Administrative Vice-President
Report to the NSS Board of Governors
for the November 5, 2005 Directors Meeting
October 12, 2005
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
Conservation Grants Subcommittee
Volunteer Value Online Database
Discovering Caves Brochure
Series
Conservation Division Website
Geo-caching Subcommittee
GIS/GPS Technology Subcommittee
Resource Preservation Committee
Mammoth Cave Restoration
Committee
NSS Cave Vandalism Deterrence
Reward Commission
Conservation Task Force
Bat Conservation Liaison
NSS Liaison for The Nature
Conservancy to NSS Conservation
NSS Education Division
Education Grants and
Scholarship Committee
Environmental Education
Committee
Safety and Techniques Committee
Youth Groups Liaison Committee
National Cave Rescue
Commission
NSS Convention Division
Convention Development
Committee
Salons Committee
Congress of Grottos
JSS Report
Attachment A-1 - NSS Cave Preserve
Detailed Reports
Attachment A-2 - Convention Bid Site
Visit Report
NSS Cave Management Division
Kim Metzgar, Chairman
Members: Lee Florea, David Taylor, Pat Kambesis, Philip Moss, and
Mark Lancaster.
No activity to report
John M. Wilson, Chairman
Home e-mail: john@wilsonj.org
Plans:
Conservancy papers at the NSS convention in 2006 will be
considered part of the Conservation and Restoration session.
The Ninth Annual Cave Conservancy Round-table will be held at the 2006 NSS Convention. The NSS CCC meeting will also be held on the same day.
Progress:
Several new cave conservancies have been invited to
become NSS Cave Conservancies. There are no commitments from them
yet.
Slow but steady progress is being made on getting Conservancies to send data and to place a prominent link to the NSS Cave Conservancies website and allow this site to serve as their link to other conservancies. Some conservancies will attend the National Cave and Karst Management Symposium on 31 Oct to 4 Nov 2005 which has a day with specific programs for conservancies.
Problems:
Insurance for conservancies continues to be an expensive
and difficult issue.
The NSS has not appointed a representative to the Cave Conservancies Committee.
The AVP has been asked to have the Boardappoint an official BoardCave Conservancies Representative from the NSS Nature Preserves to participate in the NSS Cave Conservancy Committee functions.
Garrett Czmor, NSS 22709(R) (FE), Chairman.
No activity to report
Buford Pruitt, Jr., NSS 17920(RL) Chairman
bpruitt5@cox.net
Following my appointment to the position of Chairman of the NSS Nature Preserves Committee, I have attempted to contact and introduce myself to all the preserve managers. To date, I have received feedback from only 7 of the 13 preserve managers (Larry Blair, Paul Meyer, Garrett Czmor, Bob Addis, Tom Rider, Bill Oldacre, and Thom Engel), and have received only 6 reports in advance of the November 5, 2005, Board meeting. I have herein summarized all the reports and appended all except Larry Blair’s (because his was submitted in hand-typed format) in their entireties. There were no significant problems reported.
McFails Cave Nature Preserve (New York): Thomas Rider reports that the cave was opened for visitation on July 16, 2005, two months later than usual, due to a particularly wet spring. There have been 10 trips this year to date for recreational, exploration and survey purposes. The trees formerly blocking the trail have been removed and fences repaired. The two gates in disrepair have not yet been repaired due to a lack of personnel. Plans for the future include meeting with the owner of Wicks Hole, conducting a cleanup of the property this autumn, preparing a brochure re the property, and updating the management plan. The latter two are reported to be in preparation. No problems were reported.
Shelta Cave Nature Preserve (Alabama): Paul Meyer informs us that they continue to monitor bats from April to September, and have learned that the bats using the cave have increased in number over the past two years. He associates the increase with removal of the cave gates. He plans to explore the cave for possible bat habitat locations and collect water quality samples from the perennial waterfall in the back of the cave to ascertain whether the source of the waterfall is a leak in the city’s water system. They have already assisted the city in finding and plugging two such water system leaks in the area, and wish to see if the waterfall still runs during the dry season. Bill Torode cleared minor amount of tree fall on site caused by Hurricane Katrina. Two raccoons discovered eating the cave’s bats were relocated to "new habitat." Paul’s report includes a table of raw bat count data and a graph of three years’ worth of bat counts.
John Guilday Cave and Nature Preserve (West Virginia): No report was received.
Kingston Saltpeter Cave Nature Preserve (Georgia): Larry Blair led a teacher’s trip to the cave; they saw no bats, and picked up what little trash they found. It was learned that the adjacent landowner, Anheuser Busch, had paved the gravel road almost half-way to the cave’s parking area. No more trips to the cave have occurred due to record rainfall this summer. Larry and Joel Sneed published a new book on the cave, "The Late Pleistocene Record of Kingston Saltpeter Cave, Bartow County, Georgia." He noted no problems at this time.
Barton Hill Nature Preserve (New York): No report was received.
Warrens Cave Nature Preserve (Florida): No report was received; however, I live close to Warrens Cave and can make a few observations. Last year’s hurricanes destroyed a lot of the property’s forest canopy, resulting in very dense undergrowth throughout most of the site. The cave is accessed via a dirt road that runs through a neighbor’s property. This neighbor told FSS member Brian Williams that he wants to clear and level his property, and fence it in to keep horses. He asked us to move our access road off his lot so that it is entirely on the Warrens property. No progress has been made on this issue to my knowledge. Florida cavers held a mock rescue at Warrens Cave on September 24, 2005, that included 12 cavers and 5 firemen (report available from me if desired). There were also several recreational trips to the cave.
Donald R. Russell Nature Preserve (Oklahoma): No report was received.
Schoharie Caverns Nature Preserve (New York): Bob Addis relates that the preserve continues to receive visitors, and he expects even more of them as the college crowd returns to campus. Donations to the preserve continue to exceed preserve expenses. Maintenance continues to consist mostly of lawn mowing and outhouse cleaning. He plans to paint the exterior of the cabin, and may need some driveway work also, but has volunteers planning to do that work with the preserve providing the cost of materials. Bob has only one potential problem, which is that a couple of divers who do not have cave dive training want to dive the sump and video it. He says they are adamant about diving it despite the sump’s extremely adverse conditions and their own lack of sump dive training. I e-mailed him that they should be denied permission to dive the sump, and Steve Ormeroid said he might also talk to Bob.
Mill Creek Sink Nature Preserve (Florida): No report was received.
Tytoona Cave Nature Preserve (Pennsylvania): Garrett Czmor and his crew have done some erosion control on the damage from last year’s Hurricane Ivan, and continue to service the kiosk and cave register. He is trying to get the local government to install a guardrail between the road and the large sinkhole in order to prevent vehicles from running off the road and falling into the sink. A representative of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is expected to visit the site this autumn. Wet sections of the cave are being surveyed. A group of Nature Ramblers was guided through the cave. A water dye trace study is planned in Tytoona Cave, and a small cave located within Tytoona Sink was surveyed and named Tytoona Cavelet. The only recent problem was that some signs in the parking area were stolen.
Wells Cave Nature Preserve (Kentucky): No report was received.
Great X Cave Nature Preserve (Wyoming): No report was received. (NOTE- Report received and in addendum)
Potter Unit Nature Preserve (Oklahoma): No report was received.
Respectfully submitted September 29, 2005
Buford C. Pruitt, Jr., Chairman
NSS Nature Preserves Committee
NSS Conservation Division
Fall 2005 Report
Conservation Division Jim C. Werker and 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:
News Announcements
Ransom W. Turner worked as a cave resource specialist for the USDA Forest Service, both as a volunteer and as an employee for more than 20 years. Ransom, age 46, died September 16, while working on a trail near his home on his family ranch. His love for the caves and for the Guadalupe Mountains was reflected in his protection the resources. During his cave management career, Ransom formed a vision for empowering volunteer caver expertise and assistance, which he saw grow into the High Guads Restoration Project. Ransom’s gentle demeanor, dry sense of humor, and deep care for caves and cavers will long be remembered. Ransom’s actions epitomized the values of cave safely…cave softly.
Jim Miller, USDA Forest Service Dispersed Recreation Program Manager (Washington Office) has retired from a 35-year career in federal service. His colleagues in Washington, D.C. describe Jim as "the caveman," champion of MOU’s, partnerships, cost-shares, trails, and caves. Jim attended NSS Conventions since 1996. He says the sessions at Convention changed him— instead of just driving down the road during a storm, he now drives in the rain and wonders what cave is receiving all that runoff from the road. Jim Miller is a strong advocate of progressive cave and karst conservation as well as volunteer value. The NSS Conservation Division values his contributions and his friendship.
The NSS welcomes Jonathan Stephens, Congressionally Designated Areas, Program Manager; Recreation, Heritage and Wilderness Resources Staff USDA Forest Service (Washington Office). Jonathan is now serving caves in the same capacity as Jim Miller. The Werkers met with both Jim Miller and Jonathan in Washington, D.C., during their transition. We look forward to working cooperatively with Jonathan in future cave conservation efforts.
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 manual on cave conservation, restoration, and speleothem repair titled Cave Conservation and Restoration, edited by Val and Jim, is scheduled for press in 2005.
NSS News—NSS News 2006 Conservation Issue call for articles was sent out in September. Help produce a thorough NSS overview of worldwide conservation research, projects, and cave/karst awareness efforts.
Submit articles, updates, protection concerns, conservation opportunities, squibs on cave and karst conservation activities, and appreciation for individuals or groups. Please do not exceed 2500 words (or a 15,000 character and space count). Submit photos as slides, prints, or e-files. Deadline: December 31, 2005. Send submissions now, before the end of the year. (The absolute final deadline is January 15, 2006.) Please give Jim and Val notice that you plan to submit. < werks@zianet.com >
Book—The manuscript of Cave Conservation and Restoration, featuring peer-reviewed contributions from more than 50 authors and edited by Val Hildreth-Werker and Jim C. Werker, is in the final stages of layout. Much appreciation goes to Gus Frederick for his continuing efforts on this publication project. In early October, we met with Gus and discussed the next steps of production. See Publications Report from Gordon Birkhimer.
Convention—Thanks go to various cavers who coordinated with Jim and Val to organize conservation events and papers throughout convention week in Huntsville. Filling the day on Conservation Tuesday were the Restoration Forum and the Conservation/Management Session, followed by a hot topic panel on GPS Cave Locations on the Internet, and ending the day with an informal Government Employee Reception. Thanks also go to Southeastern Regional Association Karst Task Force SKTF members who sponsored and organized three special workshops for the Huntsville Convention - Speleothem Repair - Graffiti Removal - Sinkhole Haul-out System.
Seminars and Workshops
- Conducted the speleothem repair workshop sponsored by SKTF at Convention.
- Attended a special White House Conference on Cooperative Conservation, held in St. Louis (see attached report) in August.
- Conducted Cave/Karst Conservation Seminar in Washington, D.C. for USDA FS and NPS representatives (see news announcement above).
- Presented cave conservation overview seminar for personnel in the Guadalupe Ranger District, Lincoln National Forest, USDA Forest Service in September.
- Planning on hosting Elery Hamilton-Smith of Australia and Pat Seiser of NCKRI for brunch in our home during their October cross-country conservation management trip across America. Attending Elery’s presentation at New Mexico Tech in Socorro, New Mexico.
- Presenting paper at NCKMS in New York the end of October.
- Participating in the Colorado Plateau Cave Management Symposium at Northern Arizona University in November.
Jim C. Werker, Interim Chairman werks@zianet.com
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. Over a decade ago, the melding was performed by the Boardto 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.
For months, we have been investigating routes for revamping this grant program to better serve the needs of the NSS. In the process, we have drafted several potential board acts, but none of these have been presented. Ray Keeler, through the Central Arizona Grotto, presented motions advocating the funding of cave and karst restoration projects to the Congress of Grottos. In working with the AVP and the EC to expand this grant program, serve the membership request, and simplify procedural obligations, we have honed the options into a new name and draft amendments for the existing grant. We recommend that the NSS Conservation Grant become the NSS Conservation and Restoration Grant.
Bern Szukalski, Chairman bszukalski@esri.com
Jennifer Foote, Coordinator bigredfoote@yahoo.com; Jennifer.Foote@Merrick.com
Mark Lankford, Coordinator mark.lankford@mci.com
Cavers give significantly 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 throughout the NSS. Volunteer value statistics can be used by public and private landowners to augment resource management and by cavers in grant application processes, cave management proposals, and karst protection battles. Volunteer Value forms and information are 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 Web
Site
Phase 3 - Publish static reports on website
Phase 4 - Possible interactive online mapping/GIS component to
retrieve data
Progress: We have completed Phase 1, determining data fields and contacting NSS IT to determine software and compatibility issues. We are now in progress on Phase 2, we have a mock-up database and a web form has been developed. Once it is tested, we can get it on the Conservation website to start to collect data. Final data validation testing on the form is progressing. During Convention, Jennifer Foote and Bern Szukalski met with Jim and Val.
The following plan for testing and roll out was agreed on:
1. Get the site and explanatory page up and
working for a small Beta Test Group.
2. Invite small group to participate in testing
the Beta Site.
3. Evolve the site from Beta Test Group
comments.
4. Expand the circle. Add other projects and
stakeholders.
5. Roll out. Broad introduction and promotion of the VV database
program.
Cheryl Jones, Coordinator cs.jones@verizon.net
Mike Dale, Graphic Design miked@backpacker.com
Plans: None
Progress: NSS Discovering Caves and membership brochures and A Guide to Responsible Caving were uploaded again to the NSS Web site in mid September, a few weeks after the NSS Web site was restored... All of the brochures are now offered on line in color or black and white versions.
John M. Wilson, Webmaster wilsonjml@msn.com
Plans: The conversion of the Conservation Division site to a website with easy navigation is complete.
Progress: Getting access to material such as back issues of the NSS News Conservation issues is moving slowly.
We extend sincere thanks to Hazel Barton for initiating the NSS work with geocachers as an Ad Hoc Committee, then continuing to chair the Geocaching Committee when it became a Subcommittee of the Conservation Committee. Many thanks for your years of commitment in this position, Hazel
We welcome David Irving to the Conservation Division as the interim chairman of the Geocaching Committee. David, thank you for serving in this position.
David Irving, Interim Chairman daveirving@earthlink.net
Plans: Work with the preserve managers to ensure that NSS policy is being carried out on our properties. Monitor for geocaches that are undesirable from a cave conservation standpoint and work to get them removed. Work to raise the awareness of geocaching among cavers, and to achieve a greater sensitivity of cave conservation problems among geocachers.
Progress: Recruited another NSS member/geocacher, Randy J, at Convention to work with the committee. He has been enthusiastically responding and, I think, will contribute a lot to the committee. Begun responding to inquiries from the Indiana Karst Conservancy regarding geocaching policy.
Problems: There are only 24 hours in every day.
The GSA program for teaching geology and conservation through geocaches can be found at http://www.geosociety.org/earthcache/
Bernard Szukalski, Chairman bszukalski@esri.com
Organized and moderated hot topics panel at NSS Convention during the Conservation and Management Session on Conservation Tuesday. Locations! Locations! Cave Conservation and the Implications of Global Positioning Technology. Much thanks to Ron Kerbo, Dan Castellari, Fred Luiszer, Tom Gilleland, Ray Keeler, and the audience for their participation in this panel and open discussion.
Organized Cave and Karst GIS SIG at ESRI User Conference. Guest speaker: Warren Campbell, WKU, "GIS for Karst Studies"
Supported ESRI-Romania tender for Romanian-Hungarian Corridor for the Biodiversity Conservation Environment involving cave and karst mapping and GIS.
Facilitated several student software grants for cave/karst GIS studies, and several independent grants requests for special projects involving caves/karst.
Miscellaneous GIS project activities.
The Resource Preservation Committee is in transition. We thank David Joaquim for several years of service as the Chairman of this Committee.
Roy Vanhoozer RVanhoo@aol.com
Rick Williams, Treasurer
Project Updates:
On August 3, 2005, the last pile of the Echo River
Bridge in Mammoth Cave was pulled from the sucking mud by NSS
Restoration Camp volunteers. This concludes a project that took 8
years, thousands of volunteer hours, and removed approximately
1,200 feet of old wooden bridge. Biologists can already see
positive effects on the cave biota resulting from the removal of
the contaminating creosoted artifact.
At the conclusion of the weeklong camp we had a small celebration attended by past and present volunteers and other notable personages (including AVP Steve Ormeroid) and the NPS presented an award plaque to the Restoration Camp for its dedication and work at Mammoth Cave.
At the 2005 NSS convention in Huntsville, the Mammoth Cave Restoration Committee was awarded the NSS group conservation award. The award certificate was accorded a prominent place at the August camp and many volunteers were enthusiastic about the camp receiving the award.
Short-Term Goals: Remove all remaining wood, pipe, and other debris cached in Vanderbilt Hall to the surface for disposal.
Long-Term Goals:
Complete the removal of approximately one mile of
lighting fixtures, wiring, and switchboxes from unused tourist
trail in the Silliman and El Ghor passages
Work with the NPS to determine future projects and resources needed to accomplish goals. Restoration Camp staff have already compiled a list of possible restoration projects and submitted it to the NPS. The NPS has also suggested several projects. All proposed restoration work has to go through a comprehensive review by various functions in the NPS before work can begin.
Problems: The National Park Service has indicated that once the large-scale projects (the bridge demolition and the lighting/wire removal in Silliman Avenue) are completed that it will require the attendance at future restoration camps to be downsized. No exact number has been established, but future camps will probably be much smaller than the camps have been of late.
Jay Jorden, Chairman jjorden@texoma.net
Current commission members:
Gale Beach <raybeach@earthlink.net>
Thomas Rea <tomrea@ccrtc.com>
John Wilson <wilsonjml@msn.com>
Aaron Atz <atz@netpointe.com>
Thomas Lera <frontier2@erols.com>
Progress: The commission, in the months since the last report, has continued to work with various groups in fighting cave vandalism and promoting the deterrence reward system. No new requests for awards have been received during the report period. An article publicizing the Cave Vandalism Deterrence Reward Commission is being prepared for the NSS News.
Plans: The commission 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.
David H. Jagnow, Coordinator djagnow@cybermesa.com
NSS Conservation Task Forces are created to focus on local and regional level conservation issues. The Conservation Task Force (CTF) Coordinator stands ready to lend assistance with advice and networking to any group of conservation-oriented cavers who care about protecting the future of cave and karst resources. CTFs may be formed to address any cave or karst concern on public or private property. Whether a single cave or an entire region, a situation requiring secrecy or publicity—if you are involved in cave and/or karst conservation projects, your work may benefit from CTF designation.
High Guads Restoration Project CTF (HGRP)
Jennifer Foote, Co-Coordinator
Susan Herpin, Co-Coordinator
highguads@yahoo.com
High Guads Restoration Project (HGRP) performs restoration and assists with other cave management tasks in the Lincoln National Forest in the Guadalupe Mountains in southern New Mexico. Typical work includes flowstone cleaning, formation repair, trail creation and repair, cave monitoring, impact mapping, survey, fieldwork for scientific studies, and teaching restoration and conservation to new cavers. Since 1998 the Project has contributed over a third of a million dollars worth of volunteer value.
Plans: Continue monthly work trips.
Progress: January through September 2005 we have had 70 volunteers and contributed a total of $42,000 in volunteer value.
Klamath Mountain CTF
Steve Knutson SssKnutson@aol.com
Work continues in exploring and mapping in the Marbles. We still need to draft a management plan to get things moving with the Forest Service. The recent recession and high gas prices seems to have decreased tourism at the wilderness trailhead and in the wilderness. So pressure on the caves has not increased as originally predicted. No caves seem to be getting any abuse.
David Hodges continues to work on the Cave Next Door dig. He is down at least 40 feet vertically now.
The WCC worked on getting a conservancy for the Marble Quarry Cave, in conjunction with some of our members. Mike McNichols offered legal advice and counseling and Ernie Coffman was on the scene. A plan for ownership fell through but work continues.
Oregon Caves National Monument seems to be behaving itself, and not running spelunker tours. Jay Swofford keeps track of it. The tourism decrease has affected this as well.
Sloans Valley CTF
Hilary Lambert hlhopper@prodigy.net
The Sloans Valley Conservation Task Force held an afternoon seminar at the Crocketts’, Sloans Valley Kentucky, in the late summer of 2003, but has not met since then. Chris Reynolds has been taking water samples from Sloans three times per season as part of the Subterranean Watershed Watch citizen sampling program.
In the early spring of 2005, the SVCTF (Hilary Lambert) was contacted by Jim Bennett, the endangered species expert for the Daniel Boone National Forest, USFS, and invited to participate in the planning and implementation of bat population recovery in the Minton Hollow area of the Sloans Valley Cave system.
On May 12, SVCTF member Hilary Lambert accompanied Jim Bennett, two Fish and Wildlife personnel, Jim Kennedy of Bat Conservation International, and KY bat expert John McGregor on a trip to the Minton area of Sloans.
Enough evidence of past bat populations was observed by Kennedy to indicate the need for a population study. Hilary Lambert has contacted members of the SVCTF and asked for their input, advice and reaction, to share as needed with the USFS and BCI. This process is ongoing.
During 2005, the SVCTF will be communicating with the US Forest Service regarding protection, conservation and continuing caver use of the Sloans Valley Cave system.
These updates are included to facilitate networking and improve the exchange of information between the NSS Conservation Division and conservation-focused agencies and organizations with national or regional scope.
Jim "Crash" Kennedy
Cave Resources Specialist
Bat Conservation International
jkennedy@batcon.org
Periodic updates are submitted.
Plans:
- I will be at the upcoming NSS Convention in Alabama in July. I have not planned to host any sessions or workshops this year, will be attending as many of the biology and management sessions as possible, as well as the NCKMS meeting.
- I will also be attending the NCKMS in Albany, New York in October, and will help with a resource-evaluation workshop there, and present a paper or two
- I continue to work with Texas Parks and Wildlife on bat/cave issues through their Cave and Karst Working Group and professional collaboration with Meg Goodman, their bat biologist.
- The BCI publication called "Field Guide to Eastern Cave Bats" is complete and available. This pocket-sized booklet, on waterproof paper with full color throughout, will be an invaluable aid for cavers and biologists in identifying the bats they see in the caves, and in identifying important roost caves and sites within those caves even when bats are not present. BCI has several funding partners so far and is looking for more, including the NSS.
Progress:
- Saltpetre Cave microclimate restoration project, Carter County, Kentucky. Populations in this show cave are already improving as a result of the work we have accomplished in the past several years. This past summer we worked with Brian Pease to locate a former entrance by radiolocation. ESSO Grotto is attempting the reopening of this entrance, essential to restore historic airflow and microclimate to the cave.
- Texas state park projects. I continue to sit on the Cave and Karst Working Group, an informal volunteer organization providing expert advice on cave and karst issues on Texas Parks and Wildlife Department lands. TPWD is the largest cave owner in the state, with over 400 caves and 800 karst features documented. I also work closely with TPWD's bat biologist, Meg Goodman, to better document bat usage at the major TPWD bat caves, and provide improved management.
- Appalachian saltpeter caves. BCI is starting an initiative to visit and assess larger saltpeter caves on the assumption that they were also major bat roosts before disturbance. Once we determine past population sizes through the roost staining left behind, we will determine whether bats still do not use the cave simply because of over visitation, or if there are other factors involved, such as alteration of the cave's microclimate due to the mining activity. We will work with landowners and other expert to produce better management plans for the most important caves in order to re-establish important hibernacula and hopefully increase the numbers of the endangered Indiana bat.
- Texas Cave Myotis caves. We are beginning a similar assessment project for caves with historical records of Myotis velifer to document population status. There is anecdotal information that populations of this cave-obligate bat (both summer and winter roosts) are declining range-wide and that the species may be a candidate for listing.
- Mexico bat caves. I continue to work with Dr. Arnulfo Moreno of the BCI Borderlands Program to document and protect major bat caves in the 6 northern states. This past year we contracted with Peter Sprouse of Zara Environmental to do a thorough literature search to compile a list of bat records in caves in those states. Many caves not previously targeted as bat caves were discovered, and caves in 3 areas have been selected for follow-up field work. This compliments the work we have already done in 2003 and 2004 in Coahuila.
- Lots of other things I can't think of at the moment.
Problems:
As usual, lack of time and financial support to do
everything I want to do.
Heather Garland
Cave and Karst Program Manager
The Nature Conservancy, Tennessee Chapter
615-383-9909, ext. 224
hgarland@tnc.org
TNC-Arkansas Chapter
TNC was awarded a grant through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to purchase the state’s largest Indiana bat hibernacula and 1,226 acres. This preserve connects to both the Ozark National Forest and the Buffalo National River Wilderness Area.
TNC-Kentucky Chapter
TNC Green River has been working with Western Kentucky University to identify, dye-trace, map, and conduct basic inventory of caves in the Green River project area, in particular sites in Green Co., KY in the Little Barren River system and in Adair Co., KY in the Russell Creek drainage. A family is in the process of donating 5 acres including a sinkhole and the cave entrance to TNC in the Russell Creek drainage. Both systems are very wet with flowing water and great biological potential. For example, the sites are home to gray bats. One of the greatest needs at these sites is a bioinventory of aquatic species in the systems.
TNC-Indiana Chapter
Earlier this year TNC Indiana financially assisted the Indiana Karst Conservancy with the purchase of Robinson Ladder Cave, an Indiana Bat hibernaculum.
TNC-East Kalimantan, Indonesia
TNC staff and partners conducted bioinventories in and around several karst formations in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. The results of this inventory, which included surface species as well as troglobites, revealed remarkable results. The collected information will now be used to develop a zoning plan for the Sangkulirang Karst region, by request of the provincial government.
TNC-Tennessee Chapter
*The donation of a gray bat maternity cave and the surrounding 265 acres to TNC was finalized and a gate constructed this summer at the request of the donor. This same gentleman has recently purchased another critical gray bat year-round cave. TNC will be purchasing this cave from him by the end of the year with habitat recovery funding from the USFWS.
*To continue ongoing cave faunal surveys, TNC acquired funding from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency for bio-inventories of 72 additional cave sites along the Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee. Dr. Jerry Lewis conducted these surveys with the help of his assistant Salisa Rafail, numerous local NSS members, and TNC staff. More than 100 globally rare species have now been documented, including more than 40 undescribed species. Dr. Lewis is currently publishing the descriptions of 6 new species of cave millipedes from this and the previous study.
*In order for state wildlife agencies to continue receiving federal wildlife grant funding, the federal government is requiring that each state develop a comprehensive statewide conservation plan. The goals of these plans are to identify target species for protection, threats to these targets, and strategies for protection. The statewide conservation plans will guide both funding and conservation activities for the states, making it critical that cave species be included so that their protection is not overlooked. As of October 1st, this plan has been completed and includes rare cave species as important targets for conservation attention.
*TNC purchased two tracts along the Duck River adjacent to a Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency property called Yanahli. These properties contain numerous caves and sinkholes that contribute to the diverse Duck River aquatic fauna.
Missouri Cooperative Activity Update
William R. Elliott, Ph.D.
Cave Biologist, Missouri Department of Conservation
elliow@mdc.state.mo.us
Periodic updates are submitted.
KEEP Activity Update
Hilary Lambert
Hilary@KWAlliance.org
KEEP, Inc. is incorporated and has a web site at http://www.keepinc.org and sends regular reports to the Conservation Committee
Amy M. Bern, Division Chief
Progress:
Nothing new to report (see summer 2005 report).
Deborah Bulkley from the Deseret News, a Provo, UT newspaper, conducted an interview with Amy Bern and a number of Utah cavers, following the death of 4 students in a sump "free-dive." The article focused on cave safety and the reaction of cavers to the tragedy.
Two workshops on caves and karst were given at the Dinosaur Ridge National Historic Site, Morrison, CO the weekend of October 1. The Association for Women Geoscientists (AWG) sponsored the event. Over 1000 people attended the event and an estimated 175 people attended the cave workshop.
Plans:
I need to talk with the NSS office to ensure that the money for the CDs goes to the right place. I also need to discuss CD distribution by the NSS Bookstore. Gary Lewis, GSA, sees no problem with this.
See Report below. An advertisement has been sent to the NSS News (November issue) and various caver list serves.
I will be rounding up people in the division to write something on each of their committees for this issue.
Presentations for one school, one Boy Scout Group, and one Girl Scout Troop are in planning. There is talk of developing some kind of Scout Leader Training for troop leaders that take scouts caving. The first step is to find someone to lead this mission. The second is to collect information from other groups who have already developed such programs.
As the new year approaches I want to look into ways to enhance communication and organization within the division. Developing these two areas will be a start to increasing efficiency and productivity. Of course, we also need to recruit more members for our committees to help distribute the increasing activity load of the division as more programs and collaborations develop.
Problems:
Paula Grgich-Warke (Chairman)
It is with regret that I write today to resign from my post as the Chairman of the Education Grants and Scholarship Committee.
As you are aware, since my move to the UK, I have attempted to involve myself in the needs of UK caving organizations. More specifically, my recent appointment as Secretary to the newly formed British Caving Association has become a much larger commitment than I first realized it would be. I feel that in order to best serve my adopted home caving, my volunteer efforts better serve the BCA at this point in time.
I am willing to assist in whatever capacity until a replacement can be found. I hope that the NSS is able to continue its good work, and money for research and educational outreach continue to be available. My time working with various American caving organizations was invaluable in providing me with insights that I hope now can be beneficial to the UK.
Barbara L. Moss (Chairman)
New email address: techtchr@gmail.com
Plans:
Web Page: Continue to update links as they come in.
Progress and Problems:
Nothing to report. No problems at this time.
Rebecca Jones (Chairman)
No report received.
Pat Bingham (Chairman)
Progress:
The members of the YGLC are currently working on:
Charles Acklin has developed a PowerPoint presentation and has mailed it to me. I will make changes, if any needed which I doubt, and put it on the YGLC website for others to download and use.
Steve Howard is taking the lead on this.
The IT Committee is helping me learn to put information on the website myself.
I have updated and changed the formatting of the brochure series. Very minor modifications were made.
Plans:
No plans other than repairing the website at this time.
Problems:
I need to start another search for people who have the
time to follow through on projects and complete them. I'm having
problems in this area myself. There is so much to do and this is
going to take considerable time and effort.
Report to National Speleological Society
Administrative Vice President
October 6, 2005
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: http://www.ncrc.info
Board of Regional Coordinators (BORC)
Doug Moore (Eastern Region Coordinator)
David Ashburn (Training Coordinator)
Roger Mortimer (Western Region Coordinator)
Bob Rodgers (Southwestern Region Coordinator)
Steve Mosberg, 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)
Forrest Wilson (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 2005 National Cave Rescue Seminar was held in
Alabama, June 25 – July 2. Over 90 students participated.
Jeff Burns should be congratulated for doing an excellent job as
site coordinator for the event.
Orientation to Cave Rescue classes were held in Oregon and Arkansas.
A small-party rescue class was held in Oregon.
A multi-agency mock rescue scenario was conducted at Mammoth Caves, with NCRC trained personnel actively involved.
NCRC Southeastern Region personnel assisted the Huntsville Cave Rescue Unit with its annual Basic Cave Rescue Orientation Seminar in August.
A mock rescue was held in Gainesville, Florida to test the Florida cave rescue call-out system. NCRC has helped identify person trained for cave rescue, and the mock call-out included approximately 30 NCRC trained cavers.
A major curriculum revision was completed in time for utilization at the 2005 national seminar. The new curriculum was specifically evaluated for Levels 1 and 2 and additional modifications will be considered at the next meeting of the NCRC Education Board.
New, more rigorous, instructor recertification standards were implemented at this summer’s national seminar. A detailed instructor update session was held and many instructors availed themselves of opportunities to take the written test required by the new standards.
New, more rigorous, entry and exit evaluations were implemented for all levels at the 2005 national seminar.
A draft of our NCRC textbook was made available for final review and comment at the NCRC national seminar. Work on illustrations and layout is progressing.
Plans:
The 2006 NCRC National Cave Rescue Seminar will be held
in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, April 8 through 15.
Orientations to Cave Rescue and other regional specialty classes are being planned in Indiana and Kentucky.
Problems:
Nothing of overwhelming significance
Carol Tiderman, Chairman
Progress
Plans
Problems
None at this time
No written report as of this time. Plans and discussions are ongoing with the two new Chairman of the Salons Committee to review positions, responsibilities and updates to the descriptions of the various salons.
Chairman: William (Bill) Jackson
wjackson44@comcast.net
Vice-Chairman: Don Shofstall
Chairmen NSS I/O Committee: Evelyn Bradshaw, Keith Wheeland
No report
Rick and Faye Bowersox Co-Chairmen
321 Pinecliff Dr
Las Vegas, Nevada 89145-5259
Phone: (702) 242-6995
Fax: (702) 242-6916
LavaBeds@cox.net
Progress:
Plans:
Problems:
No problems to report at this time.
McFails Cave Nature Preserve
9/12/2005
Thomas Rider
Progress - McFails Cave officially opened on 7/16/2005 - a full two months later then normal. A particularly wet spring may have had something to do with it. Since then, there have been 10 trips into the cave this year. Most have been recreational but there is ongoing exploration beyond Asia Dome with new passage being surveyed. Additionally, Nethaway's Dome as been re-climbed but no new passage netted. The trees that had fallen across the trail this past spring were removed and several of the fences repaired.
Plans - The plans haven't changed since my last report. The gate at the Hall's Hole entrance still needs to be replaced and the gate at Ack's Shack repaired. I continue to be unsuccessful in finding someone to do the job. Other plans include meeting with the landowner of Wick's Hole, the creation of a brochure describing the property (in-progress) and an update to the management plan (in-progress). The revision to the management plan is to reflect changes that have occurred over the last 15-years (i.e., new discoveries) and new requirements for entry into the cave. A cleanup of the property will be conducted this fall.
Problems - No problems to report.
Shelta Preserve Report September 2005
Plans:
Stand down from bat monitoring for the winter season for resumption next spring. We may explore the cave for possible bat habitat locations. Check out the perennial waterfall in the back of the cave to take water samples. This waterfall may be from a leak in the city water system. Through our efforts the city has plugged two leaks in the area and we wish to see if the waterfall has stopped during this dry season.
Progress:
We continued to monitor bats from April through September and found numbers of bats exiting the cave have increased from the previous two seasons. The highest single night number of bats exiting Shelta this year was twenty. Prior to removing the gates from the cave no more than 2 or 3 bats had been observed on any given occasion. Our methodology for observing bats is to use night vision scopes at both entrances and observe the entrances for 30 minutes after departure of the first bat from the cave.
Problems:
There was minor tree fall on the property due to hurricane Katrina which was cleared by Bill Torode. Two raccoons, which were discovered to be eating our bats were trapped and relocated to a new habitat.
Schoharie Caverns Preserve Report
September 2005
Robert Addis
(We ain't no nature preserve. Never have been; never will!)
The Preserve starts its 36th year as the focal point to much of Northeastern caving, 12 years under NSS ownership. The obvious: A nice walking cave and a fine field house in the middle of caving country. Not-So-Obvious: An educational institution to many young people who have never lived without electricity, used an outhouse, oil lamp and/or wood stove.
Visitation continues at an expected level, soon to increase for the back to college crowd before Old Man Winter puts a stop to most of that. Two social events that I know about this summer - The Helderberg Hudson Grotto meeting and picnic and the Northeastern Cave Conservancy's annual BBQ.
So, progress is doing what we are supposed to do. Lawn mowing and outhouse cleanout continue, and cavers are happy.
Problems - no real ones. Rumors of a planned underage party never materialized. I'm in a bit of a squeeze deciding whether to permit a cave dive in its sump in Oct. It's dangerous, been done before through 5(?) sumps although he only wants to video the first one, and he doesn't have any sump diving experience. Loads of open water clear cavern diving experience, including shipwrecks. He submitted a written plan, somewhat generalized and not site specific. My cave diving buddy in the NSS in the NE, Mike Martecello, and I took them into the sump for a recon, and STILL they weren't discouraged! I asked him if he had ever videoed in chocolate milk because that's what you get after the first diver is in, and he seemed happy with that. SINCE WE HAVE NO WRITTEN POLICY ON CAVE DIVING, THE BOARD NEEDS TO TELL ME SOON WHAT I SHOULD DO, PREFERABLY BEFORE OCT.
Plans? Next year we'll have to paint the exterior of the Cabin again. A caver is a painter w/spray gun, so it's just the cost of paint. May need driveway work - stone and machinery - but another caver has the equipment and has volunteered.
I remind the Board that Schoharie is a profit center, i.e. our donations far exceed our expenses, even capital expenses. The NSS should be so lucky to have that situation at each Preserve!
Speleologically,
Bob Addis, Chairman
TYTOONA CAVE NATURE PRESERVE REPORT – September 2005
Submitted by Garrett Czmor, NSS 22709(R)(FE)
(Manager/Chairman)
Plans and Progress:
(some ongoing from previous report)
Some work on the erosion wall washed out by last year "Ivan" storm have taken place.
On-going as usual with management trips to the property averaging 2 times a month. The kiosk brochures seem to need replenished each time. The cave register was serviced twice so far this year.
Assuming the letter was received by the supervisor, no reply has come back yet. Perhaps I will need to resend the letter as certified mail? No word from the WPC either, however I will follow up by contacting them again about this subject.
No concrete plans yet as to when this visit might happen.
There have been about 4 planned dives this year and the survey work phase is nearing completion.
I (along with help from other cavers), lead an educational caving trip for the Schuylkill Center (of environmental education); Nature Ramblers. The group was highly impressed and sent a very nice letter of appreciation.
A Penn State student is planning to do a Tytoona water dye trace study. She is receiving some guidance under our very own well-liked and local native caver Dr. Will White. So far, no date has been set.
Also …. Another but small cave located in the Tytoona sink has been surveyed by members of the Huntingdon Co. Cave Hunters, Inc. (NSS). The cave was named "Tytoona Cavelet."
Problems: Nothing of any great proportion but vandals removed a set of small signs along the parking area by the road. The signs have since been replaced with new ones.
GREAT EXPECTATIONS CAVE NATURE PRESERVE
Note: the items listed below relate to the associated points in the published Management plan. Go to:
http://www.caves.org/preserves/gxcp/mp-grtx.html
GENERAL MANAGEMENT
a. Done
b. Done
c. Has not been deemed necessary at this time, possibly in the future.
CAVE MANAGEMENT
CAVE RESOURCES
a. We are currently compiling photo documentation of the formations in the cave.
b. Most of this is already addressed in the Management Plan, management committee will produce written plan later this year.
c. We have opened discussion with BLM on this subject, we are following up on this.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES
a. Have revised permit to include this
b. Tested base flow into Great X and inside the Exit for water quality, in August. Results indicate no problems. (Energy Labs donated the testing ~$100/sample)
c. Need someone willing to do this.
d. Haven’t explored this yet. Do we really want the Feds involved?
e. They are currently doing this with the cooperation of the grazing lease holders.
f. Are on their mailing lists for such documents.
g. A map has been prepared. We are still gathering data. Maps and key information are being given out upon request.
h. We had hoped to have a paleontologist or two from the Tate Museum in Casper examine the resources this fall but they could not schedule a trip. We did photograph some of the specimens in the Cephalopod malt shop for them to look at.
VISITORS
a. The only portion of this that hasn’t been accomplished involves the web page.
b. See a.
c. None have requested a permit.
d. We have only had one enquiry.
e. It is.
f. See a.
g. Is being done. Lock was changed in August.
h. Is being done. Gate was inspected and looks fine.
i. No i.
j. Hasn’t been yet.
k. Were placed in the caves this fall.
l. We are coordinating with the regional NCRC coordinator.
SURFACE MANAGEMENT
ACCESS
a. Forest Service was contacted and indicated that foot access was not a problem.
b. Has not required any maintenance.
c. Have not pursued this yet.
d. One gate is not on the property the other two allow access to private lands west of our property.
e. Need to talk to Forest Service regarding status of this road.
ENVIRONMENTAL
a. Had a weed and pest person lined up to look at the property but he couldn’t go on the trip, maybe next year.
b. It already has been withdrawn.
c. Have been requested.
d. Have not been approached.
e. They are currently doing this.
VISITORS
a. New signs were posted in September.
b. Have not designated areas, no one has requested to camp on the preserve
c. See b.
PROPERTY
a. This is being done.
b. They are
c. This was scheduled for this year, but the archeologist is swamped with other work.
d. There are none.
e. An attempt is being made to determine who that is along with other landowners who own property above the cave passages.
Attachment A-2
Carol Tiderman, Convention Development Committee
Essex Jct. VT - 2010
Anticipated attendance - 1,000
The session facilities and camping will all be located on one venue – consisting of 133 acres. The majority of the rooms in the facility are air conditioned – a few small out buildings are not.
There is adequate camping space to allow groups to set up quiet and noisy camps. There are full RV hookups available, as well as those with just power and water, at an additional fee. The furthest tent will be located within a 10 minute walk from the session facility. There are 30 showers on site and adequate flush toilets. No pets are allowed, but a list of pet friendly campgrounds, kennels and doggie day care will be available.
There are multiple AC locations where the ceiling will facilitate hanging ropes for the vertical sessions. There is a meeting room that will accommodate ~300, one at ~250 and 3 for ~150-200 – the latter can have the dividers removed to provide seating for the large sessions such as exploration. There is a room that holds ~30 that can be used for the Boardclosed meeting and other small sessions. There is a detached AC building that will hold ~50-60 for mid size sessions. There is a very large hall that can accommodate ~2000 that will be used for the Photo Salon and the Banquet. The acoustics in the hall are good. Another large hall will be shared by the vendors and salons. Attendees will pass through this hall to reach the 3 large meeting rooms. The site has pipe and drape available for delineating the vendor spaces, as well as free standing displays and wall space for the salons. This area is securable at night. A separate building approx. 30x40 can be used for the Fine Arts Salon, It has spot lights on tracks and can easily accommodate additional clip on lights if needed. This building is securable at night. There are several small rooms for staff use and meetings of 10 or less. If there is any negative aspect to this site, it is the lack of small rooms seating 30 people.
At this time the staff is planning to hold all events on this site, eliminating the need for shuttles.
Evening events – Due to state laws, a beer garden arrangement must be used. There is a building on site for this purpose. It has indoor and outdoor seating. We can enlarge the outdoor area using orange fencing.
Local ordinances dictate that sound levels cannot exceed 80db at the fence line and a cutoff time of 11:00 P.M.
In the event of rain, the evening parties can be moved indoors, however the beer garden arrangement will not change.
JSS central will be located in a separate building that can be used as their gathering place and the meeting place for trips. It is also in a good location for vending ice. Some local activities available for the JSS are a climbing wall, a pool, and 2 ice rinks and the new ECHO Museum – an Aquarium and Science Center located along Lake Champlain in Burlington.
Food service is available on site. There are also many fast food restaurants within a 5 minute walk from sessions. There are other restaurants about 2 city blocks away.
There are adequate motel rooms nearby and the staff will be working on getting discounted rates for convention attendees.
The location is less than 3 miles from the airport. There is also train service into Burlington.
Caving – There will be led and self guided trips in the area during the week, in addition to pre and post convention camps.
In the area, there is also available a wide variety of outdoor activities available – hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, etc.
The local grotto and the region support the convention being hosted in Vermont.
The staff members I met were enthusiastic, they asked questions and were willing to listen. Those who have never attended a convention, plan to do so and to work with the person having the same position in order to do some OJT.
The site staff appears to be very excited about our convention, as it is very different from anything they have hosted before. They projected the desire to provide whatever we needed and went out of their way to show us materials that have that might be used for our salons and other activities. They have 2 man lifts available for hanging ropes for the vertical events. They are willing to help us find anything we might need. They also are agreeable to letting a community service group hold a fund raiser dinner one evening and to have the Red Cross on site for a blood drive.
I consider this to be a very workable site. Worst case scenario, we may wind up in rooms that are too big in some cases. There are no tiered seating rooms, but this is not a first. There has never been a convention in Vermont and this could be a draw to attendees, especially if promoted as a family vacation site. The proposed convention staff is a mix of new and experienced people with a drive to make it a great event. The site staff and the community seem to want us to come and have a great experience.
10/19/05