August for SPG began with another very productive and satisfying weekend in Meramec State Park performing restoration on Fisher Cave on the 4^th and 5^th of the month.  Jon Beard, Kasi Johnson and Gabe Rodgers of SPG plus Paul, Angie, Paul the 3^rd and Emile Hummel, Ed Kriska and daughter Kathy and grandson Aaron, plus Jim Rosenkoetter, Scott Steiner and Matt Tenny from the east side of the Ozarks participated.  The group cleaned flowstone and photo-catalogued more than 100 pieces of vandalized stalagmites that had been previously cleaned.  After a supper break, some of the group returned to the cave for a photo trip to the Crystal and Hugh Dill Rooms.

 

On the 11^th, Jon Beard, Evan Christiansen, Roy Gold, Kasi Johnson, Gabe Rodgers, Jack Rosenkoetter and Charley Young visited Fourteen Forty Cave in Wright County.  Cave gate lock maintenance work was the official objective of the trip, but then the group changed to bio survey mode and photography mode in visiting most of the rest of the cave.  The group counted 34 adult cave salamanders, one dark-sided salamander just in the first 600 feet of the cave.  The next 600 feet of cave, the Hall of Watercrawls, contained at least 5 adult grotto salamanders.  Past this, the group visited a speleothem area where Charley did some nice photography.

 

On the 12^th, Bob Taylor was assisted by Roy Gold and Charley Young while Jon Beard was assisted by Kevin Helton in the mapping of Almon Cave in Hickory County, just the second cave to have been known to be mapped in the county.  While Bob and Jon sketched, Roy and Charley photographed the cave and Kevin removed a half bag of mostly old trash and recent graffiti.  The cave is a former gray bat habitat of an estimated 20,000+ bats, judging by several large areas of ceiling stains.

 

August 18^th—SPG began the survey of Math Branch Cave in Christian County.  Jon Beard, Kasi Johnson and Gabe Rodgers participated, mapping about 300 feet of an estimated 1,000 feet.  They counted 28 adult grotto salamanders and several photos were taken.

 

On the weekend of August 25^th and 26^th, Jon Beard, Bonnie Curnock, Eric and Charity Hertzler continued the restoration project in Tumbling Creek Cave of Taney County.  The vandalism was done several decades ago before the cave could be protected.  The reattachment of three stalagmites was completed, and the group also did some floor restoration and graffiti removal.