This newsletter is produced as a forum for information and idea exchanges between National Park Service units that contain caves and karst landscapes. It also provides a historical overview and keeps partners and other interested folks aware of cave and karst management activities.
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Article 1: A Word from WASO
Recent activities from the national level GRD Cave and Karst Program Coordinator. Read more
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Article 2: Dale Pate Receives Special Honor from the National Speleological Society
On June 20, 2017, Dale Pate was awarded the honor of being a Luminary Speaker at the annual NSS Convention in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Read more
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Buffalo National River
Article 3: Cave Research Foundation Volunteers Continue to Document Cave and Karst Features
A review of activities for winter, spring, and summer 2017 by CRF volunteers included documentation of numerous caves/karst features, a couple of river trips, and survey trips in Fitton Cave. Read more
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Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Article 4: Cave Volunteer Activities and Welcome to Erin Lynch
Activity summaries from Lechuguilla Cave, Carlsbad Cavern, Slaughter Canyon Cave highlight this update from Carlsbad Caverns National Park including restoration and research trips. A new Physical Science Technician, Erin Lynch, begins work in the Cave Resources Office. Read more
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Great Basin National Park
Article 5: Cave Management Plans, Summer Bat Crew, & Biomonitoring
Development of the Lehman Caves Management Plan and Wild Caves and Karst Management Plan are nearing completion. Bat surveys, quarterly biomonitoring in Lehman Caves along with a cave climate change study were a focus of cave activity for 2017. Read more
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Lava Beds National Monument
Article 6: Installation of a Bio-Cleaning Station & Planetary Exploration Experiments in Park Lava Tubes
In an effort to prevent the spread of White-Nose Syndrome in hibernating bats into the Monument, staff have developed a walk-across station to mitigate the risk of human WNS transmission. Monument lava tubes have also been recently used by researchers as an analog for the study of off-world lava fields and tubes. Read more
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Ozark National Scenic Riverways
Article 7: Bat Decline from White-Nose Syndrome, New Faunal Records, Flood Damage
Bat surveys this past winter showed declines in three bat species from White-Nose Syndrome while two endangered bats showed stable numbers. New faunal records were added as well as a biological survey of several caves were completed. Flooding in April damaged numerous buildings. Read more
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Timpanogos Cave National Monument
Article 8: Cave Research Activities and Documented Vandalism
Core samples were taken from two stalagmites and some flowstone in the Timpanogos Cave System to determine stable isotope geochemistry in an effect to assess whether Lake Bonneville produced lake-effect snow on the glaciers found within the Wasatch Range. Additionally, an attempted break-in damaged one of the entrance doors to the cave. Read more
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Wind Cave National Park
Article 9: New “Flameless” Candles for Candlelight Tour
Since the 1970s, a Candlelight tour offered twice a day during summer months have dripped hard-to-remove wax all along the tour route. A “flameless” candle with rechargeable battery has replaced the wax candle with little difference in created light along the tour. Read more
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Article 10: Notes from NPS Management Meeting at NSS Convention
Eleven parks provided written notes for a meeting of NPS cave specialist at the NSS Convention held in Albuquerque, New Mexico during June 2017. Read more