Yo! Patience grasshopper! There are lots of things going on in life that demand priority. Gasp!
As amazing as that may seem.
The event went well, opened important doors, and, I think, launched a new initiative for cave and karst resource with the USFS.
A very successful couple of days.
30-40 representatives from various federal agencies attended, including some folks in influential, high ranking positions, plus about 25 cavers and the panel and speakers. Cavers included NSS Board members, past officers, a past president, committee chairmen, as well as grotto officers and noted speleologists. This was a great turnout for DC, especially considering that the event occupied most of the morning. Upon arriving at the USDA auditorium, each attendee was given a folder with copies of several cave and conservation-related articles and NSS brochures, and a name tag. The NSS display boards were set up in the auditorium foyer with brochures available.
After the presentations, film, and panel discussion, most of the audience moved on to the reception for sandwiches and soft drinks and lots of mingling and discussions for over an hour. BCI and NCKRI displays were in this area and Sandy Trout was on one side of the room demonstrating karst hydrology with a groundwater model (similar to this
http://groundwater.unl.edu/karst.htm) to interested people.
The NSS was pretty visible throughout the event as a major partner, with brochures, signs, the display, and credits during presentations...and of course cavers with "NSS" on their name tags.
Very importantly, the NSS was involved in several meetings with high-ranking USFS officials and two congressmen's staff the day before and the afternoon following the CC Cafe. We were pleased with their interest and responses, the ideas generated, and the commitments made. I'm not going into details for pretty obvious reasons. Suffice it to say that the cafe initiative was an excellent springboard and we have high hopes for all that may result. More meetings are in the works, as are cave awareness events at some other agencies.
Thanks to the Hoosier National Forest, Indiana Karst Conservancy, USFS, and NCKRI for a very successful couple of days.
Cheryl