.

	STEP 3 - Contents > Where is the boundary? > What information is available? > Heritage registers > Finding out more about heritage > What additional information is required? > What goes into a heritage study?   > Have a go -Step 3
	.

..	..	..
.	What do you need to know?	..
.	.	..
	How do you do a field study? Under heritage and environment laws in each state field studies will be required for many developments. A field study can take the form of a field survey, which involves looking over a large geographical area for features or places of heritage value. This might involve travelling by vehicle or on foot with members of the community who know the area, and/or with specialists. A field study can also involve field recording, which focuses on describing the present features of a place and research which leads to understanding aspects of these features. Field studies can include surveys of Indigenous community interests, surveys of archaeological or historic places, surveys of vegetation, fauna, landform, soil or geology, or a field recording. They contribute to identifying and assessing heritage significance by: locating places which may have heritage value describing the features of heritage places providing evidence from which to interpret the development of a place. Documentary research should be carried out before a field study commences. What is known already about the area in which you are interested? Remember that it is essential to obtain permission from owners to gain access to their property, or from Indigenous communities if you want to work on their sites. Once again heritage specialists are very experienced in conducting field surveys, and they can help plan and conduct surveys for you.   Example - community field study and NatureSearch NatureSearch is an extensive database of sightings of fauna species maintained by the Queensland government. It is the result of a state-wide field study and is compiled from sightings recorded by 3000 community volunteers across Queensland. It has 300 000 records. Information from the NatureSearch database is provided free to the public, students and community groups, government, and environmental consultants. It is used in environmental impact assessments and other forms of heritage conservation planning. .....