OFFICERS President: Al Mathis DeSoto Caverns, AL Ph: 256-872-6240 [email protected]

Vice President: Joe Klimczak Cave of the Mounds, WI

Ph: 608-437-3038 [email protected] Robert A. Holt PO Box 625, Cobleskill, NY 12043 Executive Director Phone: 518-231-5420 Secretary Treasurer: Bob Holt Email: [email protected] Website: cavern.com National Caves Association Ph: 518-231-5420 [email protected]

Past President: John Graves Luray Caverns, VA NCA Core Values Ph: 540-743-6551 [email protected] Stewardship

REGIONAL DIRECTORS Education Region One: (CT, DE, NH, NY, PA, RI, VT) Entertain Greg Beckler –Natural Stone Bridge & Caves, NY [email protected] Ph: 518-494-2283 Cooperation

Region Two: (MD, VA, WV, KY) Eric Helton – Diamond Caverns, KY [email protected] Ph: 270-749-2233 May 2021

Region Three: (IL, IN, MI, OH) Claudia Yundt - Squire Boone Caverns, IN [email protected] Ph: 812-732-4382 Major Announcement from the

Region Four: (AR, IA, KS, MO, NE) Dennis Boyer - War Eagle Cavern, AR President on Convention 2021 [email protected] Ph: 479-789-2909 WE ARE GOING TO LAKE OF THE OZARKS, MISSOURI

Region Five: (MN, MT, ND, SD, WI) NCA Convention is coming up - but due Tom Hagen - Rushmore Cave, SD [email protected] Ph: 605-255-4467 to Covid-19 we had to make a few changes. We will no longer be going to Region Six: (CA, ID, NV, OR, WA, AK, HI, Lake Shasta Caverns in Redding, CA, Barbados, Bermuda) Matt Doyle – Lake Shasta Caverns, CA but now Steve Thompson at Bridal [email protected] Cave will be hosting the 2021 NCA Ph: 800-795-2283 Convention in October. It turned out

Region Seven: (AZ, CO, NM, UT, WY) that the state of Missouri is a lot more Kathy Miller – Glenwood Caverns, CO open for business at this point than [email protected] Ph: 970-945-4228 California. So put it on your calendar to be at the Old Kinderhook Resort Golf, Region Eight: (LA, OK, TX) Ed Mayfield – Caverns of Sonora, TX Club and Spa from Sunday October 10 [email protected] Ph: 325-387-3105 (Board Meeting), Monday, October 11th (Opening Reception) to Thursday, Region Nine: (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN) Al Mathis (Interim) – DeSoto Caverns, AL October 14th (Closing Banquet). See Ph: 256-872-6240 [email protected] Bob’s article on the next page!

DIRECTOR AT LARGE My hat goes off to Steve and Lindsey at Bridal Cave who are looking forward Denise Bell – Seneca Caverns, OH to hosting us and have been planning a great conference for us. We hope to [email protected] Ph: 419-483-6711 have a lot more information as well as the registration info in your hands by the Steve Rawlings – Mercer Caverns, CA middle of May, as usual. Also, a special thanks to Bob and Susan who have [email protected] Ph: 209-728-2101 been very busy lately with all the details involved in changing convention sites.

DIRECTOR EMERITUS It is going to be so good to see everyone again in person in Missouri for our Steve Runkle - Cave of the Winds, CO [email protected] Ph: 719-685-5444 family reunion!!!

Al Mathis

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New Location for Convention 2021 Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri

As President Mathis mentioned, we will be going to Missouri for our in person “Convention 2021” this fall. I can’t thank Susan Berdeaux enough for flying out to meet with Steve Thompson and Lindsey Webster-Dillon on such short notice. They did a yeoman’s job with site visits and planning a new agenda. We thought everything was in place for California; however, this reminds us it’s never good to be complacent. The team promises we will have a great time as always with a few surprises to boot! -Bob WATCH FOR REGISTRATION KICK-OFF COMING BY EMAIL IN MID-MAY

The Kinderhook Story Back in the nineteenth century, it was a cattle ranch owned by a transplanted Kansas City Jewish businessman turned rancher who married his housekeeper, an Irish Catholic immigrant. Rather than drive her (by horse and buggy) across creeks and rivers to Mass every Sunday he built her a chapel on the ranch and the priest came to them. Thus every Sunday after services in Linn Creek (the county seat) the priest would ride to the ranch and say an additional Mass for all of the parishioners who lived west of the Niangua River. After each mass, a luncheon was offered by the host for all of the attendees and the atmosphere changed from church to picnic, games, and fishing in the river.

Little did these people know nor could they possibly imagine that two centuries later the ranch would transform to a golf course and their beloved church belfry would adorn the 14th fairway. What they could be certain of was the fact that nature had carved out a beautiful valley and no matter what its use its underlying magnificence would remain. In the late 1990s Tom Weiskopf saw the valley and its potential and with a minimum of earth moving created eighteen of the most invitingly beautiful holes of golf you will find anywhere.

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Searching for a name for this signature golf course they reached back in history for Kinderhook the original name of Camden County. Thus in 1999 Old Kinderhook was born and once again people flocked to this valley for friendship, sport, and food. The cycle was complete. -Courtesy of Jack Madigan

Amenities What's the cure for a fall delight? A day of treating yourself at Spa 54! Indulge in all of your favorite spa treatments, from massages, facials, nail and hair treatments, and more!

Here at The Trophy Room, we have a wide variety of menu items for your family to enjoy. Find our menu on our website.

To be among the best, a golf course must combine the natural features of the land with a design that challenges golfers of all skill levels. Old Kinderhook has it all. View our hole by hole guide here:

So check out the Old Kinderhook located at 678 Old Kinderhook Dr., Camdenton, MO 65020 or their website : https://oldkinderhook.com.

We will see you this fall in Missouri from Sunday October 10 (Board Meeting), Monday, October 11th (Opening Reception) to Thursday, October 14th (Closing Banquet).

More so than ever, we need you at our family reunion!

Bob

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The International Year of Caves and Karst: Extended to 2022!

The International Year of Caves and Karst (IYCK) was created to teach people around the world about caves and karst. Organized by the International Union of Speleology (UIS), we now have 183 national and international organizations partnering with us. Together we have 110 upcoming events announced around the world and 79 other events are already complete, most of which you can watch or read about at http://iyck2021.org/index.php/event-results/.

The biggest single event for the International Year is the International Congress of Speleology (https://uis2021.speleos.fr/) which has been posted to July 2022 because of the pandemic. As a result, the UIS Bureau has decided to extend the International Year through 2022. We have contacted our partners directly so they can plan events through next year. We suggest 2021 as the virtual International Year, and as conditions improve with the pandemic we hope 2022 will be the in- person International Year when we can plan and celebrate events when we are truly together.

We encourage all of you as individuals and organizations to join us in reaching out to the world about the importance of caves and karst. Remember, the International Year website (www.iyck2021.org) has a Download page with the logo, posters, a video, and other resources you are free to use. The most important at the two Planning Guides, one for virtual events and one for when we can gather physically. They will give you many ideas of things you can do to support the International Year of Caves and Karst. Remember, no event is too small. It is all important. And please post all your events and their results on the International Year website to the address near the top of the Events pages.

Join us! And visit the UIS Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/uisspeleo), UIS Twitter account (https://twitter.com/uisspeleo), and/or the UIS Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/uisspeleo/).

George Veni President, International Union of Speleology Executive Director, National Cave and Karst Research Institute

Explore Caves, Critters, and Rocks During May 8 Virtual Program

The free program is being held in support of the International Year of Caves and Karst and is being offered to the entire NCA membership by John Graves of Luray Caverns. Thank you John!

RICHMOND—Caves and karst landscapes are found all over the world, yet most people are still in the dark about the great value of these systems and why they must be protected.

For this reason, cave and karst enthusiasts, biologists, hydrologists, geologists, and educators worldwide have selected 2021 as the International Year of Caves and Karst. Across the globe, educational programs are being offered to increase the public’s understanding of caves and karst.

The Virginia Cave Board and the Virginia Region of the National Speleological Society (NSS) will join this effort with a day-long virtual program on Saturday, May 8, titled, “The Secrets of Caves, Critters, and Rocks.”

The program is free and open to all, although registration is requested.

Presentations will begin at 9 a.m. ET and include cave video tours, a history of Grand Caverns, and lessons on geology, hydrology, and bats and other cave life.

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Some material will align with Virginia Science Standards of Learning and will be geared toward both formal and non-formal educators.

More information is available at https://www.vacaveweek.com/iyck.

The coronavirus pandemic halted many cave-related outreach activities in the past year. People were advised not to enter caves due to the potential to pass the virus to others and to cave-dwelling bats.

“After a year of darkness due to COVID-19, 2021 is the International Year of Caves and Karst, and we look forward to shedding light again on these biologically rich and sensitive landscapes through a wonderful virtual program,” Virginia Cave Board and NSS member Meredith Hall Weberg said.

Caves and karst landscapes are prevalent in Virginia. There are more than 4,000 documented caves, and they provide habitat for rare and threatened species such as the Virginia big-eared bat (Virginia’s state bat) and the Madison Cave isopod.

Karst topography covers much of the western third of the state. Karst was created over thousands of years by the dissolving of bedrock such as limestone, dolomite, or marble by mildly acidic waters. The topography is characterized by sinkholes, sinking streams, springs, and caves.

Karst landscapes occur in 29 counties in Virginia. Thousands of Virginians west of the Blue Ridge Mountains rely on karst aquifers for their drinking water.

For more information about “The Secrets of Caves, Critters, and Rocks,” go to https://vacaveweek.com/iyck. The event will be held via Zoom.

For more information about the International Year of Caves and Karst, go to http://iyck2021.org/.

Who Doesn’t Believe in the Easter Bunny?

This cute bunny was seen in the north country of New York State! She appears to be quite familiar… She looks a lot like the sweet lady at Natural Stone Bridge and Caves Park… Yes, Dee Beckler!

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A Brief Introduction to Cave Paleontology

Thank you to the NCA Education Committee for supplying us with some great topics in the coming months. The National Park Service’s monthly topic for the International Year of Caves and Karst for May is Cave Paleontology; thank you Patty Perlaky of Inner Space Cavern for this month’s topic.

Paleontology in caves is present in two aspects: fossils that are found preserved in the bedrock from which caves formed or the fossil remains of animals and plants, usually of Pleistocene or Holocene age, which lived in caves, fell into sinkhole entrances and died, or were carried into caves after their death.

The predominantly limestone bedrock of most American caves formed during different periods, ranging from the Ordovician through Cretaceous Periods, depending on the area of the country that was covered by shallow seas.

A few common Mississippian fossils are:

Crinoids (also known as sea lilies) – Before National Geographic found living crinoids in the 1980s, scientists were divided on whether crinoids were plants or animals. When divers found living specimens, they were called sea lilies because they looked like flowers. Further study revealed they were animals – the ‘stem’ was a tube surrounded by a hard shell. This tube acted as the digestive system. The ‘flower’ consisted of tentacles that caught the animal’s food.

Archimedes is an extinct bryozoan (an index fossil that only lived during the Mississippian Period). There was a central support column with mesh like fronds that spiraled around the column. It is names after Archimedes’ irrigation system, which looked like a screw.

Brachiopods are marine animals with two shells. Although the top and bottom shells are different sizes, the left and right sides of each shell are mirror images. Most live attached to the sea floor. They first appeared during the Cambrian Period, became abundant in the Ordovician and remained abundant through the end of the Permian. Today they are not Life in the Mississippian seas included crinoids and common, mostly found in the Antarctic. Archimedes (bryozoans) Gastropods have a single shell that is typically coiled, which is carried on the animal's back. As the animal grows, it also grows the shell bigger. The ones that live in the water breathe through gills, those on land have simple lungs. They first appear in the fossil record during the Cambrian.

Paleogeography of North America during the Paleogeography of U.S. during Cretaceous Period the Mississpian Period

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Cephalopods are represented today by octopus, squid, nautiloids and cuttlefish. They are the most advanced animals without backbones. Some had coiled shells (ammonites which first appeared in the Devonian) and some had straight shells (such as orthoceras, appearing in the Ordovician and varying in size from under a centimeter to over 14 ft. long.

Some common Cretaceous fossils are:

Sea urchins first starting appearing during the Ordovician and are common in the Cretaceous rocks of the southern states.

Rudist bivalves lived in shallow seas from the Late Jurassic to Late Sea life during the Cretaceous Period Cretaceous. They had two shells - one like a hollow tube and the other like a lid. They were major reef builders that became extinct at the end of the Cretaceous.

Corals live in warm, shallow seas and can be found throughout the fossil record. Some are colonial and could build reefs hundreds of miles long, while others are solitary.

Sponges first appeared in Cambrian rocks. They are mainly marine animals with a hard skeleton of calcium carbonate or silica. They lived attached to the sea floor.

Mosasaurs were warm blooded marine lizards that flourished during the Mesozoic. Some ate shellfish while others hunted large prey. They could grow to the size of whales. The became extinct at the end of the Cretaceous.

The second aspect of paleontology is the plant and animal material left in the cave after the cave formed. Preservation is best in dry passages that are above flood levels.

Animals use caves as shelter, some of which die there, others being brought in by carnivores or carried in by water. Sinkholes are ideal traps for animals – they fall in and can’t get out, then over time the sinkhole can be closed completely.

Examples of animal fossils found in caves:

A giant ground sloth found in a West Virginia cave actually was the beginning of cave paleontology in America with its discovery in 1797. The bones were sent to Thomas Jefferson (he had made the first map of an American Cave) years before. Although he incorrectly identified the bones, its scientific name is Megalonyx jeffersonii in his honor. The sloth was about 9 ft. long and has been found as far south as Florida.

The giant short faced bear was the largest Pleistocene terrestrial carnivore in North America, weighing over 2,000 lbs and could be 5.5 feet tall at the shoulders when on all four legs. It has been found in eight Ozark caves; in addition, remains have been found from Alaska to Mexico. They may have used caves as dens.

Although not a cave, the Gray Fossil Site in Tennessee is believed to have been a karst depression in Oligocene carbonates. Remains include turtles, crocodiles, rhinoceros, and bear.

Vampire bat fossils have been found in sediment Mammoth Cave, dated at about 2.6 million years BP.

The cave bear may have dwelled in Europe 400,000 years ago and subsequently Shasta Ground Sloth reproduction at Kartchner Caverns State Park spread throughout Europe and the Near East. While it probably lived in the woods and plains during cold periods, it lived in the mountainous areas during temperate times. Scarring from flint blades on cave bear bones show it was hunted by Neanderthals and Homo sapiens. Other predators included cave lions and Ice Age spotted hyenas. The cave bear used caves not only for hibernation, but also for nursing and weaning cubs. They dug depressions in the cave floor where they hibernated (often far from cave entrances). In one cave in Transylvania, more than 140 of these depressions have been found. They were vegetarians, also a few specimens could have been omnivorous. DNA studies have shown it is more closely related to the brown bear than the black bear.

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The cave lion or Steppe Lion was originally believed to have used caves as shelter or to raise cubs, but it has now been suggested that their remains were carried onto caves by other predators or scavengers. They could also have gone into caves to prey on bears during hibernation. From cave paintings in France we know that males lacked manes or had very small manes and it had thick fur. It went extinct in Eurasia at the end of the Pleistocene and 1000 year

Cave bear skeleton on display at Geoworld Gallery, Tucson

Remains of the cave hyena, or Ice Age Spotted Hyena, have been found from Europe to Siberia. A cave painting from Chauvet Cave in France Siberian cave lion skull on display at Geoworld Gallery in Tucson shows this hyena had the same spotted pattern as today's spotted hyena. They hunted in packs, scavenging cave bear and steppe lion carcasses, but could also attack hibernating bears. They made dens near cave entrances. It is possible that cave bears used the same caves as hyenas, but in different seasons.

Glyptodonts were relatives of today’s armadillo. The body was made up of fued scales and was 4-5 feet tall. The were herbivores.

Equus was similar to the modern horse, but was about the size of a pony. The genus originated in North America, migrated to Asia and Europe, then became extinct in North America.

Peccaries are the ancestor of the modern javelin.

Columbian Mammoths were the larger relative of the Wooly Mammoth. It stood up to 14 ft tall at the shoulder and the longest tusks found were 16 ft. They were vegetarians and could weigh up to 10 tons.

The only known footprints of sauropods have been found on the ceiling of Castelboouc Cave in France. The tracks are each over three feet long and have five toes. These tracks were left by three sauropods walking along a shoreline made of clay about 168 million years ago. The clay has eroded away, leaving reverse prints in the ceiling.

This is only a small list of fossils that have been found in caves. They give us great insight not only on past life, but the environments in which they lived. Paleontological studies of caves continues to be an important contributor to our knowledge of the earth’s history.

Bibliography: Illinois State Geological Survey eartharchives.org fossils-facts-and-finds.com Park Paleontology News Vol. 10, No. 2 Fall 2018 Paleontology of Caves and Karst in North America: a Brief Introduction by Margaret V. Palmer and Arthur N. Palmer Cave Paleontology, East Tennessee State University Deep Caves are a Rich Source of Dinosaur Prints for this Paleontologist by John Pickrell, ScienceNews, April 27, 2020 Ice Age Mammals by Stefano Piccini

Special Thanks to: Stefano Piccini and the staff at Geoworld Gallery (Mineral and Fossil Coop, Tucson, Arizona) for allowing the use of pictures from their gallery

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Glenwood Caverns Celebrates125th Anniversary of First Cave Tour on Earth Day

“Colorado Experience: Fairy Caves” explores the magical Fairy Caves – once dubbed “The 8th Wonder of the World.” Hidden inside Glenwood Springs’ Iron Mountain, this living cave network inspires awe. But the caverns were nearly lost to time and were closed for more than 80 years – until an engineer who also happened to be a caver had a vision of how to return the magic to this fantastical place. Viewers are invited to watch and participate via YouTube or Facebook on Thursday, April 22, 2021, at 7 p.m.

WATCH HERE: https://video.rmpbs.org/video/colorado-experience-the-fairy-caves-9ejxts/

The Historic Fairy Caves, an attraction within Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, was a thriving tourist destination in the 1890s thanks to Charles W. Darrow, a pioneering Glenwood Springs attorney. Darrow and his family homesteaded the top of Iron Mountain, including the cave entrance. At that time, the known extent of the cave was about 800 feet, and visitors could get to the caves by walking up a trail, riding a horse or burro or in style in a horse-drawn carriage. To say that a lot has changed is quite an understatement.

Today, visitors travel to the top of the mountain in the new high-capacity Glenwood Gondola that offers panoramic views of the mountains and river valleys. In addition to touring the cave, which now has more than 16,000 known feet, they can enjoy thrill rides and family attractions, dine, shop and experience outdoor, mountain-top gatherings including Octoberfest, Winter on the Mountain and, hopefully soon, the return of live music.

Steve and Jeanne Beckley, current owners of Glenwood Caverns and the Historic Fairy Caves and Adventure Park, are celebrating the 125th anniversary of the first cave tour in a very 21st century, COVID-friendly style, and on Earth Day to boot. On Thursday, April 22, they’ll host a virtual discussion and streaming of Rocky Mountain PBS “Colorado Experience” Viewers’ Choice Episode about the Fairy Caves. Viewers can tune in at 7 p.m. Mountain Time at YouTube.com/GlenwoodCaverns or Facebook.com/GlenwoodCaverns, where they can ask questions to be answered in the live discussion after the show concludes.

“We had worked with Rocky Mountain PBS to hold an in-person premiere of the episode last spring, but it was postponed twice and eventually cancelled when the pandemic hit. It was disappointing after all of the work our teams did to produce the episode to not be able to share it publicly with our community. Watching it air on Rocky Mountain PBS in our homes was nice, though,” Steve Beckley, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park co-owner said. “This year, we’ve decided to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the first tour of the Fairy Caves with an online watch party. Jeanne and I will be live to give some background and answer questions.”

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“Colorado Experience: Fairy Caves” explores the magical Fairy Caves – once dubbed “The 8th Wonder of the World.” Hidden inside Glenwood Springs’ Iron Mountain, this living cave network inspires awe. But the caverns were nearly lost to time and were closed for more than 80 years – until an engineer who also happened to be a caver had a vision of how to return the magic to this fantastical place.

Beckley added, “In addition to the holding the celebration on Earth Day, this year is also the International Year of Caves and Karst. Protecting and preserving this incredible natural resource has always been our top priority, so tying these occasions together makes it even more special to us.”

Filming of the Fairy Caves episode primarily took place May 2019. The Beckleys are featured in the show along with general manager Nancy Heard, natural attractions manager Kathy Miller, executive director of the Glenwood Springs Historical Society Bill Knight, and cave historian and author of “Colorado Caves” Richard Rhinehart.

Mandy Gauldin Peak Communications

NSS Awards Tom and April Hagen Rushmore Cave

Rushmore Cave is a proud business member of the National Speleological Society. Since its start in 1941, the National Speleological Society (NSS) has been a group in which cavers all over the nation can get together and do what they love most. Not all cavers are interested in the same thing. On one end of the spectrum you have project cavers that dedicate their personal time and resources to protect, preserve, and explore caves. On the other end you have arm chair cavers who will talk to you for hours about caves even though they no longer go into caves. In the middle you have people who enjoy cave photography, cave survey, cave digging, cave rescue, or simply recreational caving. No matter where you are on the spectrum, the NSS has members that are just as interested in the same aspect of caving as you. For more information about the NSS visit their website at caves.org.

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Thank you to the Dunlavy Family

A Gift from Marion Dunlavy

As we continue to mourn the loss of one of our beloved member, Marion Dunlavy of Lincoln Caverns; it is quite apparent how much Marion loved the NCA and all of us. It should also be mentioned how much we loved Marion and she will forever be missed.

Marion requested that the NCA be remembered after she left her earthly home. We received a letter from her son Bruce, Executor of Marion’s estate and Bruce said “Please find the enclosed check for $1000. It was my mother’s wish to make this donation after her passing.”

Bruce also included this gift of a poem:

“Life” is a gift to you

The way you live your life

Is your gift to those who come after.

Make it a fantastic one!

Live it well

Enjoy today

Do something fun!

Be happy!

Have a great day!

By Marion Dunlavy

Thank you Marion – We love you – and you are forever in our hearts. May God bless you!

Meramec Caverns on NBC Show

“New Amsterdam”

Did you see it? It was a repeat which aired on April 27 at 10PM Eastern on NBC. If you are not familiar with the series, it’s a hospital setting named New Amsterdam taking place in New York City.

The recent episode mentions traveling Route 66 and one of the first stops is Meramec Caverns. Later in the show Meramec is mentioned once again.

Free Advertising for the Turilli Family! Watch: New Amsterdam – April 27 2021 – 4/27/2021 – Tuesday – NBC

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Mark Twain Cave New Owners Celebrate 1st Year

1 year ago on April 1, 2020 Dad and I spent our first day on the property as the New owners of the Mark Twain Cave Complex. Was definitely a scary start taking over right after having declared a national pandemic with so many uncertainties and the business being shut down. Not to mention we didn’t have a clue about giving Cave Tours, running a winery or a campground. Month and a half later we were able to open back up on a limited basis and began learning the ropes. Needless to say we made it through the Pandemic and our first year of business! We’ve learned so much this past year, worked an insane amount of hours, but most importantly we loved every minute of it! Couldn’t have done it without the awesome staff and everyone thats helped out along the way. To say we feel blessed would be an understatement. Now let’s make year 2 even better!

Austin Curry Mark Twain Cave

Mammoth Cave Seeks Comment on Proposed Trail Upgrade

Mammoth Cave National Park is seeking public comment on a proposal to upgrade a popular cave route that features unique dripstone formations.

Plans call for using concrete for the entire trail surface along the Frozen Niagara Tour route, park spokeswoman Molly Schroer told the Bowling Green Daily News. The trail currently consists of a variety of materials including concrete, aggregate, dirt and recycled lumber, Schroer said. The project would also add an 18-inch high curb along the trail, upgrade steps and replace handrails.

The aim is to create a safer walking surface that adds protection to cave resources and requires less maintenance, Schroer said. Park officials plan to inventory potential historic and archaeological resources and analyze how the project could impact them, she said. The public is invited to provide comments about the project through May 26.

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Mark and Aaron Bishop Tell Niagara Cave’s Story on TV Discovered in the 1930's, the Niagara Cave attracts over 30,000 visitors each year. From above the surface, it might just look like flyover country, but it's what lies beneath the surface that has thousands flocking to this small town in Southeast Minnesota. This adventure begins with a descent down 275 steps, deep into what Owner Mark Bishop describes as another dimension. "It's just an otherworldly experience," said Bishop. "It's a very easy way to get underground and see what mother nature has created ." From traditional cave columns of calcium deposits, known as stalagmites and stalactites, to one of Minnesota's tallest water falls, the Niagara Cave awes new visitors and geologists alike. "I've been down there thousands of times but there's still times where we come across something that we haven't seen before," said Bishop. Even 200 feet below the surface, the cave stays a regulated 48 degrees year-round said Manager of Niagara Cave Aaron Bishop. "Here in Southeastern Minnesota the average air temperature is 48 degrees, so that means the ground temperature is 48 degrees and that also means the water temperature is typically 48 degrees," said Bishop. "So it is the average air temperature, which determines the ground temperature, which is what determines the water temperature in the cave." The cave was only discovered less than 100 years ago, but its rocky foundation stands the test of time. "This limestone is about 450 million years old," said Bishop. "The fact that we are walking through a slice through time, you can see various fossils at different depths tells a really great story of the geologic paths of the area." While many might associate caves with bats, you won't find any here. Matter of fact, it's very rare to see any life in the dark depths of the cave. "There is cave life in there but most of it in there is really small, almost microscopic," said Bishop. What the cave doesn't lack, is fossils. "The fossils in the cave are not only numerous but there's a variety of them, and each fossil has it's own story," said Bishop. A story that's pages continue to turn right here in our own backyard. "This area is prone to that kind of geology and just happens to be one of the most fantastic discoveries in this area," said Bishop. The cave had to remain closed in 2020 due to COVID-19, but they are very excited to be able to open back up this year. Right now, they are doing reservations for weekends only, but they hope as more people get vaccinated they can open back up 7 days a week. For more information on signing up for the cave tour, click here.

Watch Mark and Aaron’s interview with WXOW Reporter Warren Sears, Click Here: https://wxow.com/.../highlighting-one-of-minnesotas.../

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Lost Sea Adventure Replaces Boats

What a couple of days we had at Lost Sea. The night of April 19th we took the first of four new boats into the cave. This is not an easy task. It only happens every 25-30 years so this is the third time since the opening of the cave. JBM Incorporated in Knoxville designed and built the boat and three more will follow soon. The boat was taken down in two sections. Each section weighed close to a thousand pounds. A Gator utility vehicle led the way pulling half the boat on a large dolly. The boat and dolly was tied to a tractor that was pulling against the weight of the boat while maneuvering the steep turns and hills. Two people were walking at the front of the boat and two were walking behind helping to guide the boat. There was also a crazy old lady running behind taking pictures and trying not to get in the way. It was scary but so exciting. The JBM crew, they were amazing and did an awesome job. Our crew at Lost Sea also did a wonderful job. The two sides were welded together and put in the water a couple days later. I hope you enjoy the pictures some are a little dark.

Lisa McClung Lost Sea

We’re Positively Batty About This Lamp!

Bats have long been a quintessential Halloween motif. As nocturnal, cave-dwelling creatures, they’ve historically been associated with the underworld, so much so that depictions of devilish monsters, like gargoyles, often have bat-like wings to make them appear even scarier.

In the nineteenth century, Gothic horror novels, like John William Polidori’s “The Vampyre” (1819) and Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” (1897), helped forge a more romantic notion of bats, as shape-shifting vampires became part of popular fiction.

This lamp, however, likely draws on none of these associations. Rather, it was probably inspired by the influx of Japanese art at the turn of the century, where bats appeared frequently as a design motif in paintings, prints, lacquerware, metalware, and even textiles, as they symbolized happiness, luck, and good fortune. . .Tiffany Studios. “Bat” Table Lamp, ca. 1905. Photo: Sotheby’s

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Excessive Rainfall Causes Sinkholes on Farms

In a three-day rainfall accumulation ending on March 1, south central Kentucky found itself reaching high levels of rainfall throughout many counties. According to the National Weather Service, in Hart County alone, nearly six inches of rain fell during that time. Torrential rainfall not only brought flooding to many areas in the county, but also caused sinkholes to form on several local farms. One of those farms included the Ray farm in Hammonsville. According to DeJuana Lindsey, two sinkholes are now formed on that land. The hole that a calf had fallen in was a pre-existing sinkhole that had been on the farm for years. However, because of the rainfall from weeks ago, that particular hole has gotten deeper. It is now approximately 4-foot wide by 8-foot deep. The excessive rainfall also caused a new sinkhole to form, measuring at approximately 8-foot by 8-foot. “The new sinkhole is very close to the older hole,” Lindsey said. “I do think in time they will meet. There are caves all over the area, so you never know where one might turn up. I am very concerned for our cattle, and with the sinkholes being very close to the pond, I would hate to see the pond drain. We have fenced off the area for now and plan on filling with rock.” Other sinkholes have also opened up on the property of Lance and Shelly Strother, Faye Edwards, and the Puckett farm in Linwood.

After excessive rainfalls at the beginning of March, sinkholes Chelsea Ballard is the Membership and Volunteer Coordinator at the American Cave Conservation Association (ACCA). She is also like this one on the Puckett farm in Linwood have started to a student at Western Kentucky University (WKU) studying karst collapse in on land across Hart County. Photo submitted. geoscience and hydrogeology. Sinkholes are one of the many features that she studies and assesses in areas with limestone. “According to Kentucky Geologic Survey, around 40% of Kentucky is covered in sinkholes,” Ballard said. “For anyone in south central Kentucky, you can guarantee to find a sinkhole within a five-minute drive or sometimes just looking out your back door. This is all possible due to a karst landscape that is made up of soluble bedrock, such as limestone, and it erodes from rainwater. Other commonly known features related to this landscape are caves, springs, underground rivers, sinkholes, and disappearing streams.” “Generally, sinkholes continue to grow at various rates depending on their location and how much water it drains throughout the years,” Ballard continued. “If it is a sinkhole that drains after each rain, you can expect it to grow faster rather than a sinkhole that may not be as large of a depression.” Although the sinkholes at the Lindsey, Strother, Edwards, and Puckett properties came after the torrential rains, Ballard stated that during the months from December through April, more sinkholes develop than any other time of the year. She refers to it as “sinkhole season”. “This is due to varying temperatures, ground freezing and thawing, and our winter/spring rainy season,” Ballard explained. “Generally, the transition from summer to fall is a drought season. When we have several inches of rain drop in a short amount of time, the sinkholes flood because of one or two things.”

A sinkhole that has formed on the property of Lance and Shelly Strother. Photo submitted. NCA Cave Talk May 2021 Page | 15

Those two things may include:

1. The sinkholes can’t drain the water fast enough. 2. The groundwater table is so high that the water has nowhere to go.

“In this (second) situation, we had 6+ inches of rain in a short amount of time. The sinkholes became overwhelmed with the amount of water but eventually, the water table came up so high, the water had nowhere to go.” Ballard further stated that she knew collapsing sinkholes would occur after the heavy rainfalls. “One thing to keep in mind, this area is full of caves and underground voids,” Ballard said. “The water from the surface drains through the cracks and crevices of the limestone and slowly, over time, dissolves the rock away. As this occurs, the water below and above is always changing the landscape.” With the development of neighborhoods, roads, and towns, Ballard said water flow plays a major role in causing more sinkholes to collapse in. “As we alter the water flow, it affects the original path, and the water has to now find a new way down,” Ballard said. “This can weaken the new water paths more quickly because the water did not go that way originally.” “Water is powerful,” she added. “The best thing is for our community to be educated on sinkholes, caves, and water quality. Once that is accomplished, you can expect the area to improve on sinkholes from collapsing in and where we should or should not develop new neighborhoods, roads, etc.” However, Ballard said that it is hard to predict when a sinkhole may open up.

“Perfect example would be the Corvette Museum sinkhole collapse in 2014,” Ballard said. “The Skydome was built in the 1990s, unaware of a cave below. Twenty-five years later, a sinkhole opened up, swallowing up eight classic corvettes. Bowling Green has been developed on top of the sinkhole plain, where limestone is exposed. As cities, neighborhoods, roads, etc. develop, they are rerouting the original water flow, and it creates problems and concerns very quickly. The water is now finding a new way to get to the main river source, and it can cause the land to collapse in more quickly rather than it taking its original water flow. Bowling Green is essentially day-by-day waiting for another sinkhole to collapse in. There are constant concerns with sinkholes in that area.” But despite the unpredictability of sinkholes, farmers can take the proper precautions when something like that does occur. “If the landowners want to fill in their sinkhole, the best option is to incrementally fill the depression with fill soil that has a high amount of clay and low amount of sand,” Ballard explained. “Continue this process until the depression is filled in. You may want to overfill the hole and create a small dome since it is likely the fill soil will compact and settle over time. Allow the area to sit for a month or two to ensure that a new sinkhole does not form. You may want to lay some topsoil or potting soil on top. Topsoil can help you establish vegetation. Farmers should be on alert A sinkhole that has formed on the property of Lance and Shelly throughout the year to make check for new or growing sinkholes. Strother. Photo submitted. This can cause concerns for livestock or even equipment going off into the sinkholes.” If you would like more information or if you would like for someone to visit and assess your land about sinkholes, caves, springs, or water quality, please email Chelsea Ballard at [email protected]. And as always, please do not dump trash into sinkholes as it negatively impacts water quality. Mary Beth Sallee Reporter, Hart County News-Herald

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Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Once upon a time did you watch the tv show “Route 66?” A 1960 episode “A Fury Slinging Flame” was filmed in Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Watch Here: https://www.shoutfactorytv.com/route-66/route-66-s1-e11-a-fury- slinging-flame/53cd481869702d27d3231d00

A casual reminder from the rangers at Carlsbad Caverns National Park to stay on the designated hiking trails, above and below the surface!

This is the easiest way to safely enjoy your visit to the park and assist the staff here in protecting our fragile cave and desert resources for future generations. This rock squirrel (left) quickly learned that venturing off-trail will put you in a situation that can best be described as…stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Photo: NPS / A. Mazzucco

NCA Brochure 1970’s – 80’s Here’s a throw-back to the 1970’s with our Caves & Caverns Directory/Brochure (right). How many of you remember or have one? Currently it is selling on Ebay for five bucks!

Stark Caverns The frogs are loving the rain, except for this frog (left) who decided to take a break in the cave with our guests!

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My Unforgettable Experience Camping Inside the World’s Biggest Cave

I t’s dark inside the cave and I wake up in my tent sweat-drenched, despite having kicked off my sleeping bag and pyjamas in my sleep. Hungry for fresh air, I slip on some clothes before fumbling around for my flip-flops. After sliding out from my cocoon, I absorb my surroundings through bleary eyes. Within a second I’m wide awake, my mouth agape. Looming above is a 280-metre-wide ceiling collapse, a celestial portal to a starry midnight sky. I’m camped within central Vietnam’s Hang Son Doong — the world’s biggest cave by some measures — which lies buried in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Hang Son Doong makes headlines for its superlative size, but it’s the two ceiling collapses that lend its otherworldly atmosphere. According to British caver Howard Limbert, who led the inaugural survey here in 2009, the collapses were caused by a seismic event around half a million years ago. They are large enough to invite cascades of light that nourish thriving underground jungles. Hang Son Doong has only been open to the public since 2013, but its unique natural splendour and size tempted developers to propose a cable car the following year. The proposal was met with fierce opposition from local pressure groups, tourism experts and cavers, who warned that a cable car — and its attendant hordes of tourists — would cause irreparable damage. UNESCO also voiced concern, having designated Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park a World Heritage site in 2003. Back then, only one man knew Hang Son Doong even existed.

Local jungle explorer Ho Khanh serendipitously discovered Hang Son Doong in 1990 while seeking shelter from a storm. His subsequent attempts to find the cave again were fruitless until 2008; a year later, Ho guided Limbert and his team to the opening. The cavers surveyed Hang Son Doong and determined it contained the biggest known underground chamber on Earth. The national park granted local tour company Oxalis Adventure exclusive rights to conduct tours — like the one I’m on — in 2013. The tours span three nights, two of them spent within the nine-kilometre-long Hang Son Doong and one in Hang En, a neighbouring cave. An Oxalis Adventure tour remains the only way to explore the cave, and each one is restricted to 10 customers, ensuring fewer than 1,000 tourists visit each year. By contrast, a cable car would ferry thousands of tourists each day

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The cable car plans were shelved in 2019, but the argument sparked discussion over how Phong Nha, as the destination is known, can develop sustainably. That debate endures today; in March, a Euromonitor International report ranked Vietnam 96 out of 99 countries for sustainable tourism. However, Nguyen Chau A, founder and CEO of Oxalis Adventure, believes tourism can protect the environment and generate jobs in one of Vietnam’s poorest provinces — and the two are linked. Since the rediscovery of Hang Son Doong, almost 30 different caves in the area have opened to the public. His company employs more than 500 people in the destination as tour guides, porters and office workers. Besides the fact that providing locals with a regular income improves their standard of living, “this means they no longer have to support their families through illegal logging and hunting,” he says. Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park achieved its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site partly because of its rich biodiversity. The protected area is home to thousands of plant species and hundreds of animal species. But this biodiversity has suffered in recent decades, as poverty drove many locals into the jungle in search of sellable resources, such as rare agarwood trees and endangered pangolins.

“People did what they had to do to survive,” says Ho Trong Dai, a tour guide at Oxalis Adventure and Ho Khanh’s nephew. Ho received a university education and studied for his tour guide license, but he laments that those around him weren’t all so fortunate. “I never had to make a living in the jungle, but my friends did.” Now, however, people in Phong Nha no longer make money by taking from the forest: Around half of them do farming and the other half work in tourism, Ho explains. Hang Son Doong’s rediscovery and the subsequent influx of visitors led to the launch of activities beyond caving, including kayaking, trekking, ziplining, cycling and motorbiking. Phong Nha could become a model for sustainable tourism in Vietnam, but only if “there is a diversity of things to do,” says Nguyen Thanh Hai, a conservationist who opened Hai’s Eco Tours in 2016. Nguyen’s company takes tourists on trekking and camping trips through the national park, as well as guided tours to the wildlife rescue centre where he used to work. “I wanted to find a way to support the centre, which is desperately underfunded,” says Nguyen. Over the years, the centre has housed bears, civets, langurs and macaques, to name just a few animals. “By 2016, everyone was undercutting each other,” says Mitchell. “It was a great race to the bottom — and nobody was benefiting.” While the number of visits to most caves is strictly regulated by the authorities, almost anyone in Phong Nha can open a basic dorm or homestay, regardless of quality. Nevertheless, Mitchell is optimistic about Phong Nha’s accommodations in the future. “If there can be some form of organization like a local tourism association, things will improve,” he says.

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I first visited Phong Nha in 2008 when international travellers here were few and far between. Since then, I’ve seen the developing tourism generate local employment and contribute to conservation efforts. The crowds have been averted — at least for now. Currently Vietnam’s borders are sealed due to the pandemic, and although domestic tourism has kept Phong Nha afloat, the absence of inbound visitors is still keenly felt. But like Mitchell, I remain quietly optimistic about the destination’s future as an exemplar of sustainable travel. With so many of Vietnam’s highlight destinations — such as Halong Bay and Hoi An — buckling under the pressure of over- tourism in the years leading up to the pandemic, it has never been more important for Phong Nha to show there’s a better way. Tour was provided to Hanoi-based freelance writer Joshua Zukas by Oxalis Adventure. They did not review or approve this article. The Star understands the restrictions on travel during the coronavirus pandemic. But like you, we dream of travelling again, and we’re publishing this story with future trips in mind.

WNS Report Well, there is not much new in the WNS world this month:

According to the USGS, the overall risk of humans transmitting COVID-19 to bats to be 1 in 1,000 if no protective measures are taken, and the risk falls to 1 in 3,333 or less, with proper use of personal protective equipment or if scientists test negative for COVID-19 before beginning research. The study focused on the winter season.

Caves in Maquoketa State Park in Iowa were set to re-open on April 15th.

Wind Cave opened for tours in March after being closed for 20 months (elevator problems, then COVID).

April 17 was International Bat Day.

Patty Perlaky WNS Chair

ISCA Newsletter The May – June issue will be available and found here: https://www.i-s-c-a.org/

Coming in July

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The 1,000 Caves of Mars: Are We Ready to Help Organize the “Mars Caves Association?”

If you want to seek shelter on the red planet, there may be lots of options, and we know where they are!

Having already talked about Death on Mars, and Surviving Mars on these pages it seems reasonable to carry the discussion a little further.

Especially given the extraordinary efforts being made by SpaceX to push forward the transport infrastructure for getting humans, lots of humans, to the red planet – as described in this eye-opening article by Eric Berger in Ars Technica.

Specifically, a pretty clear option for mitigating some of the hazards on Mars for humans is to get underground. As I have described previously, high energy cosmic rays can penetrate a few meters into Martian regolith, spraying secondary radiation into whoever is unfortunate enough to be there. In addition, the immediate surface environment is rich in nasty Credit: NASA, JPL and University of Arizona oxidizing chemicals, strong ultraviolet light, and occasionally pelted by small meteorites that fall intact because of Mars's thin atmosphere.

But do we really want to try to construct deeply buried and shielded habitats on a large scale? Far better to look for naturally occurring shelters.

High resolution surface imaging data taken over the past couple of decades by instruments like the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Context Camera system (CTX), together with Mars Odyssey's thermal emission imaging system (THEMIS), have enabled scientists to search for signs of deep pits, caves, and lava tube structures on the planetary surface.

In general an opening to a deep enough cave will exhibit a combination of extreme shadowing and thermal characteristics that suggest a large interior volume. In practice the data, often with 6-meter per-pixel resolution, is challenging to interpret. Nonetheless, work had been underway over the years on a Mars Global Cave Candidate Catalog, or MGC3. Some of those results have been presented by Glen Cushing at the US Geological Survey.

The bottom line is that the very best region for cave candidates on Mars seems to be part of the spectacular Tharsis bulge. A region containing the three enormous shield volcanoes, Arsia Tharsis cave candidates from the MGC3 catalog. Credit: G. Mons, Pavonis Mons, and Ascraeus Mons (with Olympus Mons Cushing and USGS actually sitting off a little away from this region). Across this terrain a total of 1,029 good cave candidates have been identified (see the figure below). Including 349 potential lava tube skylights (openings into these structures) in 27 tubes that span a total length of some 1,250 kilometers.

Of course, the data we have at the moment can't tell us the true extent of any caves, nor can it easily detect smaller or non-sky-facing entrances. But, rather remarkably, we do seem to know where on Mars we should be sending human explorers if they want to have the best shot at finding natural, essential and permanent shelter.

Caleb A Scharf Scientific American

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Prehistoric Cavemen Starved Themselves of Oxygen to Induce Hallucinations and Inspire Their Ancient Paintings, Study Finds

Prototype of painting of the facsimile of the Chauvet cave, which contains some of the earliest known cave paintings Arc, in Vallon-Pont- d'Arc. Jeff Pachoud/AFP via Getty Images

 Prehistoric cave dwellers living in Europe starved themselves of oxygen to make art, researchers say.

 An Israeli study found that cavemen purposefully did this to help them interact with the cosmos.

 The study explains why so many ancient paintings are deep inside cave systems.

 Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Prehistoric cave dwellers living in Europe purposefully starved themselves of oxygen to hallucinate while creating their decorative wall paintings, a groundbreaking new study has found.

Researchers have been questioning for years why so many of the world's oldest paintings were located in often pitch- black tunnel systems, far away from cave entrances.

But a recent study by Tel Aviv University now reveals that the location was deliberate because it induced oxygen deprivation and caused cavemen to experience a state called hypoxia.

Hypoxia can bring about symptoms including shortness of breath, headaches, confusion, and rapid heartbeat, which can lead to feelings of euphoria, near-death experiences, and out-of-body sensations. The team of researchers believes it would have been "very similar to when you are taking drugs", the Times reported.

Read more: These 3 student influencers are earnings thousands of dollars on YouTube by posting videos about exam tips and study hacks

"It appears that Upper Paleolithic people barely used the interior of deep caves for daily, domestic activities. Such activities were mostly performed at open-air sites, rock shelters, or cave entrances," the study says, according to CNN.

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"While depictions were not created solely in the deep and dark parts of the caves, images at such locations are a very impressive aspect of cave depictions and are thus the focus of this study," it adds.

According to Ran Barkai, the co-author of the study, the cavemen used fire to light up the caves, which would simultaneously also reduce oxygen levels. Painting in these conditions was done deliberately and as a means of connecting to the cosmos, the researcher says.

"It was used to get connected with things," Barkai told CNN, adding that cave painters often thought of the rock face as a portal connecting their world with the underworld, which was associated with prosperity and growth. The researcher also suggested that cave paintings could have been used as part of a kind of initiation rite.

The fascinating cave paintings, which date from around 40,000 to 14,000 years ago, depict animals such as mammoths, bison, and ibex.

"It was not the decoration that rendered the caves significant but the opposite: The significance of the chosen caves was the reason for their decoration," the study reads, according to CNN.

The study focused on decorated caves in Europe, mostly in Spain and France. It was published last week in the scientific journal "Time and Mind: The Journal of Archaeology, Consciousness, and Culture."

Sofia Ankel Business Insider Thanks to Patty Perlaky for sharing this story

Divers Rescue Thai Buddhist Monk Trapped

in Flooded Cave

A Buddhist monk who was trapped by floodwaters inside a cave in northern Thailand for four days has been rescued by divers, a provincial official said Wednesday April 8, 2021.

The 46-year-old monk, Phra Manas, entered Tham Phra Sai Ngam cave in Phitsanulok province on Saturday to meditate, said Therayuth Chandithawong, chief of the provincial Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. Many caves in Thailand have shrines in spots considered holy.

While the monk was inside, heavy rain from a summer thunderstorm raised water levels inside the cave significantly, blocking the entrance and stranding the monk on high ground inside, Therayuth said.

The incident and its successful resolution recalled the 2018 ordeal of the members of the “Wild Boars” soccer team, who were trapped for more than two weeks inside a cave in Chiang Rai province, also in the north. Thai Navy Seals and an international team of cave divers and hundreds of helpers managed the extremely complicated rescue of the 12 boys and their coach.

Phra Manas makes a pilgrimage every April from another province to meditate in Tham Phra Sai Ngam cave, Therayuth said. When the monk didn’t return after the rain, villagers alerted local authorities.

Hundreds of rescue workers, including divers, medics and other specialists gathered at the scene. Seven divers went into the cave Wednesday morning after the rain stopped and found the monk, who put on a diving mask and was led to safety through a submerged distance of 12 meters (39 feet).

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Timpanogos Cave Entrance Toilets Perched High Up on

a Cliff

Is cleaning the bathroom one of your favorite chores? The restroom perched on the cliff near the cave entrance is over 76 years old! It was built by the (WPA) Works Progress Administration in 1939 when the cave tunnels were completed from rock right from the mountain! Cleaning and caring for this historic restroom is vital to every person hiking the trail! If this was the bathroom in your house, how would you keep it clean? Imagine what it takes and think kindly of those who keep this unique building working properly!

Good Morning from Cave of the Winds

A mule deer greets visitors at Cave of the Winds in Colorado. The mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) is a deer indigenous to western North America; it is named for its ears, which are large like those of the mule.

Are You Need NCA Brochures?

We Have Lots Left Since We Didn’t Ship Many Last Year. Currently we have nearly 70,000 at Our Storage Facility and We Will Not Designing a New Brochure this Year. We Must Use the Current Ones Up First.

Some of You Already Requested and Your Order Has Been Processed.

I Will Contact Our Storage Facility Very Soon to Ship Additional Brochures.

So if You Are in Need - Please Let Me Know ASAP… [email protected]

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NCA Insurance Column: Join the

National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls

Falls from elevation continue to be the leading cause of fatalities within the construction and general industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 366 of the 971 construction fatalities in 2017 were caused by falls from elevation. The stunning fact of this statistic is that all of the deaths could have been prevented.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and dozens of other groups, asks employers to take a few minutes to discuss fall protection and safety when working from heights during the annual Fall Safety Stand Down in May.

What is the National Safety Stand-Down? The program was originally a two-year effort, launched on Workers Memorial Day in 2012, to raise awareness of preventing fall hazards in construction. It was so successful, it continues at the start of every construction season. Tens of thousands of employers nationwide and more than a million workers participate in the annual Fall Safety Stand-Down. But this initiative does not apply only to construction.

All Industries Can Conduct a Stand-Down Following highway crashes, falls are the second leading cause of workplace death. While construction workers are most at risk, falls can happen in agriculture, manufacturing, transportation and any other industry that involves working from height. NSC and OSHA encourage workers in all industries to conduct a Stand-Down. No company is too small to participate; roughly half of events nationwide are held by companies with 25 or fewer employees.

It's Easy to Conduct a Stand-Down A Fall Safety Stand-Down can be a one-time event, or it can incorporate fall-safety events throughout the week. Managers are encouraged to plan a Stand-Down that works best for their workplace. Consider:

 Conducting a toolbox talk focused on ladder, scaffold or roof safety  Conducting a safety inspection along with employees  Developing a rescue plan  Holding a training session  Showing a safety video

Certificate of Participation Employers were able to provide information about their Stand-Down and download a Certificate of Participation following their event(s). This certificate recognizes the time and effort each organization devoted to talking about preventing falls with their crews.

OSHA appreciates any feedback on the Stand-Down campaign and future outreach efforts. Please email [email protected].

Lots of Resources are Available OSHA offers handouts, posters, quizzes, fact sheets, stickers, t-shirts and more, as well as these suggestions on how to prepare for a successful Stand-Down. OSHA also posts a list of Stand-Down events being held across the country.

If you plan to host a free event open to the public, see OSHA's Events page to submit the event details and contact your regional Stand-Down coordinator.

Adam Bryant Assurance

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Calendar of Events  International Year of Caves & Karst 2021-2022  National Travel & Tourism Week, May 2-8, 2021  National Cave and Karst Day, June 6, 2021  NSS Convention 2021, Weed, California, June 28 – July 2, 2021  18th International Congress of Speleology, Lyon, France, July 23 – 29, 2021  NCA Convention 2021, Host: Bridal Cave, Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, October 10 –15, 2021 (New Date & Location)  International Cave Lighting Workshop Obertraun, Austria, sponsored by Cave Lighting, October 21 - 24, 2021  International Gift Exposition in the Smokies 2021, Sevierville, Tennessee, (Dates TBD), & Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, (Dates TBD)  Smoky Mountain Gift Show 2021 Gatlinburg, Tennessee, (TBD)  IAAPA 2021, Orlando, Florida, November 16 –19, 2021  International Year of Caves & Karst 2021-2022  NCA Mid-Winter Board of Directors Meeting 2022 San Antonio, Texas, (Dates TBD),  National Bat Appreciation Day, April 17, 2022  NSS Convention 2022, Custer, South Dakota, (Dates TBD)  NCA Convention & ISCA 9th Congress 2022, Host: Natural Bridge Caverns, San Antonio, Texas, September 29 – October 8, 2022 (extended pre and post trips optional)  International Gift Exposition in the Smokies 2022, Sevierville, Tennessee, (Dates TBD), & , Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, (Dates TBD)  Smoky Mountain Gift Show 2022 Gatlinburg, Tennessee, (TBD)  IAAPA 2022, Orlando, Florida, November 15 – 18, 2022  NCA Mid-Winter Board of Directors Meeting 2023, Orlando, Florida, (TBD)

Got News? Please make sure you let Bob Holt know when you have news to share with the membership regarding you and your cave. It is the goal of the NCA office to continue producing monthly issues of Cave Talk and this can only happen when you help with the sharing of your news. Please send your articles, photographs to [email protected].

June 2021 Cave Talk Deadline Please have all articles to Bob Holt no later than May 15. Thank you!

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