Virginia Cave Board

CAVE BOARD STATEMENT ON WHITE NOSE IN BAT POPULATIONS

The Virginia Cave Board supports the scientific studies being undertaken to determine the cause of "white nose" in bat populations.

The Cave Board endorses the on-going policy of seasonal closure of caves where large numbers and/or legally protected species of bats are hibernating or have summer maternity or bachelor colonies, as identified by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

The Virginia Cave Board encourages cavers to follow gear disinfecting protocols between cave trips.

The Cave Board asks that cavers, in the normal course of caving, report any bat mortality, anomalous behaviour, unusual appearance, or high bat concentrations to Rick Reynolds at the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (Rick.Reynolds@dgif.virginia.gov, 540-248-9386).

You are invited to attend general meetings of the Board, held at various locations in Virginia at least three times a year. You can also contact the Board by writing or calling:

Virginia Cave Board
Virginia Division of Natural Heritage
Department of Conservation and Recreation
217 Governor Street, 3rd Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
phone: (804) 786-7951
fax: (804) 371-2674

Next Meeting: June 14, 2008
Location: Crystal Caverns, Strasburg, Virginia

Virginia is rich in cave and karstland resources with over 4000 known caves. The Virginia Cave Board was established to conserve and protect caves and karstlands of the Commonwealth and advocate the wise use of these resources.

VCB members serve Virginia by advising private individuals, organizations and public agencies on cave and karst related matters, providing cave management expertise, preparing and presenting educational material, identifying significant caves, and recommending conservation and preservation measures for cave resources within the Commonwealth.