I'm not trying to be evasive or secretive. And there really are no conspiracies, and nothing to be anxious about.
I just didn't realize that you wanted the detailed details.
Cindy Sandeno, of the Hoosier Nat. Forest, organized the CC Cafe at the USFS Washington DC office, with the goal of promoting the need for integrated strategies for cave and karst resource management, and generally to let folks know that caves and karst are important. (Refer to what she said in the invitation in the initial post in this topic.) Invitations to federal agencies were sent to the DC offices of the USFS, BLM, NPS, EPA, USF&WS, and probably others. The Cafe was sponsored by the NSS and the Indiana Karst Conservancy.
The main event was held in an auditorium in the USDA building, and everyone who attended signed in and received a name tag and packet of cave conservation and management literature. There was much mingling and talking in the foyer and auditorium before we got started. I haven't seen the sign-in sheet but Cindy said she was pleased with who showed up (as far as job titles, responsibilities, and federal agency.)
Cindy opened the event, then a series of speakers gave ~8 minute presentations, accompanied by power point slides. I'll try to remember the lineup and what was said, and apologize now to anyone reading this who spoke and I've forgotten, or whose topic I'm not reporting correctly. (I didn't bring home a program that was given to each attendee when they arrived, and didn't take notes.)
Noted scientist Jean Krejca spoke on cave adaptation. USFS National Coordinator for Cave Resources Jerry Trout spoke on how far the USFS has come in cave management, the value of the partnerships with cavers, and a vision for the need for a greater focus on cave and karst resources. Sandy Trout spoke on cave hydrology and the importance of teaching this to landowners, the public, and in school curricula. NSS Conservation Committee Co-chairman Val Hildreth Werker spoke on the amazing research being done in caves, and the interest NASA has in how this might relate to life on other planets. I'm sure I remember that noted scientist Diana Northrup spoke, but sorry Diana, I can't remember your topic! Perhaps NCKRI?
Caves: Life Under the Forest Floor was introduced by director Dan McGowan, then the film was shown.
Afterwards, a panel was seated on the stage, each first taking a few minutes to talk about their organization as it relates to caves, then answering questions. Again, the target audience wasn't cavers, but federal agency staff for whom caves, karst, and their value are new or little understood topics. Much of what was said cavers have had the opportunity to learn via the NSS News, the Journal, books, at NSS Conventions, and at the National Cave and Karst Management Symposiums.
The people I recall on the panel: A representative from The Nature Conservancy, the NSS Government Liaison, noted bio-speleologists Julian Lewis and Horton Hobbs, Jerry Trout, Jean Krejca, and a couple more. I can see them in my mind's eye.... I'll ask and find out for you, and amend this post.
Then we walked across the street to the USFS office where sandwiches, softies, and deserts were enjoyed by all. Bottles of sparkling cider had Caves: Beneath the Forest Floor labels! Again, much mingling and talking caves.
I can't report substantially on the specific meetings with honchos for I didn't attend and so its not my prerogative. Conservation co-chairs Val and Jim Werker represented the NSS. Additionally, Cavechat is a public forum, so I will not go into any details, name names, or discuss specifics that I learned. Suffice it to say I know the goal was to encourage ways to integrate several areas of the USFS into new strategies for cave and karst resource management, and to raise the awareness of the importance of doing do. For example, cave management should extend to involve those responsible for engineering, geology, hydrology, logging, mining, anthropology, paleontology, etc, in order to effectively protect karst resources, for activities in each of these areas are likely to involve karst, caves, or lava tubes Those on "our side" involved the meetings were pleased with the outcome, and plan to follow up.
I hope that covers pretty much what you wanted to know. Any specific questions?
The NSS regularly participates in meetings, conferences, symposiums, and other events, sometimes as a sponsor, and regularly meets with federal agency officials to talk cave management, even visiting Capitol Hill once a year as part of the AAAS (with which we are affiliated.) A team including the NSS (represented by Val and Jim) visited the offices of two Senators the day before to the CC Cafe. The Cave Conservation Cafe was unusual in that a general invitation went out to cavers.
A copy of the film is available in the NSS AV Library. It would make a great grotto program. Some outstanding photography and interesting information.
Cheryl
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