I spent years writing about nature conservation and wildlife and reporting on environmental projects in towns and cities. While researching an article about The Lizard peninsula, Cornwall, I found the varied wildlife there was directly related to the soil and rock types of this small area. Ever since, I have seen geology as the most important influence on, not just our plants and animals, but also on where and how we live. I have also edited and produced a geological conservation publication, Earth Heritage, and became involved with Rockwatch magazine over 10 years ago. The geology bug bit deep, because my daughter Kate has gained a degree in the subject from Durham. Photo shows Seabury enjoying the limestone and igneous ranges of the Sierra de las Nieves in southern Spain.