Donald R. Russell Nature Preserve
KEY STATS
Adair County, Oklahoma
1991
~3+ miles (across several caves)
In mid-1991, Don Russell donated two tracts of land in Adair County, Oklahoma, to the NSS to create a 20-acre biological preserve. There are several cave remnants and two major caves on the property. One of the main caves, Linda Bear Paw Cave, is used by a large colony of endangered gray bats (Myotis grisescens) and one of the cave remnants is a hibernaculum for a colony of Ozark big-eared bats (Corynorhinus townsendii ingens). Pleistocene vertebrates have also been found in caves on the Preserve.
Because this property was acquired with the purpose of establishing a biological preserve, visitation is extremely limited. This is an extension of the longstanding policy of the previous owner.
Want to Visit?
The Donald R. Russell Nature Preserve is not open to visitor access except by special request for research or scientific purposes. All visitors must contact PreservesScience@caves.org for research activity approval prior to requesting a permit.
In keeping with the goal of establishing a biological preserve, there will be no general access to the caves on this property. A limited number of scientific research projects may be undertaken. Requests for research projects must be made in writing to the NSS Preserves Science Subcommittee (PreserveScience@caves.org) and the Preserve Management Team (RussellPreserve@caves.org) prior to requesting a permit.
Requests for further information can be sent to the Preserve Management Team via email at: RussellPreserve@caves.org with any questions.
