Cave Management Services- OZAR

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Better manage the subterranean habitat of cave bats in OZAR. CRF is the leader in mapping and studying caves in the U.S.. CRF works with the Federal, State & numerous other agencies and partners for the past 60 years to provide accurate information to RM staff & increase the publics understanding of and appreciation for cave resources. Their work crosses all political boundaries within the US and is used by a wide variety of organizations to develop interpretive and educational materials. The work performed by CRF helps the Park in meeting the legislated goals of protecting and conserving OZAR's natural and cultural features. The Cave Research Foundation (CRF) recruits many volunteers for various cave related projects. Although many of these volunteers have specialized cave/karst related experience, many of them have not been to the park. Their direct participation in projects allows the opportunity for them to experience the park’s free-flowing spring-fed Current and/or Jacks Fork Rivers via canoe or kayak while also enjoying the ecological beauty of the rugged forested hills and cave systems. Biological inventories and cave restoration further allow us to gain valuable knowledge about our cave ecosystems. Such information is incorporated into a state-wide cave life database, educational brochures, newsletters, articles (i.e. Inside Earth), and research projects. CRF will conduct a variety of scientific research projects related to caves and karst (i.e. biological inventories, long-term monitoring, conferences, meetings, and White-Nose Syndrome monitoring), assist in the conservation of cave and karst resources (i.e. cave gating, repair to caves that have been vandalized, provide technical and educational expertise related to cave/karst management decisions, etc.), and assist in interpretation of these natural and cultural resources through education outreach (i.e. educational articles, brochures, research publications, and cave tours at Round Spring). The OZAR Terrestrial Ecologist works jointly and extensively with the CRF in developing annual work plans, new projects, and educational materials, articles and/or journal entries. OZAR consults with CRF in order to gain knowledge on specific cave history, natural/cultural significance, biological significance, priority needs, and/or vandalism issues as they pertain to NEPA scoping for various projects. CRF duties include: annual monitoring and surveying biota of selected caves, cave mapping, general cave management activities such as designing and installing cave gates, restoring cave floors in conjunction with cultural resource specialists, writing cave restoration project statements for funding, writing articles per request of OZAR staff related to cave geology/biota, assisting staff with annual bio inventories of Federally Threatened and Endangered bat species, provide technical and expertise for compliance; maintains State's Cave Life Database, recruits volunteers and cooperative partners.

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