How important do you think cave conservation/preservation is?

[Kelly Jessop]

In your opinion,how important is the subject of cave conservation/preservation

[jxh2297]

Well in simple terms, no caves= no cave diving. Its important.

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[sskasser]

I think that can be a trick question.

I could say "I think cave conservation/preservation is extremely important" and be telling the truth. To someone who believes the only real way to conserve/protect is to close the caves completely, my statement would seem to agree with their stance and they'd count me among their numbers to close caves. They'd be wrong.

Unfortunately, I can't think of a way to quantify the possibilities. I get very sad when I see destruction and damage in a cave, either by divers, cavers, or by unknowing/uncaring folks on the surface. Yet, if all caves were closed, I'm pretty sure I would never have developed the passion I have for protecting them. It's a dilemma to me, for sure.

[MORGAN]

Cave conservation is of the utmost importance, provided that said conservation doesn't prevent me from diving them!

[MORGAN]

Now I see Shirley's post. She has this just right. In order for people to care about a natural asset and be interested in conserving it, they need to know about it and get some benefit from it. It has been illustrated many times here in the great north woods that allowing access to wild country develops a constituency of people who care about it and are willing to work to protect it. If access is just denied to everyone, the number of people who will care about conserving it (whether a cave or a wilderness area) drops off precipitously.

[Squirrel Girl]

Well in simple terms, no caves= no cave diving. Its important.

Conservation is rarely about the total destruction of caves. There's defacement, such as the loss of geothite, the breaking of stalactites, or the marring of pristine sediment. Then there's pollution from agricultural runoff. Those activities are very harmful to the cave environment and our enjoyment of the caves, but the caves still exist.

[a64pilot]

I think you have to define conservation / preservation. I define it as avoiding needless, reckless damage,
Even if you or your equipment touch nothing in the cave, your presence has an impact, even if your CCR.

[JamesK]

It's such a grey area that I think others here have touched on well.

[Benthic]

I think that can be a trick question.

I could say "I think cave conservation/preservation is extremely important" and be telling the truth. To someone who believes the only real way to conserve/protect is to close the caves completely, my statement would seem to agree with their stance and they'd count me among their numbers to close caves. They'd be wrong.

Unfortunately, I can't think of a way to quantify the possibilities. I get very sad when I see destruction and damage in a cave, either by divers, cavers, or by unknowing/uncaring folks on the surface. Yet, if all caves were closed, I'm pretty sure I would never have developed the passion I have for protecting them. It's a dilemma to me, for sure.

Perfectly worded Shirley. I very much agree.

Brian

[SuPrBuGmAn]

I agree with Shirley.



I think conservation and preservation also take priority over being polite on the internet.