Creating Community Awareness and Understanding of Caves and Karst
pictured with an exhibit of their work at the Springfield Nature Center, Springfield, MO.
Photo: Matt Bumgardner
Cave and Karst Conservation
SPG Engages Outreach Education in Many Forms
Cave and karst conservation is at the heart of SPG’s community outreach education programs. Because caves are time capsules of geological and biological history, cave conservation begins with protecting both geological and biological resources.
Caves are brimming with delicate, fragile ecosystems that must not be harmed by water pollution from the surface nor abuse from human visitors. Disrupting just one link in the cave’s food chain could disrupt the entire ecosystem. Some cave species are found in just one cave!
Karst conservation also means protecting the quality and quantity of the groundwater. Take too much from one place and wells go dry. Anything dumped on the ground will leach into the groundwater sooner or later. Want to drink polluted water? No? Want your family or neighbors to drink or bathe in polluted water? As it turns out, water quality is important for us, as well as the ecosystems within caves that depend on groundwater.
Public outreach education comes in many forms to reach people from many walks of life, from school children, college students and scouts to city dwellers and rural inhabitants. Examples of our cave conservation programs include:
- Presentations at schools, civic organizations, public venues, such as the Springfield Nature Center.
- Exhibit booths at Great Outdoor Days, Wonderful World of Wildlife weekend, fairs, nature conferences
- Guided educational cave tours – From April 1 to November 15, We give students opportunities to get muddy, but mostly we teach them about caves, caving safety and cave conservation.
- Distribution of printed materials, such as Caring for Your Karst
- Interpretive signs – SPG has helped author and construct interpretive signs in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and Ha Ha Tonka State Park.
Contact Us
If you are interested in having the Springfield Plateau conduct an educational presentation about caves and karst exploration, conservation or education or a guided cave tour for your civic organization, school class, scout troop or other group, contact us to discuss how we can help.