Cave Closures - Unintended Consequences

[PYoungbaer]

An excellent article by Jennifer Pinkley on the unintended consequences of cave closures in the April conservation issue of the NSS News, featuring Fern Cave, Alabama:

http://www.caves.org/WNS/Fern%20Cave%20Graffiti.pdf

[BrianC]

Will the media pick this up?

[Crockett]

The important part of the story:

"I now wish I’d fought much harder for limited access to Fern. We should all start fighting for at least limited access for surveying and monitoring. We should offer to use dedicated cave gear for especially sensitive caves. We should always abide by decon protocols if we do get access."

I agree. The NSS should be leading the fight with training, education, programs and services that get members into caves.

[BrianC]

The important part of the story:

"I now wish I’d fought much harder for limited access to Fern. We should all start fighting for at least limited access for surveying and monitoring. We should offer to use dedicated cave gear for especially sensitive caves. We should always abide by decon protocols if we do get access."

I agree. The NSS should be leading the fight with training, education, programs and services that get members into caves.

I'm happy to see that you agree here Crockett!

[MUD]

The NSS should be leading the fight with training, education, programs and services that get members into caves.

You're kidding right? It looks to me that the NSS would rather spend our money on a fancy building for a STILL dwindling membership.

[Mudduck]

The NSS should be leading the fight with training, education, programs and services that get members into caves.

You're kidding right? It looks to me that the NSS would rather spend our money on a fancy building for a STILL dwindling membership.

I'm feeling positve today so I'm willing to take some hits. Never been to the NSS office, old or new. I have however seen pictures and a new building wasnt out of line in my opinion. In order to recruit and retain members we must present a professional and pleasing image that shows a positive and progressive attitude torwards caving. Individuals must put greivances aside and show public dedication and support. The NSS largely in my opinion lacks a unified voice. When so many speak in disgust and discontent towards an organization the negativety rapidly becomes viral. To have a future this is something that must change. Without a membership we have no voice. Without a voice we will not be heard. If we are not heard our caves will remain closed and instances such as the occurence at Fern will continue. I hear so often that the NSS should or shouldnt do this or that. We are the NSS its up to us to be persistant and lead the fight.

[cavercrane97]

I agree with both sides on this case. It would be great to support both fighting for opening caves and to build a new building, but, as the old saying goes,"money doesn't grow on trees." By building our new building, I believe we are reaching out to the public with a much more impressive office and grounds, not that the old one was really that bad. Also, we need the room. I have been to the old office and library, and it is literally packed to the roof. Everything takes time and has its ups and downs. Now is a time for the caving community to pull together even tighter to push through our troubles. Remember, we are the National Speleological Society. I am one of the next generation cavers and I will pick up where you guys leave off. The NSS will always pull through!

[wyandottecaver]

I absolutely agree with Jennifer's commeents on Fern.

As for the HQ, my (dim) view of what happened is well known.

Has anyone joined ANY organization because they were impressed by a building? Country clubs come to mind, and I'm not sure that isn't the culture some are aiming for.