Post by jonsdigs on Nov 16, 2006 9:26:29 GMT -5
Group aims to map, protect Ozarks caves
Ann Keyes
For the news-leader
Members of Ozark Highlands Grotto make their way through Breakdown Cave in Christian County.
News-Leader File Photo
Who: Ozark Highlands Grotto
Mission: This group of southwest Missouri cavers seeks to explore and restore caves in the Ozarks and nationwide. Its goal is to survey, conserve and protect caves and karst features.
About: Formed in 1975, OHG was the brainchild of students at then-Southwest Missouri State University. The current membership of OHG varies in age and occupation, but they share a responsibility, says club vice president Jeremy Bounds: Spread the message of cave conservation.
OHG meets at 7 p.m. the first Wednesday monthly at the Library Center, in southeast Springfield. Dues are $15 annually for individuals and $17 for family membership, says club president Charley Rey. OHG is a member organization of the National Speleological Society and Missouri Caves and Karst, among other associations with similar aims.
Members of OHG enjoy access to a library of club-held books and videos on caves and caving; skills required for proper exploration of caves might be of interest. "Under the Highlands," the group's monthly newsletter, gives members a detailed account of upcoming meetings and scheduled trips to area caves. The OHG Web site tells much the same and touts the benefit of membership in OHG as having "someone to go caving with."
Past projects: Surveying caves in the Ozarks has been on the OHG agenda for some time. The group maps and studies caverns and offers information to private landowners in regard to their grottos in an effort to promote closing off private caves with gates. OHG looks to the Missouri Department of Conservation for guidance; liabilities for installing gates in caves and associated permits are myriad.
Cave restoration has been a goal of OHG: Breakdown Cave in Christian County holds a restoration laboratory and classroom that is used by members. Lawrence County's Turnback Cave has been worked on by OHG experts; damage has been repaired in the cavern that is home to Turnback Creek Cave Spring, part of an underground stream known to contain the endangered Ozark cavefish.
Upcoming: OHG will continue efforts that further cave restoration and the health of the environment in general. Organized adventures might number several a month. One weekend cavers slog waterways toting trash bags as part of a stream cleanup; the next weekend, group members camp overnight between trips below ground for cavern mapping.
Want to join, volunteer or need to know more? Take in a meeting; contact information is found on the Web at Ozark Highlands Grotto.
Article
Ann Keyes
For the news-leader
Members of Ozark Highlands Grotto make their way through Breakdown Cave in Christian County.
News-Leader File Photo
Who: Ozark Highlands Grotto
Mission: This group of southwest Missouri cavers seeks to explore and restore caves in the Ozarks and nationwide. Its goal is to survey, conserve and protect caves and karst features.
About: Formed in 1975, OHG was the brainchild of students at then-Southwest Missouri State University. The current membership of OHG varies in age and occupation, but they share a responsibility, says club vice president Jeremy Bounds: Spread the message of cave conservation.
OHG meets at 7 p.m. the first Wednesday monthly at the Library Center, in southeast Springfield. Dues are $15 annually for individuals and $17 for family membership, says club president Charley Rey. OHG is a member organization of the National Speleological Society and Missouri Caves and Karst, among other associations with similar aims.
Members of OHG enjoy access to a library of club-held books and videos on caves and caving; skills required for proper exploration of caves might be of interest. "Under the Highlands," the group's monthly newsletter, gives members a detailed account of upcoming meetings and scheduled trips to area caves. The OHG Web site tells much the same and touts the benefit of membership in OHG as having "someone to go caving with."
Past projects: Surveying caves in the Ozarks has been on the OHG agenda for some time. The group maps and studies caverns and offers information to private landowners in regard to their grottos in an effort to promote closing off private caves with gates. OHG looks to the Missouri Department of Conservation for guidance; liabilities for installing gates in caves and associated permits are myriad.
Cave restoration has been a goal of OHG: Breakdown Cave in Christian County holds a restoration laboratory and classroom that is used by members. Lawrence County's Turnback Cave has been worked on by OHG experts; damage has been repaired in the cavern that is home to Turnback Creek Cave Spring, part of an underground stream known to contain the endangered Ozark cavefish.
Upcoming: OHG will continue efforts that further cave restoration and the health of the environment in general. Organized adventures might number several a month. One weekend cavers slog waterways toting trash bags as part of a stream cleanup; the next weekend, group members camp overnight between trips below ground for cavern mapping.
Want to join, volunteer or need to know more? Take in a meeting; contact information is found on the Web at Ozark Highlands Grotto.
Article