October 5, 2004
NSS Cave
Management Division
Cave and Karst Acquisition Committee
Conservancies Committee
Contemporary Cave Use Study
Committee
NSS Cave Preserves Committee
NSS Conservation
Division
Conservation Committee
Volunteer Value
Online Database
Discovering Caves
Brochure Series
Conservation Web site
GIS/ESRI Liaison to NSS Conservation
NSS
Conservation Liaison for The Nature Conservancy
Conservation Task Forces
Resource Preservation Committee
Mammoth Cave Restoration
Committee
Bat Conservation Liaison
Geo-caching Ad-hoc
Committee
Conservation Grants
Committee
NSS
Liaison for International Speleothem Protection
NSS Cave Vandalism Deterrence
Reward Commission
NSS Education Division
Education Grants and Scholarship
Committee
Environmental Education
Committee
Safety and Techniques Committee
Video Production Committee
Youth Groups Liaison Committee
AGI Environmental
Science Textbook Ad-hoc Committee
Associated Projects
and Societies
National Cave Rescue
Commission
NSS Convention Division
Convention Development
Committee
2004 NSS Convention
2005 NSS Convention
Salons Committee
Congress of Grottos
Junior Speleological
Society
Attachment A-1 – NSS Cave
Preserve Detailed Reports
Attachment A-2 The John Guilday Caves
Nature Preserve Management Plan
Attachment A-3 2004 Convention
Committee Report
Attachment A-4 CCUS Report
Steve Ormeroid; AVP@caves.org; 937-642-7775
This is my first report to the Directors as AVP. It has been an intense learning experience dealing with all the various committees. This has increased my appreciation as to the dedication of the many committee members and coordinators involved in my department. I came into this position with no specific agenda and an open mind. I am quickly finding some areas that need support, a boost, or just re-assurance that their work is appreciated and is important. I have weathered several years of cave politics through the Cave Diving Section. While I am finding many parallels between the two organizations, the scope of the NSS and it’s involvement in cave conservation is an attribute that has not been recognized outside of the small group of people who call themselves cavers. I see our message of cave protection being pushed further into the mainstream. And I see a group of dedicated volunteers striving to spread that message. I look forward to this next year and realize that there is a lot of work to do.
Kim Metzgar, Chairman
Members: Lee Florea, David Taylor, Pat Kambesis, Philip Moss, and
Mark Lancaster.
Progress:
There is no report for this period. There were no requests.
Everything is status quo.
Plans:
none
Problems:
none
John M. Wilson, Chairman
Home email: john@wilsonj.org
Plans:
The Eighth Annual Cave Conservancy Round-table will be held at
the 2005 NSS Convention. The NSS CCC meeting will also be held on
the same day.
Progress:
Rane Curl was selected as the committee Vice Chairman and
Patricia Bingham was appointed Secretary of the Committee.
Funding Opportunities
Keith Dunlap will create and update list of funding opportunities
for cave conservancies, which will be posted on the Committee
website www.acave.us/nssccc
Program for 2005 NSS Convention
It was suggested that Val Hildreth-Werker include Conservancies
papers within the Conservation and Restoration session. John
Wilson will ask Val if this would be possible. This may also help
avoid conflicts with other presentations.
New Round Table Meeting Day
The Committee suggests that the Cave Conservancies Round Table be
held on Thursday for 2005 Convention. This may allow and
encourage Board members to attend.
Official Board Cave Conservancies Representative
The Board is asked to designate an official representative from
the NSS Nature Preserves to participate in the NSS Cave
Conservancy Committee functions.
Link to NSS Cave Conservancies Website
It was agreed that all conservancies should place a prominent
link to the NSS Cave Conservancies website and allow this site to
serve as their link to other conservancies. This will make for
easier updates by individual conservancies.
Each conservancy is encouraged to have a representative on the NSS Cave Conservancy Committee.
Individual specialists are encouraged to volunteer their time as consultants (available to disseminate information to all conservancies).
Problems:
Insurance Subcommittee, Rane Curl, Chairman, summarized the
insurance situation for conservancies.
He contacted Nathan Harland of the Land Trust Alliance to discuss the recent cave conservancies’ insurance cancellation. According to him, the underwriter, Chubb, is not willing to insure properties with caves and karst features as the risks are considered too great for the amount of premiums possible from such a small population of potential policy holders (this includes possible premiums from NSS and their members). A booming stock market created a profitable investment strategy underwriters used to allow and encourage inexpensive premiums to quickly raise monies that, when invested in the stock market, created more profit than profits generated by traditional means. Now, a declining stock market is causing underwriters to re-evaluate investments/insurance coverage strategies. Mr. Harland stated he would investigate this matter further. Rane will respond to Mr. Harland emphasizing that karst lands no different then any other vacant lands. Premium costs may depend on whom the trip leaders or the conservancy is accepting liability for people entering these caves. A wide variety of uses by various cave conservancies exist, so one type of policy will not cover all conservancies. There is not a large amount of potential premiums, even when including NSS. With so little money and incentive for underwriters to insure Karst lands it is difficult to get insurance companies to write this type of policy. Conservancies should contact small insurance companies and brokers to insure conservancies. Data is needed to show accident rates vs. usage. Conservancies may want to bring in expert testimony about caves being a geographic feature. They could emphasize that caves have dangers, but don’t pose any additional liability risks over and above any natural or man-made features.
John M. Wilson
Director of Marketing
Marks Products, Inc.
Work e-mail: sales@marksproducts.com
Work e-mail: wilsonjml@msn.com
Home e-mail: john@wilsonj.org
Work Web: www.marksproducts.com
Work phone 800-255-1353
Local work phone 804-741-4274
Fax: 866-871-9646
Garrett Czmor, NSS 22709(R)(FE), Chairman.
See Attachement A-4
Gary Bush, Chairman
E-mail: gary@wgbush.com
==========================================================
REPORT of the NSS NATURE PRESERVE COMMITTEE - OCTOBER 2004
===========================================================
I. GENERAL:
Reports were received from nine of the 13 NSS Nature Preserves this period. The Preserve Managers reports I've received are attached, for the record. As is my custom, I've also summarized the status of each Preserve report in Section II of this report. Details can be obtained from the original reports. Overall, the properties continue to be in good condition. Two additional reports on McFails Cave and the Potter Unit are also attached this month.
1) PROGRESS:
Studies and educational visits have occurred at Tytoona Cave.
Many of the Preserves with older management plans are still
working on updates. A new MP for the John Guilday Preserve has
been completed, reviewed, updated, and is submitted for approval
at this meeting. Bat counts were completed at Shelta Cave. The
adjusted boundary markers were set at Great X Preserve. The
second cave on the Potter Unit Preserve has been measured for a
gate, in hopes of increasing bat counts.
2) PLANS:
The management plans for all the older Preserves are again
planned for submission before the spring meeting. Progress has
been slow on these MP's. Gate repairs at McFails are planned, if
help can be arranged. Maintenance projects are underway or
planned at Schoharie, John Guilday, Mill Creek Sink, Tytoona, and
Great X Preserves.
3) PROBLEMS:
The most serious problems were reported at Tytoona Cave Preserve,
where there was serious flooding, due to the remnants of
Hurricane Ivan. A county road bridge on the normal access to the
Preserve was destroyed. Flooding at our property washed out part
of the parking area, the rocks bounding the lot, and part of a
footpath. The cave register was also destroyed inside the cave. A
dog rescue was required at McFails Cave. Result was successful,
although the animal had a broken leg. ATVers continue to trespass
onto the Barton Hill Preserve, cutting trails with chainsaws.
Neighbors have been asked to observe and attempt to identify the
people involved. The gate lock at Schoharie Preserve was recently
cut off. It'll be replaced.
II. PROPERTY STATUS: (Listed in Order of Acquisition)
* McFails Cave Nature Preserve (New York): There were 11 trips this summer season. Cave to be closed October 17th for the winter. A dog rescue occurred at McFails on June 7th. The animal suffered a broken leg. A report of the rescue is attached below. No progress on getting the two gates repaired, as no volunteers have come forward. A brochure about the property is in progress. The Management Plan is being revised. No problems reported.
* Shelta Cave Nature Preserve (Alabama): Bat counts late this summer agree with numbers from last summer. Counts will resume in the spring. High winds took down two trees on the property. They've since been removed. Shelta Preserve will be featured in the 2005 Convention Guidebook. No problems reported.
* John Guilday Caves Nature Preserve (West Virginia): The Management Plan has been revised and reviewed. It is attached for Board approval. (See Attachment A-2) The annual Conservacation is scheduled for November 20th. No problems reported.
* Kingston Saltpeter Cave Nature Preserve (Georgia): (No Report received this period)
* Barton Hill Nature Preserve (New York): Overall, the property is in fine condition. But, ATVers have been a problem. They had built a fire pit on the Preserve, but it has been removed. They also have been cutting trails, using chainsaws. Barricades placed recently have not been breached. They will be prosecuted if we catch them. The Manager is considering asking the Board to rename the Preserve back to the James Gage Preserve, after the former owner. There is also a local move to rename nearby Gage Caverns back to Balls Cave. The impetuses for these changes are that these names are more historically accurate.
* Warrens Cave Nature Preserve (Florida): (No Report received this period)
* Donald R. Russell Nature Preserve (Oklahoma): (No Report received this period)
* Schoharie Caverns Nature Preserve (New York): Rules and Regulations for the Preserve are being revised. Updates will follow for next meeting. The gate lock was recently cut off, after several years of being left alone. Several significant maintenance upgrades will follow soon. Bills are to follow, but are already covered by accumulated donations at the NSS Office.
* Mill Creek Sink Nature Preserve (Florida): Heavy storms have reduced visibility in the Sink and reduced the number of dives this summer. Clean-ups are on going. Plans include repair of the steps into the Sink and construction of an information kiosk. No problems reported.
* Tytoona Cave Nature Preserve (Pennsylvania): The residual storm that was Hurricane Ivan caused heavy flooding around the Preserve. A bridge on the county road was washed out, eliminating the normal access route to the Preserve. The Preserve parking area was partially washed away, as was part of the perimeter barrier rocks and a footpath. Inside the cave, the register was flooded and had to be removed, as it was unusable. There were two dive trips in the cave this year, but two others had to be cancelled due to poor water conditions. An educational scout trip and a biology study also took place. A list of maintenance items is being worked.
* Wells Cave Nature Preserve (Kentucky): (No Report received this period)
* GreatX Cave Nature Preserve (Wyoming): The property corner points were surveyed and set with brass markers. The survey was done as a result of the agreement to set the property boundaries so there was an adequate setback of the boundaries from the entrances. Fences will be moved to the new boundaries. There were six trips into the cave this year. Plans include setting a register in the cave and repairing the gate to make it easier to move. No problems reported.
* Potter Unit Nature Preserve (Oklahoma): Since the gate was installed on Crystal Cave in 1997, the bat population has grown from 1 Gray Bat to 280 bats seen last fall. A Report on the fauna in the cave is attached below. This July, another cave on the Preserve, Bluemoon, was measured for a gate in hopes of also increasing the usage by bats. A Water Moccasin snake was encountered on a visit this summer. No problems reported.
Respectfully Submitted, October 2, 2004
W. Gary Bush
Chairman, NSS Nature Preserves Committee
(See Attachment A-1 for detailed reports)
Jim C. Werker & Val Hildreth-Werker, Division Chiefs
Vision for the NSS Conservation Division: Heighten awareness of
the importance of cave and karst conservation. Develop strategies
to serve a greater diversity of audiences throughout the U.S.
Mission:
Jim C. Werker and Val Hildreth-Werker, Co-Chairmen werks@zianet.com
Jim and Val serve on various national and international committees. Maintain contact with federal agencies. Coordinate communications among members of the Conservation Committee. Define conservation goals. Initiate programs. Network people and expertise. Delegate conservation responsibilities. See that conservation questions directed to the NSS do receive answers. Serve as conservation editors for the NSS News. Represent the NSS in answering the frequent media inquiries from radio and print journalists. We also conduct workshops on cave/karst conservation and restoration/repair throughout the country. An NSS book titled Cave Conservation & Restoration, edited by Val and Jim, is scheduled for press in 2004.
NSSNews—Call for articles is out for the 2005 Conservation Issue.
Book—The manuscript of Cave Conservation and Restoration is in layout and the book is slated for press during 2004. See NSS Special Publications Committee Report from Tom Rea, David McClurg.
Convention—Restoration Forum and Conservation/Management papers were presented on Monday at the Michigan NSS Convention. Many thanks to John M. Wilson for hosting the day while we were absent dealing with a family emergency. Conservation plans for the 2005 Huntsville Convention include the traditional sessions and forum. Send abstracts to werks@zianet.com New for the 2005 Convention, the SERA Conservation Task Force has stepped up to sponsor three conservation workshops at sites near the Huntsville Convention.
Seminars & Workshops—Since Convention we have conducted speleothem repair, restoration, and cave conservation workshops in Utah, Arizona, and Nevada. Also initiated new involvement in bat monitoring and cave management concerns in New Mexico.
Publication of Bat Gate Design Manual
The definitive gating manual for designing and constructing bat-friendly closure options is available through the NSS Bookstore for $18. Based on a special Bat Gate Design Technical Interactive Forum held in 2002 in Austin, Texas, the book details state-of-the-art techniques for protecting caves and underground mines. Many of the authors are NSS members. Older gating manuals should be used for historical reference only.
Volunteer Value Online Data Base
Bern Szukalski, Co-Coordinator
bszukalski@esri.com
Jennifer Foote, Co-Coordinator
bigredfoote@yahoo.com
Jennifer.Foote@Merrick.com
Through volunteer efforts, cavers give significant monetary value to the protection, exploration, scientific investigation, conservation, and preservation of cave and karst resources. The volunteer value database will create a single location to collect and document volunteer value in cave and karst projects throughout the NSS. Volunteer value statistics can be used by government agencies, as well as public and private landowners to assist in management of resources and by cavers for grant application processes, cave management proposals, and karst protection battles. In addition to project detail for the purposes listed, we hope to record the total volunteer value cavers contribute as a user group. Volunteer Value field forms and information will continue to be available on the NSS Conservation Division website.
Plans:
Phase 1 - Determine the needs and requirements.
Phase 2 - Implement online Volunteer Value Input Form on NSS
Website
Phase 3 - Publish statistical reports on website
Phase 4 - Possible interactive online mapping/GIS component to
retrieve data
Progress:
We are currently working on Phase 1. We have determined data
fields and requirements for implementation and are starting on a
mock-up database. Still need to contact NSS IT to determine
software and compatibility issues. Mark Langford has joined
the team.
Discovering Caves Brochure Series
Cheryl Jones, Coordinator
Mike Dale, Graphic Design
Plans:
Progress:
John M. Wilson, Coordinator
wilsonjml@msn.com
John Wilson is serving as the Conservation Website Coordinator and is updating and coordinating the conservation sites. Please send any updates or notices to John and copy the Werkers.
GIS/ESRI Liaison to NSS Conservation
Bern Szukalski
bszukalski@esri.com
Updates since last report:
Recent Highlights:
GIS SIG in Marquette: With "sponsorship" from the NSS Geology and Geography Section, a GIS SIG meeting was held during the NSS Convention in Marquette, MI. A variety of topics were discussed, including offering workshops in the future, the confusing nature of GIS and GIS software, how to alleviate common problems, etc. George Veni offered to have the Geol/Geog section website host information for GIS users, Bernie Szukalski also pointed out that the ESRI site has information on topics discussed.
The Nature Conservancy Liaison to NSS Conservation
Heather Garland
hgarland@tnc.org
I have not had any requests for information from the caving community in more than a year. Rane and I are beginning to work on updating the NSS Liaison web page to reflect new contact information as well as include some updated projects. I am working on getting a sister web page added to our TNC-TN website explaining the Liaison relationship. Due to an overwhelming demand for my attention to internal projects and a difficulty in getting current cave project information from other TNC chapters, the Liaison display has not been updated. However, it is my goal to have that finished before the 2005 Convention.
TNC-Virginia Chapter:
TNC-West Virginia Chapter:
TNC-Tennessee Chapter:
David H. Jagnow, Coordinator
PO Box 93398
Albuquerque, NM 87199
Phone: 505-898-3100
E-mail: David@Jagnow.com OR
djagnow@cybermesa.com
We welcome Dave Jagnow as the new CTF Coordinator. Two existing groups who have been actively pursuing restoration projects for several years have submitted applications to become Conservation Task Forces. Updates from all CTFs are forthcoming in future reports
Progress:
Two new Conservation Task Forces have been approved
during the past reporting period.
The High Guads Restoration Project Conservation Task Force was approved August 31, 2004. The CTF is headed by Jennifer Foote and Susan Herpin and performs restoration and monitoring of the USFS caves in the Guadalupe Mountains west of Carlsbad, New Mexico. The HGRP was formed in 1999 and has performed $80,000 to $100,000 of volunteer value each year for Lincoln National Forest. They meet the last weekend of every month, weather permitting.
The SERA Karst Task Force was also approved as a Conservation Task Force of the NSS. SERA Kast Task Force is a standing committee of the Southeast Regional Association chaired by Jim Wilbanks. This group was formed in 2002 with a mission to promote conservation activities by cavers in the Southeast. They currently have five conservation projects organized at each of the Southeastern caving events.
Plans:
To encourage new CTFs and increase all aspects of cave
conservation and education.
Problems:
None
Resource Preservation Committee
David L. Joaquim, Chairman
8120 E. Mitchell Dr
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-970-8186
caveconservation@hotmail.com
Contact David Joaquim for arrangements to use the NSS museum-quality conservation display.
Mammoth Cave Restoration Committee
Roy Vanhoozer RVanhoo@aol.com
Rick Williams rwilliams@healthallianceFCU.com (Treasurer)
Short Term Goals:
Long Term Goals:
Project Updates:
Problems:
Inclement weather has prevented us from accomplishing
our short term goal. Storms have caused flooding of the Echo
River passage during the last three weekend camps. As a result,
camp volunteers have been unable to work on the bridge
demolition.
Jim "Crash" Kennedy
Cave Resources Specialist, Bat Conservation International
jkennedy@batcon.org
Sauta Cave, Jackson County, Alabama – re-gated this cave on Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge in August. It is the most important maternity site for the endangered gray bat. The old gates were not as bat-friendly, and much weaker, allowing trespassers to break in. Partners were USFWS, BCI, ACCA, TNC, and several NSS volunteers.
EspeleoCoahuila 2004 --- Gave a presentation and training session at this important meeting in Saltillo, Coahuila, in September on bat cave assessment and management, then made visits to 4 local caves to assess current populations. Partners were BCI and Association for Mexican Cave Studies.
Saltpetre Cave, Carter County, Kentucky --- Continued microclimate restoration work in September for hibernating Indiana bats, including radiolocation of closed back entrance (soon to be reopened). Partners were BCI, Kentucky State Parks, ESSO Grotto, and other NSS members.
Bat Conservation and Management Workshop, Mammoth Cave, Kentucky --- Instructed at this intensive weeklong workshop in September organized by BCI. Other partners included Mammoth Cave National Park, CRF, Kentucky Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Resources, and USFWS.
Texas Parks and Wildlife EXPO --- Worked at BCI booth one day of this 2-day October free event, which attracted 70,000 people.
Hazel A. Barton (Chairman)
Amy Bern (Committee member)
Larry Flemming (Committee member)
Bob Hall (Committee member)
Submitted an article for the NSS News Conservation Issue. Geocaching has become a permanent committee in the Conservation Division. No new updates.
Albert A. Krause, Chairman
1721 SW 76th Terrace
Gainesville, FL 32607-3418
res 352-332-2276
ofc 352-392-7396
fax 352-392-3044
mailto:aakrause@ufl.edu
PLANS:
No change. NSS website, members manual, the NSS News Conservation
issue, and the Conservation websites provide extensive coverage
on the Conservation Grants Program.
PROGRESS:
No grant applications have been received or are known to be
pending for the current fiscal year. A balance of $3,000.00
remains in the grant fund.
PROBLEMS:
None as such—there appears to be an appreciable decline in
the current number of active conservation-related research and
educational/public-awareness projects being undertaken. This is
an area that historically waxes and wanes.
REMARKS:
The current Conservation Grants Program is the result of the
combination of two formerly separate programs—one for
Conservation Research and the second for Conservation programs.
The melding was performed by the Board to provide more
flexibility for funding Conservation initiatives by blending the
two programs and budgets into a single account. Based on
precedent, the resultant program provides funding for Cave/Karst
Conservation-related research and educational programs of
potentially broad impact. Generally, grants are competitively
awarded to eligible applicants based on project merit and
available funding. Preference is given to graduate research
theses and dissertations of merit, followed by other academic
research, followed by conservation-oriented educational programs
of broad impact. Several applications were submitted during 2003
and 2004 that did not fit these guidelines. Cave-specific
projects, like clean-outs, gates, land improvements, etc. which
constructively serve as capital improvements to real estate are
NOT eligible for assistance under the Conservation Grants
Program.
NSS Liaison for International Speleothem Protection
Thomas Lera
No report as of this time
Jay Jorden, Chairman
11201 CR 132
Celina, TX 75009-2527
214-202-6611
jjorden@texoma.net
October 2004
Prepared for the National Speleological Society Board of
Governors:
Current commission members:
Gale Beach raybeach@earthlink.net
Tom Rea tomrea@ccrtc.com
John Wilson wilsonjml@msn.com
Aaron Atz atz@netpointe.com
Thomas Lera frontier2@erols.com
Progress:
In the months since the last report the commission has continued
to work with various groups in fighting cave vandalism and
promoting the deterrence reward system. Members helped contact
operators of the auction site eBay to remind them of their
commitment to uphold U.S. cave protection laws after more
speleothems were posted for sale. In the past, we have contacted
eBay’s general counsel in California and urged that items be
removed from the site; such action was later taken. Regarding
rewards, the latest action involving an anonymous tipster through
a Missouri crime stoppers’ program is publicized in a press
release that’s posted on the Public Relations page on the
NSS Web site. News services and other media have picked up the
information.
Plans:
Commission members will continue to review all successful
prosecutions of cave vandals with an eye toward publicizing the
Society's conservation objectives and rewarding diligence on the
part of those individuals who work in furtherance of those goals.
Other means of publicizing the commission's activities are also
envisioned. The commission chair also plans to continue
contributing to the NSS Conservation and Management Section's
publication efforts.
Problems:
None noted.
Respectfully submitted,
Jay Jorden
Fall 2004
Amy M. Bern, Division Chief
Progress:
The NSS and Project Underground have again submitted the Sinkholes in a Cup activity for the Earth Science Week Activity Book. No answer yet whether funds have been secured to send 10,000 Fragile Underground brochures for the packets.
Plans:
Problems:
It has been an adventure working with a new AVP as he
gets up to speed on the happenings within the division, but I
believe any problems are being worked out.
Committee Reports
Paula Grgich-Warke, Chairman
Progress:
The first article resulting from a grant recipient was
published in the NSS News. Dr. Stephen Vermette’s article in
the July 2004 NSS News was an excellent example of a grateful and
informative grant recipient. It also supplied a much-needed new
article for the NSS News.
A number of appropriate grant sites and information links have been located. Pending approval and update by the web master, this information will be added and the web page once again reformatted. This was a goal of the last quarterly report, and has yet to come to fruition. It is hoped that a more appropriate request and updating structure for the web pages can be reached so that these pertinent changes can be made.
Preliminary approval has been given to Project Underground for a $2,000.00 grant to cover a book printing. This grant is in process. The application represents the first time PU has gone through a formal application process for this funding. Carol Zokaites’ forthcoming article is much anticipated.
Plans:
To date, funding to support Project Underground has not
yet been located. The search for a source or sources continues.
A brief article has been forwarded to the NSS News asking for applicants for this year’s grants process. Due to the one-time funding surplus, it is hoped that as many educational goals as possible can be met during the remainder of the fiscal year. The article should appear in the News in either November or December.
To date the committee has remained on target with last June’s goals. Future goals include improving communication between the Education Division committees, as well as with the various departments that support them, and continuing to expand and improve the web site. The overriding goal of finding funding for PU has unfortunately not yet been met, but a continued search is ongoing.
Barbara L. Moss, Chairman
Plans:
Progress:
Problems:
No problems at this time.
Anmar Mirza, Chairman
No report received.
Roberta K. Serface, Chairman
No changes since last report.
Pat Bingham, Chairman
Progress:
Brochures are available for public access, and they are accessible from the NSS brochure page. We also need to start creating links on the website to cave-related information on the national youth groups websites. Many thanks to Melanie Peterson who designs the website.
The Youth Groups pages contain information on every commercial cave that could be found on the Internet. The information includes phone numbers, web sites, locations, and program information. It is hoped this site will encourage commercial cave owners who do not include wild tours or youth programs to develop these options. Some youth groups have been directed to commercial caves for wild cave tours and they have been happy to go there. Apparently they had been having a tough time in finding willing cavers. This information should alleviate some of the pressure on grottos and cavers to take youth groups caving.
Chuck Acklin and the Timpanogos Grotto have spearheaded efforts to create an NSS caving program to teach youth group leaders and members about safe caving. Chuck has written a course outline based on working with local Boy Scout troops that is being revised for use with all youth groups. This program has input from experienced cavers and youth leaders across the country. This course, once finished, will be available on line, along with a PowerPoint show to go along with it.
Plans:
This waiver will be available on the youth group’s web pages. No progress on this yet, though a post on the NSS discussion board has led to several e-mails asking for such a waiver. Developing a waiver is now a priority.
These coordinators will act as a liaison between youth groups who want to go caving and grottos that are willing to take them caving. The regional coordinators will direct educational activities for youth group leaders and organizations. I ran an advertisement in the NSS News for people interested in this position. Response was minimal. I need to approach it in a different way.
The certification would be granted in the name of the national youth organization. A person new to caving could become certified as a cave leader within one year. Each leader would have to learn, under the guidance of experienced cavers, a cave before leading his youth group through that specific cave.
Problems:
AGI Environmental Science Textbook Ad-Hoc
Barbara Moss
See Education Division Chief Report above.
Barbara Moss, Project Underground Board Chairman
October 6, 2004
John Punches (National Coordinator)
633 West Hazel St
Roseburg, OR 97470
Home: 541-957-5461
Work: 541-672-4461
E-mail: national@ncrc.info
NCRC Web site: www.ncrc.info
Board of Regional Coordinators
Doug Moore (Eastern Region Coordinator)
David Ashburn (Training Coordinator)
Mark Bowers (Western Region Coordinator)
Bob Rodgers (Southwestern Region Coordinator)
Sam Chewning, MD (Medical Coordinator)
John Evans (Northeast Region Coordinator )
Marc Ohms (Rocky Mountain Region Coordinator)
Tim Comer (South Central Region Coordinator)
Anmar Mirza (Central Region Coordinator)
Ken Hill (Cave Diving Coordinator)
Efrain Mercado Vasquez (Caribbean Region Coordinator)
Tim White (Southeastern Region Coordinator)
John Punches (Pacific Northwest Region Coordinator)
Staff
Harold Chrimes (Equipment Manager)
Tricia Daugherty (Database Manager)
Andy Franklin (NCRC Discussion and Administrative List Manager)
Rebecca Jones (Education Board Member)
Berta Kirchman (Financial Officer)
James Hall (Archives Officer)
Steve Hudson (Education Board Member)
Monty Strange (Education Board Member)
Susan Thrasher (Assistant to the National Coordinator)
Marc Tiritilli (Education Board Member/Curriculum Coordinator)
Kathy Welling (Recording Secretary)
Progress:
The NCRC national seminar was held in Corydon, Indiana,
hosted by the Central Region.
A small-party rescue session was held in the Pacific North West region.
The NCRC Education Board met on September 11 and 12, 2004, in Walker County, Georgia. The entire curriculum was reviewed and writing assignments were made. Revisions should be ready for Board of Regional Coordinators Review in February.
The NCRC policies for Regional and National Seminars have been updated and posted to the NCRC web site.
Plans:
The next NCRC Board of Regional Coordinators meeting
will be held February 11-12, 2005, in Walker County, Georgia.
The NCRC 2005 National Cave Rescue Seminar is being planned for Alabama, June 25–July 2. Most of the arrangements have been completed, a brochure has been prepared, the budget has been submitted for NSS review, and the seminar website should be ready soon.
The 2006 NCRC National Cave Rescue Seminar is being planned for Puerto Rico.
Regional weeklong seminars are being planned the Western Region (October 2004) and Eastern Region (sometime in 2005).
Orientations to Cave Rescue are being planned/considered by several regions
Problems:
We’re still looking for insurance. We’ve been
successful in purchasing event policies for national seminars,
but not in securing an ongoing policy.
Carol Tiderman
Carol Tiderman, Chairman
Progress:
Hosted Convention Planning and Development Meetings at
the 2004 Convention.
Attended 2005 planning meeting.
Continued to pass along any new information and/or developments to the
confirmed and potential host groups.
Continued to mentor confirmed host groups.
Plans:
Continue working with confirmed and potential host
groups.
Continue to solicit new convention bids.
Problems:
None that the AVP is not aware of and working on.
Jim Hall
Our next planning meeting is Wednesday October 6. The School has our request and I will be looking at the school again before the planning meeting. The camping area and large building on site has been reserved. I have decided on a port-a john vendor and we will have 18 potties with hand sanitizers in each one. There are also on site toilets and a couple of showers. Bush Fire Services will set up and maintain a 16-unit shower truck.
We have paid $500 to the Von Braun Civic Center to reserve the Concert Hall for Thursday night and the South Hall for Friday night's banquet. The menu will be All American Buffet Sliced roast beef au jus and grilled chicken breasts with white barbecue sauce. Served with mashed potatoes, peas and carrots, green beans, whole kernel corn, rice pilaf, tossed green salad with dressings, roasted vegetable salad, and hot yeast rolls, coffee, iced Tea, and water and strawberry or chocolate cake.
Due to Alabama laws the only way to have alcohol is to have the VBCC set up cash bars.
There will be a shuttle bus from the campground to Grissom High, which is 4 1/2 miles away. Still planning a reception for Wednesday night at the Space and Rocket Center. Still working on reduced or free parking for Thursday and Friday nights. (Currently $4 a car)
Jean Devries
E-mail: Devriesj@aol.com
(Please see Attachment A-3)
Paul & Lee Stevens
E-mail: pl.stevens@comcast.net
William (Bill) Jackson, Chairman
E-mail: wjackson44@comcast.net
Don Shofstall, Vice-Chairman
Chairmen NSS I/O Committee: Evelyn Bradshaw, Keith Wheeland
Nothing to new to report since Convention report.
Rick & Faye Bowersox Co-Chairmen
321 Pinecliff Dr
Las Vegas, Nevada 89145-5259
Phone: 702-242-6995
Fax: 702-242-6916
E-mail: LavaBeds@lvcm.com
Progress:
Plans:
Problems:
No problems to report at this time.
10/13/04