The Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc.
Welcome to the SCCi web page! The Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc. (SCCi) is a tax-exempt not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to cave acquisition, conservation, and management. The SCCi currently owns or leases 27 preserves, 63 caves, on 1,216 acres of land in six southeastern states. We are interested in caves anywhere in the southeastern US that need protection or management for conservation or access reasons. The SCCi is particularly interested in caves that are threatened with closure or destruction or those which provide a habitat for endangered species such as the Gray Bat, Tennessee Cave Salamander, or Hart's Tongue Fern. Our mission is to preserve caves and cave environments and to manage them responsibly.
SCCi Board
Votes to Reopen Tennessee and Kentucky Caves
On May 22nd, 2009 the SCCi Board voted to reopen the following
Tennessee caves: Gourdneck Cave, Sinking Cove Cave(s), South Pittsburg, Snail Shell Cave, and Swirl Canyon Cave.
Logsdon Cave in Kentucky was also reopened. Please refer to the management plan
for each cave for access guidelines. The following caves in Tennessee and Kentucky will remain closed: Hardins / Junkyard Cave, Holly Creek Cave,
Rattling Pit, Wolf River Cave, and Frenchman Knob Cave.
Letter from SCCi Chair Brian Krebs to Members About WNS
Read the letter from SCCi Chair Brian Krebs sharing some important information with you about the SCCi’s response to white-nose syndrome (WNS), and asking for your continued support.
Join us for the SCCi Annual Membership Meeting and Board Meeting
The 2009 Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Cave Conservancy Inc. will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2009, at the Steward Springs Cave Preserve located in Ft. Payne, Alabama. The meeting will begin at 4 p.m. (Central Time). Prior to the meeting, the Board will hold its quarterly business meeting beginning at 11 a.m. A major part of the Membership Meeting that starts at 11:00 will be
an open discussion on White Nose Syndrome and
the SCCi’s response.This meeting will be at the Wells Valley Recreation Center 4220 Godfrey Ave NE. A cookout will follow the meeting. For more information and driving directions, please see the meeting announcement.
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SCCi Acts to Protect Bats (April 16, 2009)
The Southeastern Cave Conservancy Inc, (SCCi) has taken precautionary action to help protect bats from White Nose Syndrome (WNS) by temporarily closing several SCCi caves. We are working closely with specialists at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other partner organizations to make sure we are aware of all current WNS information and to respond appropriately. We will reopen our caves as soon as the Board determines that it is safe to do so.
Read more... |
Little brown bats with typical symptoms of
White Nose Syndrome
Credit: Nancy Heaslip, New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation |
The SCCi Acquires Fern Cave Preserve
On October 10, 2008, SCCi Chairman Brian Krebs announced that the Conservancy has signed a contract to purchase 80 acres in Jackson County, Alabama overlying a large portion of Fern Cave and including the Fern Sink Entrance and Surprise Pit. The preserve is a privately owned tract adjoining the federally-owned Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge . Read more...
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Fern Sink entrance to Fern Cave,
the SCCi's newest acquisition |
White Nose Syndrome Advisory
In light of the emerging situation known as White Nose Syndrome affecting bats in a number of northeastern caves, the SCCi requests that all visitors to SCCi caves and preserves please thoroughly clean and inspect their clothing and caving equipment before and after visiting SCCi caves and preserves. While the causes, effects, and transmission mechanisms of the White Nose Syndrome are presently unknown, the estimated 95% mortality rate among affected bats mandates serious consideration and deep concern. Cavers should take all reasonable and necessary precautions to avoid carrying mud, water, or other substances from one cave to another.
Here are some links about WNS and how to disinfect your caving gear:
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