North Alabama's Fern Cave Vandalized

[Steve Pitts]

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

[self-deleted_user]

There is a video Aaron Bird recently put on youtube, same story, different cave (one in West Virgina iirc).

Indeed, the "funny" thing about closing caves, those of us who care pay attention and listen to the rules. Those that didn't care in the firstplace then get free reign and destroy the very thing those who truly cared were protecting. It's sad. I suspect we will see more and more of these stories as time goes on. Fern is one that I want to see someday, hopefully it won't be destroyed by the time I can :/

[Cheryl Jones]

There is a video Aaron Bird recently put on youtube, same story, different cave (one in West Virgina iirc).

Indeed, the "funny" thing about closing caves, those of us who care pay attention and listen to the rules. Those that didn't care in the firstplace then get free reign and destroy the very thing those who truly cared were protecting. It's sad. I suspect we will see more and more of these stories as time goes on. Fern is one that I want to see someday, hopefully it won't be destroyed by the time I can :/

During the NSS Convention's WNS panel session on Tuesday, Peter Y mentioned both incidents of vandalism to the federal officials (and cavers) as an example of the consequences of only cavers/NSS members respecting closed cave directives. BTW, Peter was terrific on the panel and represented our interests well.

Cheryl

[Steve Pitts]

That is extremely helpful. In the cases I am familiar with, the Federal officials responsible for these cave resources have no idea what is actually involved in proper cave management. It is absolutely impossible for *anyone* to properly manage karst resources from behind a desk. In these cases, there is no insight, no intuitive grasp and no practical knowledge to allow these individuals to make the right decisions necessary to protect and conserve fragile cave environments and endangered species habitat. The outcome of the WNS crisis is unknown, but is clear to me that a favorable outcome is more likely if Federal officials seek collaboration with the caving community. When and if they ever do that, it will be a 180 degree turn-about from what we have now.

[Crockett]

http://www.postindependent.com/article/ ... ofile=1074

[pub]

Thanks for the link Crockett, it's worth posting on CBD's SOB FB...