Post by Taylor on Aug 5, 2006 3:52:47 GMT -5
Other aspects of Karst continuing
By Kyle Marksteiner
August 4, 2006
CARLSBAD — While the construction of the National Cave and Karst Institute facility is on hold, again, other aspects of the institute are continuing, said Ron Kerbo, interim director of the program. "I wouldn't say that it is on hold," Kerbo said. "Some of the larger projects are on hold, but among other things, we do have a slate of candidates for the director." Once a new full-time director is selected, that individual will be an employee of New Mexico Tech and work in Carlsbad. NPS will continue to have oversight of the program.
This week, the institution renewed its agreement on its temporary location in Carlsbad. The small staff currently operates out of two rooms at the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Training Center, which belongs to the Carlsbad Department of Development. The current staff in Carlsbad consists of a handful of paid researchers and volunteers. "We are, right now, working on a budget and looking at money for New Mexico Tech to continue to support the search for director, as well as for creating new positions," Kerbo said. The program is also, Kerbo noted, moving forward with implementing a masters program related to caves at Western Kentucky University.
"We're also moving ahead with our karst map project," Kerbo said. "We will have an exhibit up at the upcoming national speleological convention."
Locally, the institute has continued with a lecture series first implemented by National Cave and Karst Research Institute director Louise Hose.
"But the biggest news right now is that we do have that roster (of potential directors)," Kerbo said. "Hopefully, within a couple months we'll have a new director. We see that as a positive step, but we would like to see building progress."
Kerbo was the cave resource specialist at Carlsbad Caverns National Park from 1976 to 1991. He currently serves as the National Cave and Karst Program Director, while acting as interim director of the institute in Carlsbad. While he indicated some frustration with the delays in construction of the building, he seemed less frustrated than other individuals involved.
"It's just one of those things that happens," he said.
www.currentargus.com/ci_4139060
By Kyle Marksteiner
August 4, 2006
CARLSBAD — While the construction of the National Cave and Karst Institute facility is on hold, again, other aspects of the institute are continuing, said Ron Kerbo, interim director of the program. "I wouldn't say that it is on hold," Kerbo said. "Some of the larger projects are on hold, but among other things, we do have a slate of candidates for the director." Once a new full-time director is selected, that individual will be an employee of New Mexico Tech and work in Carlsbad. NPS will continue to have oversight of the program.
This week, the institution renewed its agreement on its temporary location in Carlsbad. The small staff currently operates out of two rooms at the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Training Center, which belongs to the Carlsbad Department of Development. The current staff in Carlsbad consists of a handful of paid researchers and volunteers. "We are, right now, working on a budget and looking at money for New Mexico Tech to continue to support the search for director, as well as for creating new positions," Kerbo said. The program is also, Kerbo noted, moving forward with implementing a masters program related to caves at Western Kentucky University.
"We're also moving ahead with our karst map project," Kerbo said. "We will have an exhibit up at the upcoming national speleological convention."
Locally, the institute has continued with a lecture series first implemented by National Cave and Karst Research Institute director Louise Hose.
"But the biggest news right now is that we do have that roster (of potential directors)," Kerbo said. "Hopefully, within a couple months we'll have a new director. We see that as a positive step, but we would like to see building progress."
Kerbo was the cave resource specialist at Carlsbad Caverns National Park from 1976 to 1991. He currently serves as the National Cave and Karst Program Director, while acting as interim director of the institute in Carlsbad. While he indicated some frustration with the delays in construction of the building, he seemed less frustrated than other individuals involved.
"It's just one of those things that happens," he said.
www.currentargus.com/ci_4139060