Sensitive Cave Protection
In 2007, the Canadian Cave Conservancy funded the fabrication of
an improved entrance gate for a Chilliwack River Valley cave in a high-use
area to replace a 1994 gate that had been destroyed by vandalism.
(Fortunately, an inner gate was not breached, and the cave's extensive
speleothems remained undamaged.)
Signing project
With an expectation that much of the non-industrial damage of caves
and karst results from a lack of information, the Canadian Cave Conservancy
has been funding installation of signage at popular cave sites around
Vancouver Island. This effort is continuing.
Caver Visitation Estimates
While the caving community may have some informal estimates of use of
caves by members, there are many casual visitors whose activity is largely
unknown. As well, evidence of cave visitation and traffic would provide
data with which to lobby for management action by relevant management
agencies. A pilot project using specially designed electronic "caver
counters" is underway in select caves on Vancouver Island and south-west
British Columbia.
Photomonitoring System
A fundamental tool for cave management is the photodocumentation of
ave features and cave processes. This could include tracking of effects
of cave visitation on speleothems or sedimentary deposits, or in a research
setting follow cave passage evolution through infilling or collapse. A simple
and compact photomonitoring "kit" is being developed and tested with an
objective of establishing photomonitoring networks in a number of caves.
The kit would be readily available for both caver volunteers and for lease
by cavers working under contract to management agencies.
Vancouver Island Cave Park Planning & Vancouver Island Cave/Karst Strategy
Between 2003 and 2006, with support from the BC Ministry of Water
Land & Air Protection (currently Ministry of Environment) and access to
the Ministry of Forests and Range cave inventory database, the Canadian
Cave Conservancy completed detailed management planning documents for
four cave/karst Provincial Parks on Vancouver Island, as well as a
comprehensive Vancouver Island Cave/Karst Strategy incorporating
management recommendations for all known Island caves and karst.
Review of Commercial Cave Guiding Practice
One of the few uses of caves which generate revenue is the
operation of cave tours. This could range from full-scale developments
with walk-ways and electric lighting to the more commonly practiced
in Canada, at least) wild-cave tours. Responding to a need for a review
and for cave guiding standards, Mark Hassel produced an excellent set
of recommendations on cave guiding standards in March 2003. These
standards have since been referenced by Alberta and British Columbia
government agencies when authorizing commercial cave guiding in
provincial jurisdictions. A PDF is available here:
Redemption Cave Baseline
With support from Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC), a base-line biological
survey and photomonitoring network was established in a newly discovered alpine
cave in south-central British Columbia. A report on the results were forwarded
to MEC, and the project leader Kirk Safford prepared a series of
web pages describing the project.
Dangerous Dick and The Duckbusters
Since bursting onto the underground music scene in fall 2003,
Dangerous Dick and the Duckbusters have produced
two very well-received CD recordings. Proceeds from the sales of these
CDs have been instrumental in allowing funding for important Conservancy
projects and have created a world-wide profile for both the Conservancy and the band!
Expert Advice
Members of the conservancy are experts in areas relating to local cave
and karst management, and are often called on for advice. When this evolves
into a formal contract with a funding agency, a portion of the proceeds are
routed to support and promote projects by the conservancy.
Donations
The Canadian Cave Conservancy is a fully registered charitable organization
under Canadian tax laws, and any donations are tax-deductable. Contact the CCC at
canadiancaveconservancy@shaw.ca for info.
We are in a position to consider modest funding requests for cave and
karst conservation in Canada. Ideally, these requests would be multi-partner
funding opportunities where conservancy funding would provide a "seed" for
approaching other potential funders. For more information, send an email to
the Canadian Cave Conservancy
