KWI Conduit

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Volume VI, Number 1

Spring 1998

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Conservation Notes

The Indiana Karst Conservancy recently acquired Sullivan Cave in south-central Indiana.  The IKC approved a property management plan at its annual business meeting and expressed its appreciation of the great outpouring of support for the effort to purchase the cave. Information about the cave, management plan, visitation rules, and liability/waiver information forms may be found on the web at http://www.caves.org/conservancy/ikc/help.htm.  For more information please contact Bill Tozer (Wtozer@aol.com) via e-mail or write:

Sullivan Acquisition
c/o Indiana Karst Conservancy
PO Box 2401
Indianapolis, IN  46206
 

The Kamenca Valley, a small glacially shaped valley in Slovenia near its border with Italy is a focus of current conservation efforts in Slovenia.  The limestones, sandstones, and glacial sediments of the valley are highly dissected by the Kamenca Brook.  The rugged slopes of the valley harbor a rich ecosystem with an abundance of animal and plant species.  With the exception of a few lightly used pastures, most of the valley remains in a natural wooded state.  Its pristine beauty and value as a natural environment have merited listing as a natural heritage site for the Republic of Slovenia and in 1986 was included in the Commune of Tolmin  (Obcina Tolmin) inventory for evaluating long-term land-use and regional planning.  The proposed construction of a new road on the north slope of valley is being opposed by various conservation movements because of the potential to permanently upset the delicate balance of this ecosystem.  A complete assessment of the natural resources (including any karst resources) is lacking.  A letter writing campaign has been undertaken to stop construction of the new road and encourage reconstruction of an existing, but poorly maintained road, passing near the area in question.  More information regarding the Kamenca Valley conservation effort can be obtained from Daniel Rojvsek (Daniel@ng.sik.si).

Phillippe Axell

Following the statutory meeting of the UIS Commission on Cave Mineralogy held during the 12th. International Congress of Speleology in August 1997, Carol A. Hill, president of the Commission, requested that a Working Group for the Conservation of Speleothems and Caves of Mineralogical Interest be established.  This Working Group would be part of the UIS Commission on Cave Mineralogy and cooperate with other UIS Commissions and Working Groups as well as International and National Conservation Organizations.

The ultimate goal of this Working Group is to promote a worldwide conservation policy for Speleothems and Caves of Mineralogical Interest and to encourage scientific research and public education in this field.  To reach this goal, some immediate actions have been proposed:

1- To start a lobbying campaign internationally to ban the trade of speleothems. Each member of the group could work within their area of influence to obtain the help of other local conservation organizations or other groups interested in this action. Documents and data, such as current national legislation, could be compiled by the Working Group and made available to help in this campaign.

2- To publish Guidelines for the conservation of cave minerals, speleothems, and caves of mineralogical interest. This could be based on an article written by Patrick Cabrol that is being circulated amongst the Working Group for comments.

3- To identify and record caves of mineralogical interest around the world and to establish a classification for the protection of these caves (i.e. the most exceptional ones could be recommended for the UNESCO's World Heritage List).

4- To decide on a communication/education policy that would raise public awareness through the media and through public arenas such as show caves. A cooperative agreement with the International Show Cave Association could be established for this purpose.

More information about the working group or subscription to their e-mailing list can be obtained from Phillippe Axell (Axell@tornado.be)
 

KWI Conduit
(c) 1998 Karst Waters Institute
Photo Courtesy of T. Joseph Dogwiler (c) 1997