NSS Conservation Grant Awarded

An NSS Conservation Grant of $1,000 has been awarded  to Central Oregon Conservation Task Force to support professional studies and recommendations regarding the preservation of prehistoric rock art in Hidden Forest Cave, a lava tube and paleohistoric site in Oregon which has been much damaged by rock climbers.

Background. Rare pictographs occur in Hidden Forest Cave [different link than above], Deschutes National Forest, Oregon. Rock climbers have been using the cave for "up and over" climbing exercises over the past decade. Their activity and the chalk used to improve hand friction have extensively marred the cave and its art works. With the assistance of this NSS Conservation Grant and contributions of time and effort by Dean & Associates Conservation Services, the Central Oregon Conservation Task Force will be able to engage a professional study of the condition of the art and sound recommendations for its restoration, preservation and conservation. The resulting published report is expected to provide information and recommendations which should prove useful in other, comparable cave restoration and preservation projects.

I take great pleasure in announcing that the National Speleological Society wishes to be both a sponsor of and a contributor toward your research studies supporting the preservation of rock art in Hidden Forest Cave. A Conservation Grant award check in the amount of $1,000.00 will arrive shortly, by separate mailing from the National Speleological Society's home office.

The research being sponsored by the Central Oregon Conservation Task Force promises to be interesting and useful. The results should provide valuable information and recommendations for managing and preserving rock art in caves. I am looking forward to the outcome of the study.

Please send 2 copies of the completed report to the NSS Library, 2813 Cave Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35810-4431.