The Reason for this Guide
The residents of karst areas need to be aware of how day-to-day
activities affect the groundwater and fragile ecosystems in their karst
regions. The Cave Conservancy of the Virginias recognized the need
for information about karst resources and produced this guide. The
Cave Conservancy, established in 1980, has been chartered to protect
karst in Virginia and West Virginia. The Cave Conservancy has dedicated
its efforts towards the conservation of the over 5,000 wild caves found
in the Virginias. The Cave Conservancy has directed conservation
work toward the protection of all cave rewources, including habitats
for endangered species, cave watersheds and springs, and important
recreational caves. Education of the public about caves and cave
resources is a primary goal of the Cave Conservancy. This guide
is foreseen to play a major role in assisting landowners to become
more aware of the significance of living in a karst environment.
This guide will be helpful to homeowners, farmers, cave
entrance owners, business people, and anyone who lives, works, or plays
in karst areas. Additionally, the guide will be useful to educators,
developers, park managers, watershed and conservation groups. Karst
is an important resource in your state. Not only does karst contain
beautiful features such as fragile cave formations, it also may hold
the key to the health of an entire town or city by its links to drinking
water. The Cave Conservancy board and staff hope that a greater
understanding of karst resources will come by reviewing this guide.
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