Cave and Karst News Special Edition:

Local Events

Guest Scientist Presentation at NCKRI Headquarters
Earth Day Clean-Ups

Guest Scientist Presentation

Join the Anton Melik Geographical Institute, Carlsbad Caverns National Park and the National Cave and Karst Research Institute:

Pollution of Karst Caves in Selected Slovenian Regions

by Dr. Jure Tičar

In Slovenia, cave pollution has been partially studied at the local level, while in foreign literature cave pollution is mentioned only in the context of studies on karst environmental pollution. Our research focuses on cave pollution at the regional level, where we studied the condition of caves in 17 selected Slovenian regions. The study answers the question about the prevalence of cave pollution in Slovenia and the relationship between cave pollution and the associated spatial factors influencing it.

Cave Tourism in Slovenia

by Dr. Jure Tičar and Dr. Matija Zorn

Slovenia is considered "the cradle of karst geotourism". The first tourist cave in the world was the Vilenica Cave on the Kras Plateau (Classic Karst, SW Slovenia). One of the most visited tourist caves in SE Europe is Postojna Cave, with more than one million visitors to the cave and surrounding karst geotourism attractions in 2016. The management of caves is strictly regulated by the Underground Caves Protection Act, as all caves in Slovenia are defined as natural heritage of national importance and are owned by the state.

Learn how the current status and potential status of cave tourism was tracked to gain a better understanding of sustainable geotourism.

The event will be held at NCKRI headquarters at 7pm MDT, Friday April 7, 2023. 400-1 Cascades Ave, Carlsbad, NM 88220.

You can join us via zoom:

https://zoom.us/j/99668231232?pwd=YTlyT3B1SEMxcFFZVVhwRjRMTmZyUT09&from=addon

Meeting ID: 996 6823 1232

Passcode: 971269

Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/acqu3faTxO

Please direct all questions to gveni@nckri.org.

Cave and Karst Earth Day Clean-Ups

Sinkhole Clean-Up: Sacramento Plains

Time: 10am

Date: 4/22/2023

Location: RSVP to receive location

The Roswell Field Office will be holding our 2nd Earth Day Sinkhole cleanup project on April 22nd, 2023. We will meet at the site at 10am and should be done by 2pm.

We will be going back to our August 27th, 2022 project site. This will be a short one day event to finish up cleaning this sinkhole. We hope to uncover an entrance, but we won't know until we get the rest of the trash out of the sink. If a cave is found, we'll take name suggestions from the group.

BLM will supply a dumpster and tools. BLM will have some PPE, but you should bring your own work gloves, heavy boots, hat, sunscreen, lunch and water.

The area is remote, so come prepared!

To see pictures from Earth Day 2022

Please direct all questions to Knutt Peterson and Michael Moffitt.

RSVP to receive a map to the location:

Knutt Peterson,

Cave & Karst Specialist knuttpet@blm.gov

505-459-5385

Michael Moffitt, Volunteer Coordinator

nmcavingprojects@gmail.com

Cave Clean-Up: Carlsbad

Time: 8:30am

Date: 4/22/2023

Location: RSVP then meet to

400-1 Cascades Ave Carlsbad, NM 88220 before traveling to site.

The Carlsbad Field Office will be holding a Cave Clean-Up near Lake Avalon on April 22nd, 2023 in celebration of Earth Day. We will meet at the National Cave and Karst Research Institute Building and caravanning with high clearance vehicles to the site.

BLM will supply a dump trailer, eye protection, tools and extra water.

Participants should bring a sack lunch, leather gloves, long sleeve shirt, durable pants, work boots and sun protection.

If the cave entrance is cleared, there is potential to go inside. If you intend to visit the cave bring gloves, light, helmet and knee pads.

Please direct all questions to Ellen Trautner and Eamon Brennan.

Fill out the Sign-Up form to RSVP

Ellen Trautner,

Outdoor Recreation Planner (Caves)

etrautner@blm.gov

575-234-5711

Eamon Brennan,

Outdoor Recreation Planner

ebrennan@blm.gov

The National Cave and Karst Institute is a research center of New Mexico Tech. Our mission is to promote and facilitate cave and karst research, education and sustainability.