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UID:pretalx-nss-convention-2026-LCHTEY@talks.caving.dev
DTSTART;TZID=EST:20260707T110000
DTEND;TZID=EST:20260707T112000
DESCRIPTION:A group of Virginia cavers associated with the Virginia Speleol
 ogical Survey (VSS) and the karst team of the Virginia Department of Conse
 rvation and Recreation Natural Heritage Program (VDCR-NHP) both have long-
 standing relationships with the staff of the George Washington and Jeffers
 on National Forest (GWJNF). For decades\, cavers have taken the lead on ca
 ve exploration efforts\, while for the last thirty years\, DCR Karst Progr
 am staff have led hydrological and biological investigations\, as well as 
 on the ground conservation projects such as the construction of cave gates
 \, with significant overlap in activities and personnel between the two gr
 oups. These relationships were strengthened in 2024 with the signing of th
 e Master Participating Agreement between the National Speleological Societ
 y and the United States Forest Service (USFS). Additionally\, in 2025\, a 
 Good Neighbor Agreement was signed between USFS and VDCR-NHP to support on
 going karst evaluations and cave exploration to inform management and cons
 ervation in the GWJNF.\n\nCaver involvement demonstrates the benefits of p
 roactive engagement for resource management and conservation. So far\, thi
 s collaboration has enabled above-ground karst evaluations of more than 10
 0 miles of linear traverse and the discovery of more than a dozen new cave
 s in the past decade. We have discovered new subterranean species\, paleon
 tological resources\, bat roosts\, and springs. The presentation will outl
 ine the benefits of cooperation among cavers\, state agencies\, and the US
 FS\, as well as steps cavers can take to reap the benefits of working with
  the USFS and other agencies in cave and karst exploration on public lands
 .
DTSTAMP:20260826T233027Z
LOCATION:205
SUMMARY:Cavers\, State Agencies \, and the United States Forest Service Wor
 king Together to Protect Caves and Karst in Virginia - 
URL:https://talks.caving.dev/nss-convention-2026/talk/LCHTEY/
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