|
The
Cave Research Foundation
|
CRF's Mission
The Cave Research Foundation is a private, non-profit
organization dedicated to:
- facilitating research, management and interpretation of
caves and karst resources
- forming partnerships to study, protect and preserve cave
resources and karst areas
- promoting the long term conservation of caves and karst
ecosystems
CRF Publications
The quarterly CRF
Newsletter
documents current activities in all operations area. It is
distributed, either in print or electronically, to over 700 CRF
members, government agencies, and other interested parties. PDF
versions of the current CRF
Newsletter
can be downloaded from these links: high resolution or low resolution.
The Foundation's
Annual Reports provide
overviews of the Foundation's activities and feature article resulting
from research done by some of the recipients of CRF's Graduate Research
Grant Program. Click to download PDF versions of the 2004-05, 2006-07,
2008-09, 2010-11, 2012-13, 2014-15, 2016-17, 2018-19 or 2020 CRF Annual
Report. Earlier Annual Reports (starting in 1966) can be
downloaded here.
The 2021 Annual Report is still in progress and will be
posted as soon as it is completed.
Graduate Research Grants
CRF accepts proposals for graduate student research
in cave and karst studies leading to either a master's or doctoral
degree. Proposals may be in any field of the earth, natural, or social
sciences as long as the research addresses topics related to caves or
karst. Click here for
information about CRF's Graduate Research Grant Program.
The Cave
Research Foundation Position on WNS
The Cave Research Foundation has been a supporter of the need
for and implementation of efforts by federal, state, and local agencies
to slow the spread of White Nose Syndrome (WNS), the fungus that is
killing many hibernating bats. CRF will continue to work with
said agencies
to accomplish that end until the spread reaches its natural conclusion.
More information about WNS information is available on the National
Speleological Society's Web site here.
CRF remains committed to supporting the agencies as they
endeavor to protect species survivors to ensure a species is not lost
forever. The Foundation, in cooperation with the U.S. Forest
Service, has produced a 20-minute video documenting the approved
procedure for decontaminating clothing and gear used in caves in
WNS-positive area. The video can be viewed on YouTube here.
Cave Books
CRF's Publishing Affiliate is Cave Books. For a list of
reviews and books published by Cave Books visit http://www.cavebooks.com/
CRF's Hamilton
Valley Research Facility
CRF's
Hamilton Valley
Facility, located just outside of Mammoth Cave National Park in south
central Kentucky, is now open for CRF use and for those
individuals/organizations involved in relevant karst or cave research,
conservation and education. Click here for information on
availability and use of Hamilton Valley.
The main Hamilton Valley building has a fully equipped kitchen,
including cooking equipment and tableware. The great hall is quite
large. There are also two restrooms, each with two showers. There are
two bunk houses next to the main building, each with five rooms,
four bunks each. Total sleeping capacity is 40. All the buildings are
heated and air-conditioned.
CRF's Educational Outreach Program
The Foundation has a program to provide educational outreach to
encourage awareness of cave science, conservation, and caving safety to
school-age children. The primary vehicle for implementing these
goals is through the CaveSim Project, which uses an amazingly
realistic simulated cave constructed in a trailer to allow kids to
learn about caves by having a immersive experience rather than just a
classroom lecture. The CaveSim trailers travel to schools and other
events throughout the counry. More information about CaveSim is
available at https://www.cavesim.com. (The photo shows a young caver emerging from CaveSim's simulated cave).
Caving Techniques
and Technology Web Site
Much of CRF's work involves surveying caves and producing accurate
cave maps. These maps, along with inventory information gathered
during the mapping process, allow cave owners and managers to know the
nature and extent of their caves and what geological,
biological, and historical resources they contain. This
information
is crucial to managing and protecting the fragile underground world.
Cave surveying, and caving in general, is undergoing a
technological revolution. CRF member Derek Bristol has created
has created a Web site with information and instructional videos for
several aspects of caving, including cave surveying and mapping,
vertical caving techniques, and cave photography. His Web site is
www.derekbristol.com
and is well worth checking out.
CRF Contacts and
Donations
For general questions about the Foundation and its activities click here to send a message
to the CRF President, Dr. Kayla Sapkota.
Donations to support the Foundation's activities are welcome. CRF
is a 501(c)(3) corporation incorporated in Kentucky. All
donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.
Donations can be made by check, credit card, or from a PayPal
account. Checks should be sent to the Treasurer at the address
below. Credit card and PayPal payments can be made on PayPal's
secure Web
site. Click here
for more information.
The CRF Treasurer can be reached at the following address:
Bob Hoke, CRF
Treasurer
6304 Kaybro St
Laurel, MD 20707
phone 301-725-5877
Contact the CRF Treasurer
Problems or suggestions for this site? Email the Webmaster at webmaster@cave-research.org
This page last
updated or verified on September 11, 2024