nature Conservation) gave a presentation on the topic Geodiversity: popularising geology.

The ES2k Committee wish to thank the Ulster Museum for support in providing the venue for the meeting and refreshments. The refreshments were paid for by the Museum's Geology Department.