During a recent visit to collect specimens for scientific research, we discovered grafitti, vandalism and new evidence of recent unauthorized access to Fern Cave. We found initials and arrows carved on cave walls in one passage area leading to the summer gray bat roosting area, and another trail of arrows and markings scratched into cave walls leading all the way into Helactite Heaven, one of the most delicate and heavily decorated areas in any cave in TAG. This is a clear example for everyone that blanket cave closures put fragile karst resources, endangered species and ecosystems at greater risk by preventing intervention and monitoring of the cave by responsible permited cavers. Because of misguided policies based on ignorance and a lack awarness of best pracitices for cave management, Fern Cave has been closed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service for over two and a half years based on concerns that cavers threaten endangered gray bats that hibernate in the cave. Previous to the cave closure order from the USFWS, access management and monitoring of the cave was carried out by volunteers from the Huntsville Grotto of the National Speleological Society. During this time of consistent presence of NSS cavers, incidents of vandalism in the cave had been virtually eliminated. Now, managed, permited access for responsible cavers is prohibited, leaving the cave more vulnerable to irreperable damage than any time since its discovery. Fern Cave is the largest cave in Alabama, one of the most significant caves in TAG and home of the largest gray bat colony in the world.
Steve Pitts
Fern Cave Property Manager