NSS Cave Management
Division
Cave and Karst
Acquisition Committee
Conservancies Committee
Closed Cave Database
Committee
Contemporary
Cave Use Study Committee
Land Owner Relations
Committee
NSS Cave Preserves
Committee
NSS Conservation Division
Conservation Committee
Discovering Caves
Brochure Series
Conservation Division Website
GIS/ESRI Liaison to NSS Convervation
NSS Liaison
for The Nature Conservancy
NSS Liaison for KEEP
NSS Liaison
for Virtual Cave Trip Production
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
Television/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
2003 NSS Convention
2004 NSS Convention
Junior Speleological
Society
Salons Committee
Congress of Grottos
Attachment C-1 – NSS Cave
Preserves Detailed Reports
Attachment C-2 – Texas Cave
Conservancy Application
Attachment C-3 – Mill Creek Sink
Cave Preserve Management Plan
Thomas Lera
The Department of the Administrative Vice President consists of 16 Committees, two Commissions, and two NSS Convention Host Committees, within these are nine Conservation Task Forces, twelve Cave Preserves, twelve NSS Conservancies, and several sub-committees.
The current name and contact information for the chair of each organizational entity may be found at in the table of Current Personnel. If the complete name and address or email address is listed, please notify me.
First, as announced, I signed a Cooperative Agreement with the National Park Service for a five-year restoration program for $30,000 of matching funds per year. This is the largest single grant the NSS has ever received and the resulting restoration work will be very significant. Second, the Management Plan and Donation Agreement for the Potter Unit is nearing completion and hopefully will be presented at the Spring Board meeting. Finally, the Education Division is very active nationwide. Read their report you will definitely agree, also you will find a detailed report from Mike Adams on Report on the National Cave Resource Education Initiative. The Safety and Techniques column is reborn in the October NSS News, with more columns scheduled to appear in the future.
Fall Report
Bill Palmer has resigned and I have advertised for a replacement Division Chief.
Philip Moss, Chairman
Members: Lee Florea, and David Taylor
Progress:
Potter Unit (Oklahoma)– The donation has still not
gone through as of this writing. This is a 189-acre parcel with
two caves on it in Oklahoma. The owners, Dennis and Kenneth
Potter, wish to donate the property to the NSS. The caves provide
habitat for Ozark big-eared bats, which are Federally-listed as
endangered. The Board has agreed to accept the donation. The U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service has agreed to continue to manage the
property. The Tulsa Regional Oklahoma Grotto (TROG) has
volunteered to cover transfer costs and property taxes (they
believe that it is advantageous to pay the taxes, rather than to
apply for relief from them). TROG has already paid the cost of an
appraisal.
There are three documents involved with the transfer: a donation agreement, a preserve draft management plan, and a draft management agreement between the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the NSS. The latter two documents are were submitted at the last Board meeting and the former should be completed very soon. I think that we need to execute the donation agreement before executing the management agreement.
Limrock Blowing Cave (Alabama) – The Southeastern Cave Conservancy (SCCi) has expressed interest in a $5,000 grant from the NSS to help with the purchase of this cave. As of this writing, the committee is awaiting more information from SCCi. I expect to have the information prior to the August 2003 meeting and will provide it to the AVP as soon as practical. A motion on the grant request will be on the agenda if the information is received in time.
Wolf River Cave (Tennessee) - The Southeastern Cave Conservancy (SCCi) has expressed interest in a $5,000 grant from the NSS to help with the purchase of this cave. As of this writing, the committee is awaiting more information from SCCi. I expect to have the information prior to the August 2003 meeting and will provide it to the AVP as soon as practical. A motion on the grant request will be on the agenda if the information is received in time.
Wayne Cave (Indiana) – The Indiana Karst Conservancy has expressed interest in a $5,000 grant to help support the purchase of this cave. Their intent is to have a motion on the Fall 2003 agenda but not yet received.
Plans:
To continue to review cave and karst properties identified for
acquisition by the NSS, offered as donations to the NSS, and
those applications for NSS acquisition grants.
To create a form to be completed by people requesting a grant through this committee. It would serve to streamline the application process and transfer more of the work to those requesting a grant.
John M. Wilson, Chairman
Home email: john@wilsonj.org
Plans:
We continue to work on various Cave Conservancy issues and
services.
Progress:
The Texas Cave Conservancy has applied for NSS Cave Conservancy
designation and this committee recommends approval. (Attachment C-2) This is the 14th
application to the NSS for conservancy designation. Twelve of the
13 previous applicants are still active. The Ellis Cave
Conservancy disbanded many years.
The Cave Conservancies Committee website has been improved and some new information tables added. Details can be found at the conservancy web page at: http://www.caves.org/committee/ccc/ . Several unaffiliated cave conservancies have been sent invitations to adopt the NSS cave conservancy designation. I have had two response inquiries to date. There is potential for more applications from this effort.
I will add a report from the Convention Conservancies Roundtable if it arrives in time.
Problems:
Links to the Cave Conservancy Committee website in the AVP report
are modified and do not work once they are placed on the Board
page of the NSS web site.
The insurance underwriters for the Land Trust Alliance have decided not to insure land trusts that are primarily cave conservancies when caves are significant part of the risk. They have grandfathered in the present LTA conservancies but do not plan to add any others at this time. Their agent is researching other possibilities but he is not optimistic of finding anything other than insurance with high-risk premiums.
There is a motion on the agenda to sunset this committee.
Garrett Czmor, NSS 22709(R)(FE), Chairman.
Nothing new to report at this time.
There is a motion on the agenda to sunset this committee.
Gary Bush, Chairman
E-mail: gary@wgbush.com
I. General:
Reports were received from eight of the twelve NSS 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 report in Section II of this
report. Overall, the properties continue to be in good condition.
Detailed Reports are in Attachment C-1.
1) Progress:
Since the old gates were removed from the Shelta Cave entrances,
small bat flights have been observed this summer, where there
were none before. Maintenance and cleanup projects have been
conducted at Warrens, Schoharie, and Mill Creek Sinks Preserves.
Similar projects are planned for this fall at the John Guilday
and Wells Preserves. The Mill Creek Sink Management Plan is
submitted for approval (Attachment C-3).
2) Plans:
Initial inquiries are planned with the landowner of the property
adjacent to McFails Cave, after the summer farming season, to
discuss Wickes Hole. The presumed connection of Wickes Hole to
McFails Cave is currently blocked by debris. Gate repairs are
planned at McFails. Bat activity will continue to be monitored at
Shelta to determine if recent bat flights are due to permanent
residents. A significant regrading project is projected for next
summer at Schoharie Caverns. I plan to discuss the posting of
liability waivers on the Preserve websites to relieve the
property managers of some of the current printing problems.
3) Problems:
No serious problems have been reported. The wall slippage in
Warrens Cave seems to have stabilized. Problems between visitor
groups at Schoharie Preserve this summer have prompted a review
of Preserve rules, for there and at nearby cave properties.
II. PROPERTY STATUS:
* McFails Cave (NY): A meeting with the adjacent property
owner is planned after the farming season to discuss Wickes Hole,
a new cave entrance just off our property. This is a potential
connection to McFails Cave, but the passage is currently blocked
by debris. Two entrance gates still need repair. Plans to review
the Management Plan are under discussion.
* Shelta Cave (AL): Bats have been observed exiting the cave in recent weeks. While not yet high numbers, there had been no activity at this time of the year prior to removal of the old gates. Whether or not these bats are permanent visitors hasn’t been determined. New preserve signs are planned for Shelta.
* John Guilday Cave Preserve (WV): A dig to uncover the lost saltpeter passage is underway in Trout Cave. A new bat study has been started. The annual Conservacation is scheduled for October 4th.
* Kingston Saltpeter Cave Preserve (GA): (No Report received this period)
* Barton Hill Karst Preserve (NY): (No Report received this period)
* Warrens Cave (FL): The annual cave cleanup is underway. Recent rains have ended the long drought in the area that was responsible for the outbreak of pine-beetle infestations. We lost about ten 80’ pine trees to this outbreak last year. The dead trees were removed with no cost to the Preserve. No additional signage is recommended for the property by the manager. After a large portion of wall slipped previously, there has been no additional movement in that area. Visitors are still warned to be careful there. Visitation at Warrens has been reduced in recent years, presumably due to new discoveries in other areas of Florida. The need for stocking of liability waivers has been almost eliminated by use of a web posting by the manager. Potential visitors can download and print their waivers prior to arriving at the property.
* Donald R. Russell Preserve (OK): (No Report received this period)
* Schoharie Caverns (NY): A huge cleanup of the property resulted in tons of trash being removed. Surface regrading for the driveway and to improve drainage is planned for mid-2004. There could be a large expense (about $500) for this work. This should be budgeted, even though local donations will probably cover the cost. Visitation rules for all the cave preserves in the area are being updated to forestall visitor problems.
* Mill Creek Sink Preserve (FL): This preserve, formerly called Alachua Sinks, has been renamed to be consistent with local authorities. Correspondence addressing this name change is attached at the very bottom of this report. Poor-to-no visibility has prevented any diving at the Sink this quarter. Surface cleanups have occurred. Recertifying of guides is underway to comply with new CDS requirements. An updated Management Plan should be submitted for Board approval at this meeting.
* Tytoona Cave Preserve (PA): Abnormally high rainfall this summer has increased the water level in the cave. More NSS brochures are needed for the kiosk. Little has changed since the last report.
* Wells Cave Preserve (KY): The parking lot and kiosk are complete. An adjacent landowner is helping with trail maintenance. TNC has offered native reseeding this fall. Funds will have to be budgeted to complete trail construction on the property.
* GreatX Cave Preserve (WY): We finalized the survey for the Great X Preserve and are currently pursuing the final recording of the adjustments to the property boundary. I will be sending information to the Board meeting. We have had two through trips and several other trips into the upper parts of the cave. I have a caver lined up to do an archeology survey of the surface. Other than that not much else is happening. Bob
Respectfully Submitted, September 3, 2003,
W. Gary Bush
Chairman, NSS Cave Preserves Committee
Jim C. Werker & Val Hildreth-Werker, Division Chiefs
Since we submitted a lengthy report recently for the NSS Convention, held in August, this report consists of only brief updates. Please refer to Summer 2003 Report for more detailed information.
Jim C. Werker & Val Hildreth-Werker, Co-Chairmen werks@zianet.com
Publication of Bat Gate Design Manual—The Conservation Chairmen continue to recommend that the NSS purchase 200 copies.
Second Site Visit to Oregon Caves National Monument—Jim and Val traveled to Oregon Caves National Monument in May, 2003, again in August, 2003, and plan to return in November. Representatives from the Monument attended Convention, held a special session on Oregon Caves, presented a long list of volunteer projects and invited cavers to contact them and make arrangements to participate. Some monitoring projects have been initiated and planning for others is progressing.
Biennial Report—Jim and Val request the opportunity to review the final manuscript for the Biennial Report before publication. Several items collected from our Conservation reports were reworded in the first Biennial Report, which resulted in the distribution of misleading and inaccurate information. Please contact Jim & Val with materials for final review: werks@zianet.com phone 505-895-5050.
NSSNews—We are seeking material for the 2004 Conservation Issue. The 2004 Issue will focus on GIS in cave conservation and Bernie Szukalski of ESRI has agreed to partner with us on the upcoming issue.
Book—The manuscript of Cave Conservation and Restoration has been submitted for layout and the book is slated for publication during 2003
Convention—Good attendance at the Monday Restoration Forum, the Tuesday Conservation and Management Session, the Graffiti Removing Demo on Friday, and the Cultural Resources Symposium on Friday.
Seminars & Workshops—Will attend NCKMS in Florida and planning seminars in Arizona/Utah, California, and Oregon.
Cheryl Jones, Coordinator
Mike Dale, Graphic Design
No new comments.
Simon Hughes, Coordinator
simon@strumble.com
Nothing new to report.
Bern Szukalski
bszukalski@esri.com
Updates since last report:
NSS 2003 GIS Symposium was a success, great papers, great attendance. A total of seven papers plus one poster.
GIS Workshop at Oregon Caves on July 25th was completed. Met again with Deana DeWire at the convention to go over some data issues with the survey data. That seems to be resolved. Working on "delayering" of AutoCAD map of cave for GIS overlay. Will deliver a completed ArcGIS project back to Deana when completed.
ESRI User cave/karst GIS SIG meeting in July. A total of three papers were presented.
Another potential cave GIS workshop possibly scheduled in November at Pohakuloa Training Center in Hawaii. PTC wants to continue survey and inventory work, and implement in GIS.
In process of seeking ESRI funding for a Cave/Karst GIS book, similar to other ESRI Press titles (e.g. "GIS In Telecommunications", "Transportation GIS"). Joel Despain to co-edit.
Working to implement ArcPad interface for cave inventory at Jewel Cave w. Rene Ohms.
Will attend Sinkhole and Engineering Conference in Huntsville in September.
Heather Garland
hgarland@tnc.org
As the Cave and Karst Program Manager for the Tennessee Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, I have the opportunity to meet and work with cavers from across the state. It is difficult to imagine the success of cave conservation without the support and dedication of so many people in the NSS community. No new comments.
Hilary Lambert
Hilary@KWAlliance.org
As this is just a brief update, I will summarize. KEEP is working with concerned citizens and organizations on several issues that would impact central Kentucky karst and Mammoth Cave. These include the proposed KY TriModal Transpark, the proposed Thoroughbred Power Plant, and the proposed Interstate 66.
The Kentucky TriModal Transpark:
We will soon be requesting letters of support from NSS leaders,
to request of federal agencies that a full EIS be conducted for
this site prior to any further development.
We had an article in the 2003 NSS News Conservation Issue, and will gladly do another one for 2004. The KEEP Web site includes two major documents, KEEP Perspective 1 and 2, and much more – www.stoptranspark.org . Western Kentucky University professors/geologists/KEEP members Drs. Mike May and Ken Kuehn have made several prestigious presentations regarding the bad science carried out to bolster this proposed project; they plan one or more publications of this information. Roger W. Brucker is presenting on the topic of "Can the Transpark Pollute Mammoth Cave?" on September 8 at the Ninth Multidisciplinary Conference on Sinkholes and the Engineering and Environmental Impacts of Karst in Huntsville, Alabama.
Proposed I-66:
KEEP is working with KICK 66, the Sierra Club, KY Heartwood and
other groups to put the brakes on the proposed new coast to coast
Interstate 66. In KY this bad project would impact much karst,
and would be built on the southern edge of Mammoth Cave NP. KEEP
is cooperating with cavers, including Larry Simpson, who have
organized a campaign to "Save Short Creek Cave/Sinking
Valley Drainage" in the proposed I-66 corridor near
Somerset, Kentucky. KEEP will be participating in the Eastern
Bioregion Road Fighting Summit, to be held in Morehead, Kentucky,
in mid-November.
Proposed Thoroughbred Power
Plant:
Roger W. Brucker wrote an article for the June 2003 issue of the NSS
News regarding this major coal fired plant, that would be
built 50 miles upwind of Mammoth Cave NP. KEEP members Brucker,
Lambert, and Leslie Barras are citizen plaintiffs in an
administrative action brought by the Sierra Club to oppose the
air permit issued for this mega-merchant power plant. Mammoth
Cave NP already has the distinction of being one of the
nation’s most air-polluted parks. Air pollution impacts from
this new source would be deleterious to the park’s biota,
both on the surface and below ground. An excellent article about
the Washington politics in this situation was published in the
September issue of Vanity Fair magazine.
KEEP continues to work on these major issues, and will provide an update for the 2004 NSS News Conservation Issue.
Bill Frantz
frantz@pwpconsult.com
Provides advice and encouragement for people wanting to build virtual cave trips.
Virtual caves may allow many people to visit a cave and create no new impact.
Virtual cave CDs were produced for the 2003 NSS Convention and included with the Guidebooks. Check it out. Wonderful trip.
Robert J. (Bob) Hall, Coordinator
rj.hall7@verizon.net
No new comments.
David L. Joaquim, Chairman
caveconservation@hotmail.com
Progress:
Touched base with Rick Toomey at Kartchner Caverns regarding
monitoring other Arizona caves for a comparison with studies
currently going on in Kartchner.
Contacted Grand Canyon Caverns about setting up a time to evaluate needs for a restoration project.
Planning augmentation of conservation outreach displays.
Plans:
Start setting up monitoring stations in Arizona caves.
Set up a schedule with Grand Canyon Caverns.
Work with Jim and Val on outreach display materials.
With school now beginning, set up some karst hydrology and cave conservation awareness programs.
Roy Vanhoozer
RVanhoo@aol.com
New Cooperative Five Year Agreement signed with funding at $30,000 per year.
Jim "Crash" Kennedy
Cave Resources Specialist, Bat Conservation International
Only one addition so far—will be conducting bat protection workshop in Gainsville, Florida the day after NCKMS.
Hazel A. Barton-Olsen (Chairman)
Amy Bern (Committee member)
Larry Flemming (Committee member)
Bob Hall (Committee member)
Nothing new to report at this time.
Albert A. Krause, Chairman
aakrause@ufl.edu
No new comments.
Thomas Lera
Continue to communicate with the international conservation community and promote protection of caves and karst.
NSS Cave Vandalism Deterrence Reward Commission
Jay Jorden, Chairman
No new comments.
2003 Fall Report
Amy M. Bern, Division Chief
Progress:
Safety and Techniques Committee Chairman
Anmar Mirza was approved by the Board as Safety and Techniques Chairman. His contact information is:
Anmar Mirza (NSS#45765)
3430 Huron-Williams Rd
Williams IN 47470
sseg@kiva.net
812-388-6917Anmar has given his vision for the S&T Committee is in his first article for the S&T Column in the NSS News and in his report below.
Education Division Lunch
The Education Division Lunch at the NSS Convention in Porterville went very well. I enjoyed meeting everyone and especially loved seeing the exchange of ideas. I think the committees of this division are going to have a great time working together. We had 13 people attend. All committees were represented, except Safety and Techniques, which was not filled until the following Friday. We’ll have to have them join us at the next Convention meeting.
AGI Environmental Science Textbook
Mike Smith, Education Director of AGI, has asked the NSS to have a spot on the Environmental Textbook Advisory Board. Barbara Moss has agreed to attend the first meeting, on September 5th. A report on that meeting is forthcoming. I am putting together an Ad Hoc Committee for this project. See progress below (AGI Environmental Science Textbook Ad-Hoc)
Plans:
Grants and Scholarships
Received a grant request from Stephen J. Vermette, Buffalo State University for an $800 grant to continue his cave education class. I gave a copy to Paula for review at the NSS Convention.
Received an email from Jeff Carter, public school teacher in Indiana for information about our educational grants (also forwarded to Paula).
We need to get things rolling with the Grants and Scholarships Committee. Paula and I will be discussing this committee a bit more over the next few months.
ANS Rust Sanctuary is having a "BATSRAVAGANZA" in September. I notified the Education Division and Barbara Moss is checking in to things that the NSS could do. She is starting with the NSS backboard display availability. Pat Bingham may also be able to help.
NPS Cave and Karst Education Initiative
Over $8,000 is left in the account. Peg Sorensen and I discussed a couple of ways the money could be spent. One idea was lamination costs for visual aids. A second was developing a regional educational video library with titles for loan to area teachers and scout groups. Mike Adams’s final report is below (Associated Projects and Societies- National Cave Resource Education Initiative).
Problems:
None. Just help us spread the word, so we can get more people involved.
Paula Grgich, (Chairman)
Nothing new to report.
Barbara L. Moss (Chairman)
Plans:
Looking for regional photos about different caves types and formations to include in the Cave Lessons CD. Will send out postcards and emails to grottos, and those people requesting NSS info to encourage them to try the Yahoo Discussion Group.
Create a discussion group for chairs and committees under the Education Division.
AGI HS Book Work with Harvey DuChene on getting karst and cave issues represented in a new HS textbook.
Progress:
"Cave, Karst, and Groundwater" Yahoo Discussion Group Membership increasing (2 attempted spammers).
AGI HS Book Several NSS Education division members are invited to join the Advisory Group for the new HS Textbook.
Problems:
None at this time.
Anmar Mirza (Chairman)
Plans:
At this time I am contacting committee members and potential members. I would like the committee to be composed of 8-10 individuals who are well known, and importantly, well respected within the caving community. I hope to have people with expertise in various areas on the committee to ensure that when the committee publishes, recommends, or creates guidelines that these have the respect of the caving community at large. Too many times safety is fobbed off onto the local nerd of the grotto who likes having a title while the serious cavers ignore it. I am trying to avoid this. Timetable is 1-2 months to build the committee and get it working together.
The website will be revamped. Time 3-6 months and ongoing.
Publication of recommendations on techniques currently used in caving. 3-6 months and ongoing.
Publication of articles for the News from the committee, monthly if space allows.
Progress:
I have most of the committee members I would like to see agreed to join.
The first article for the News has been submitted and should appear in October.
Problems:
None to note.
Roberta K. Serface (Chairman)
Progress:
Budget for equipment needs worked out and given to the proper persons
(A.B. – I have this and will send it along when requested for budget discussion FY2004-05).
Announcement written and sent to Dave Bunnell for the NSS News asking for interested committee members.
Plans:
To get committee members and put our heads together to come up with ideas for educational videos as well as grants and other fund-raising ideas so that we will have some operating funds Have already received requests for educational videos by at least two divisions.
To get started on production of our first educational video by June 1, 2004 (or prior to that if we receive monies/equipment through other means).
Problems:
None.
Pat Bingham (Chairman)
Progress:
The members of the Committee are currently working on new
projects since the summer 2003 report:
Assisting in creating a caving display at the 2005 Boy Scouts of America Jamboree
The committee has been asked for assistance in creating a caving display. No details are known, but should be forwarded to the committee in September after the BSA display planning committee meets.
Creating a "What to Expect from Your Cave Guide" brochure
This new brochure will help youth group leaders determine if their cave guide is a safe and ethical caver.
Plans:
Coordinate with National Forest Service, National Parks Service, and the Bureau of Land Management to ensure that youth group leaders have access to pertinent information.
Promote the Committee as a source of information for use by other caving groups and NSS committees. It would be beneficial to work with other groups such as the National Cave Rescue Commission. American Cave Conservation Association Project Underground, the NSS Cave Preserve Committees, and Bat Conservation International.
Problems:
No problems except those explained in the summer report.
Amy M. Bern
This is the first advisory board meeting agenda as sent by Mike Smith over email. Barbara Moss has agreed to attend this first meeting since she is in the area.
TO: AGI High School Environmental Science Advisory Board
FROM: Mike Smith, AGI
AGI received funding from the National Science Foundation to develop instructional materials in high school environmental science. The focus of our efforts will be to create an innovative geoscience-based environmental science curriculum. We are very excited about this project and have begun our work. Our press release about the award is available at http://www.agiweb.org/news/spot_04jun03_EnviroTxtBkPR.htm
AGI would like to convene the advisory board for a daylong meeting at AGI headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. The purpose of this meeting is to obtain your feedback on the following key elements of project planning before we get deeply into writing the curriculum:
1. Detailed course outline
2. Unit performance assessments: extent to which they provide evidence of understanding course goals
3. Correlation to National Science Education Standards
4. Template Chapter, including example of how we will integrate Global GIS
5. Project Workplan
6. Draft Evaluation Plan
I have asked a number of educators and scientists to be a part of this committee. So far, the members are: Harvey DuChene, Barbara Moss, Geary Schindel, and Hazel Barton. I am still waiting to hear from Doug Medville, George Veni (has a given a resounding maybe), and Paul Burger. Other suggestions for members are welcome.
Report on the National Cave Resource Education Initiative
Mike Adams, Mammoth Cave National Park
Introduction:
The goal of this initiative was to recruit, train and equip 80
volunteers to conduct classroom cave resource presentations to
primarily elementary and middle school students across the
country. The primary partner was the National Speleological
Society, but the American Cave Conservation Association, and
Project Underground were also recruited as partners and made
significant contributions to the initiative. Mammoth Cave
National Park was the primary National Park Service unit
involved, but it was envisioned that other cave resource park
units would also assist.
The initiative was to be a two to three year effort with the first year spent in planning and preparation. The second year was to be spent in recruiting and training volunteers. Those volunteers would agree to conduct four classroom presentations through the end of the second year and during the next school year.
While the grant needed to be crafted with a specific ending date, the expectation and hope was that the momentum gained by the initiative would continue. We felt that volunteers would continue to share their passion and concern for cave resources for many years to come using the education resources provided by grant.
A Cooperative Agreement was signed with National Speleological Society for the transfer of funds and administration of the program’s finances. Peggy Kesner, NSS member of Boise Idaho, was subsequently assigned the task of administering the program account.
Planning and Preparation:
The planning phase began with a two day planning workshop held at
Mammoth Cave National Park in October of 2000. The participants
for this effort were to be representatives of the partner
organizations, NSS members who volunteered to lead teams in
various parts of the country, and National Park Service staff
from areas willing to commit time to the project.
The Goals of the planning workshop were to:
Establish the volunteer recruitment and training teams
Discuss agenda, timing, and locations of volunteer workshops
Review educational materials available
Define the contents of the Volunteer Teaching Kits
Participants were:
Mike Adams, Mammoth Cave
Sharon Ganci, Mammoth Cave
Cheryl Jones, NSS Administrative Vice President
Carol Zokaites, Project Underground
Julie Gee, American Cave Conservation Association
Amy Bern, NSS-Denver
Suzanne Flory, Timpanogos National Monument
Peg Sorensen, NSS-Albuquerque
Kris Baca, Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Janet Ambrose, Shiloh National Military Park (formerly of education coordinator of Carlsbad Caverns National Park)
Tommie Watkins, Cumberland Gap National Historic Park
Roger Brandt, Oregon Caves National Monument
We were unable to identify a NSS member who could participate as representative for the west coast.
The Volunteer Workshop Teams were:
Virginia Carol Zokaites and Tommie Watkins
Kentucky Mike Adams and Julie Gee
Denver Amy Bern and Suzanne Flory
Albuquerque Peg Sorensen and Kris Baca
West Coast Roger Brandt
During the Winter and Spring of 2000 and 2001 Mike Adams and Julie Gee with the assistance and input from the other team members developed and compiled materials for 100 Volunteer Teaching Kits.
The Kits included:
Activity Guides
Project Underground Curriculum
Mammoth Cave National Park teacher guides for K-5
Carlsbad Cavern’s ParkKids Bat Rap teacher guide and Video
USGS Exploring Caves Activity Guide and Posters
Reference Materials
American Cave Conservation Association flyers
Leave No Trace Cave Conservation & Ethics Video
Caves of the National Parks video
Leave No Trace Caving booklet
Living With Karst
Bats of the United States
Teaching Supplies
Play dough and clay
Containers of dilute hydrochloric acid
Cotton Balls and containers
Game Pieces for Project Underground
Bat Bandanas for blindfolds
Give-aways to class
BCI Bat Facts
Poster-Limestone Honeycomb
ACCA American Adventure
Amazing Caves IMAX brochure and schedule
National Cave Association Member List
NPS park folders for Mammoth Cave, Timpanogos, Jewel, and Carlsbad
Be Kind to Caves pencils
In addition to the individual teaching kits, each team was supplied with the Karst Groundwater Model produced by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. These models are to be shared by the volunteers in the different regions.
The Ground Water Models and Teaching Kits were shipped to volunteer workshop team leaders by September 1st 2001.
Volunteer Workshops:
Denver
Suzanne Flory had to resign from the project due to pregnancy and Mary Laycock of Wind Cave National Park joined Amy on the team. Sixteen volunteers were trained. Most were from throughout Colorado with one from South Dakota and one from Wyoming.
Albuquerque
Kris Baca of Carlsbad Caverns left the National Park Service and without a replacement Peg Sorensen proceeded with the Albuquerque workshop. She recruited twelve volunteers from New Mexico and one from Tucson, Arizona.
Kentucky
Mike and Julie ended up with twenty-four volunteers, eleven of which were from Kentucky, four from both Ohio and Indiana, two from Alabama and one each from Tennessee, Illinois and Virginia. Four volunteers agreed to share their teaching kits. At least six of the volunteers represented other organizations who were going to use the kits at their respective facilities: Lost River, Wyandotte, and Morengo Caves, the Cincinnati Museum Center, Daniel Boone National Forest, and the Indiana Karst Conservancy.
Virginia
Carol and Tommie had eleven volunteers participate in the volunteer workshop. With the concurrence of Mike Adams, Carol also distributed teaching kits to Project Underground workshop graduates. This put supplies and materials into the hands of people already conducting cave resource presentations.
Sequoia
April 2002
Without an identified NSS team member, Roger Brandt had
difficulty making contacts with the caving community on the west
coast. Mike Adams therefore contacted Cave Management Specialist
Joel Despain of Sequoia National Park to ask if he could assist
in recruiting volunteers. Sequoia National Park hosted the
workshop and Mike Adams joined Roger in putting the workshop on.
Twenty-four volunteers went through the workshop. Most were not
from the caving community but were teachers from the central
valley of California.
Results
A Total of eighty-nine volunteers were given a full day training workshop on how to conduct presentations in the classroom.
Reporting back from the volunteers on the presentations they have conducted has been spotty at best, but an estimate taken from teacher evaluation forms and the forms received 107 and presentations have been presented, representing over 400 hours of volunteer time. Estimates from these forms show that 8,558 young people have heard of the importance of cave and karst resources. Presentations have varied greatly from small groups of scouts, to average classrooms to, to presentations at all day earth day festivals contacting thousands of people.
A follow up request for information from all volunteers not reporting is needed and this will undoubtedly add a considerable number of presentations and contacts to the totals.
Budget
Originally we had $34,450 budgeted for the project. After the cost of travel of NPS employees to the planning workshop was deducted, the cooperative agreement transferred $32,524 to NSS.
Significant savings from the original budget were realized in items donated to the teaching kit and in travel support for workshops. Also we had $1,200 listed for covering the cost of workshop meeting rooms, which were not necessary. The last financial report shows a balance of $8,594.43 to be expended in support of this program.
Peg Sorensen of Carlsbad New Mexico reports that she has a few teaching kits available for distribution.
There are a few other expenses that can be anticipated. Give away pencils that arrived too late to be distributed with the teaching kits need to be mailed to individual volunteers. Shipping of the karst groundwater models may be needed to make them available to volunteers or to return them to the host NPS unit.
A discussion needs to take place as to best use of the remaining balance to continue the education efforts of NSS and the National Park Service.
Indiana Karst Conservancy Education and Outreach Committee Report
Kriste Lindberg
The 2003 NSS Convention: At the Project Underground board meeting, Sandy Trout and I were elected Directors. Welcome Anmar Mirza as our new Safety and Techniques Committee Chairman.
Our first week-long cave education program with WonderLab, "Caves, Critters, and Crystals" took place during the first week in June. We had eight participants from Bloomington. It consisted of activities from Project Underground and other related venues. Subjects included caves and caving, ecology, geology, and conservation. Activities included land use, safety and techniques, caving practice, and a caving trip to Leonard Springs Nature Park. The museum staff was particularly happy with how things turned out. I have the feeling we'll be doing one again next year and more with them in general… Thanks to George Cesnik for making an appearance to give a little demo on vertical caving during the last day of class.
Bloomington Parks and Recreation and Hoosier Heartland RC & D hosted a Project Underground workshop at BPR's Twin Lakes Lodge. We had eight participants from around the state, mostly from government agencies. There was a lot of focus on land use. Later, we also took a caving trip to Leonard Spring Nature Park. All were very happy with this arrangement, and we'll be doing more with them in the future, as well! Thanks to both Cathy Deal of the HH RC & D and Cathy Paradise of the Brown County SWCD for their help in arranging for this opportunity.
BPR hosted a Hoosier Riverwatch Level 1 and 2 training at the Twin Lakes Lodge. We had folks from all over the state. HR said it was one of the most successful classes they've ever held and that we're (BPR) doing one of the best jobs they have seen with the program. Thanks to Jan Hosier for teaching these two valuable classes.
We had one of our area Storm Water Environmental Education Team meetings at the Monroe County Courthouse. While there, we (BPR) discussed joining forces with Monroe County Parks and Recreation so we can monitor all of the streams in Monroe County, not just in the city limits! Two of the Monroe County Commissioners attended. They would like more info on karst so they can share it with others that need it at meetings and other venues. I will be bringing them some IKC brochures, sinkhole flyers, NSS hand outs, business cards, etc.
Our BPR sites are becoming valuable teaching resources for karst and related conservation and education.
Dr. Julian "Jerry" Lewis and company is working on a biota study at Leonard Springs Nature Park. They have made many interesting findings. I've been helping out here and there along the way… We've even discussed the possibility of tailoring Hoosier Riverwatch methods to include springs. Both Jerry and HR are in favor of this idea. BPR is supportive as well.
Morgan Peters-Darley and a friend have been moving right along with their monitoring of Leonard Springs at Leonard Springs Nature Park with HR methods. She is using the Hach Kit. Eventually, she will be tying her findings in with the way the wetland plants filter water, amphibians, etc.
Steve Cotter and I attended a meeting of various agencies interested in developing a plan to control invasive aquatic species. A plan is being developed, the Indiana Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan. The next meeting is September 16.
"Workshop on Indiana's Limestone Geology for Teachers" helped with learning more about the geology of the area was offered by the Indiana Geological Survey during the beginning of July. As far as cavers are concerned, those who attended were Bud Dillon of Bloomington, Steve Harriss of the Hoosier National Forest, and myself. It taught us more about limestone in general - its history, properties, uses, etc. I included other cave education sources such as Project Underground. There also was a fieldtrip to check out various road cuts, quarries, BPR's Cascades Park, the Monroe Reservoir dam, and Spring Mill State Park. While at SMSP, we ran into Jeff Cummings, the Naturalist there. He and I discussed the possibility of co-hosting the 2004 Environmental Education Association of Indiana Conference there.
I've been helping the Bloomington Environmental Commission with land use issues pertaining to karst. Thanks to Joey Fagan, Karst Protection Specialist with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation's Division of Natural Heritage for pointers. Due to some good networking starting at the EPA conference and at the NSS Convention, our area is benefiting due to advances they have made.
Mark Deebel of the SJVG and I worked with The Nature Conservancy in mid-August to do a follow up to an article that came out in the Indianapolis Star on the Lost River System. We worked with WRTV-Channel 6 out of Indy to do a television news spot. Others were invited to join, such as representatives from Congressman Baron Hill's office. We now have more allies on that front in Washington. We'll keep you posted on when this piece airs.
Congratulations to Frank Hodges of the IDNR for his recent promotion to Agricultural Conservation Specialist.
Here are a few things to look forward to hearing more about:
- Collaboration with the Indiana Cave Survey to do a presentation, "Creative Partnerships for Protection of Karst Areas", for a group of surveyors in the Columbus area.
- Storm Drain Marking Program project at Prospect Hills and The Woodlands in Bloomington. Note: I took our board out to Leonard Springs Nature Park to go caving. They had a great time. It was interesting to compare nature's underground drainage (caves) to our man-made underground drainage (storm sewers)!
- National Cave and Karst Management Symposium, Oct 12-18. I will be presenting, "Creative Partnerships for Water Quality Protection in Karst Areas".
- US F&W collaboration with their Ohio River Ecosystem Team and related partners along the river and nearby area. I'll be doing a karst field trip for them as well as a presentation. Other area partners plan to join.
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)
John Green (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)
Berta Kirchman (Financial Officer)
James Hall (Archives Officer)
Barb Ritts (Education Board Member)
Monty Strange (Education Board Member)
Bruce Smith (Education Board Member/Curriculum Coordinator)
Susan Thrasher (Assistant to the National Coordinator)
Marc Tiritilli (Education Board Member)
Kathy Welling (Recording Secretary)
Progress:
The NCRC Board of Regional Coordinators met during Convention.
Minutes and reports are available on the NCRC web site at
ncrc.info. Results of elections at that meeting are represented
in the personnel list above.
Instructor lists with certification dates are now available on the NCRC web site.
Plans:
The 2004 NCRC National Cave Rescue Seminar is being planned for
Indiana June 19-26, 2004. It will be hosted by the NCRC Central
Region.
The NCRC 2005 National Cave Rescue Seminar is being planned for Alabama. Dates have not been identified, and will depend upon timing of the 2005 NSS Convention.
The next NCRC Board of Regional Coordinators (BORC) Winter Meeting is scheduled for February 7, 2004, at the Walker County (Georgia) 911 Center. Two NCRC Education Board terms will be considered for reappointment or replacement at that meeting. A call for nominations has been posted on the NCRC Web site.
The NCRC Education Board will meet on the Friday, February 6, 2004, at the Walker County 911 Center.
Problems:
The NCRC still lacks an insurance policy.
Fall 2003 Report
Carol Tiderman
Carol Tiderman, Chairman
Progress:
Hosted Convention Planning and Development Meetings at the 2003
Convention. Attended 2004 planning meeting. Performed a site
visit at the potential 2005 site. My findings were reported to
the board at the Convention 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:
Work with Bail Out committee to pull together a bid for 2005.
2005 will present their bid at the October Board meeting.
Continue working with confirmed and potential host groups. Talked to several potential Convention hosts at Convention. Continue to solicit new convention bids
Problems:
If the 2005 bid is not approved this year, I have no other
volunteers.
Peri Frantz and Lynn Fielding, Chairmen
No report at this time.
Jean Devries
To be reported at the Board Meeting
Rick & Faye Bowersox Co-Chairmen
LavaBeds@lvcm.com
No report at this time.
Paul & Lee Stevens
The Salon Crew has been discussing process improvements and working on the next years salon. The salon will be shorter next year.
Paul and Lee
Chairman: William (Bill) Jackson
Vice-Chairman: Don Shofstall
Chairmen NSS I/O Committee: Evelyn Bradshaw, Keith Wheeland
Minutes from the meeting were presented to the Board at the Friday meeting.
10/8/03