2009 Missouri NSS-CDS Workshop

[ed pavey]

I just confirmed with the Biologist from the state and he is excited about the buzzz for dry caves and sumps...

Everything is coming together and looks like it is going to be a great workshop...

Don't forget to be at this years events,,

Tennessee Caves, Water Sampling workshop on Sunday, Biologist from Missouri Dept of Conservation, Gene Milton, State of the NSS-CDS, Cave Divers and the National Senic Riverway, Prizes and more.....

Guest House Inn/Perkins Restraunt Sept 18, 19 20

Social Friday night, Workshop Saturday starting at 8am sign in, Sunday Water Testing Workshop....

[skip]

As part of the Water Quality Testing Workshop (we will sample and test on-site water from inside cannonball) there will also be a Bio Team Training Session. You may do one or both for free. Bio Teams count cave critters (how many of which species).

The Bio Team Training consists of a 30-minute talk on How-To. And then a dive to do the counts (cannonball). A De-briefing follows the dive (on what to do with the data you collected).

The water quality testing workshop and the bio team training are offered free by the NACD for members and nonmembers.

Completing the water quality testing workshop will allow the "graduate" to check out the test kit and conduct water quality tests whenever and whereever he/she chooses. The NACD maintains the kit and it is returned to the NACD along with test results, when finished. This is totally free to anyone who has completed the training workshop, whether a member or not or even whether a diver or not (high school students have used the kit). All the NACD asks is that the test results be shared with the NACD.

Completing the bio team training will result in a completion certificate and your name added to the NACD's Bio Team. Members of the NACD and/or the NSS/CDS will be given all the equipment to conduct the data collection free of charge for the first 80 or so cave dives (well, you know the basic u/w paper, pen, etc., not the gas fills or backplate/tanks). Nonmembers who complete the training may purchase the bio team kit for $20.00 (which is still less than the total cost to NACD).

Nonmembers refers to those who are not a member of ANY cave organization. It's doubtful that someone is who not a member of any cave organization would even show up at this meeting, but if it happens, the training is free and if such a person wants to keep the u/w paper (spiral bound, 83 pages), brass clip, and graphite pencil on bungee, then it's 20 bucks. Return them after the training and there is no charge. Members (of ANY cave organization) keep it all for free in order to encourage independent data collection after training.

When you cave dive, why not contribute to Science and Conservation too? It will keep you on your toes in the cave and you will probably gain a whole new perception of cave diving! Even see things you never saw or noticed before!

See you in Sept in Missouri!

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[Kelly Jessop]

Social Friday night, ...

Ed
Where and when?

Thanks for all your hard work
Kelly
PS You have a PM

[ed pavey]

Social is Friday night 6 o'clock at Perkins restruant. Byob

the question of how many in a room for the special at guest house inn is that as many as you want in the room but only one workshop pass.

[skip]

I would like to know if there's any interest in the Water Quality Training Workshop and/or the Bio Team Training Workshop. These are two different workshops. Please pm me if you plan to participate in either one (and let me know which one). I'll be sure to bring enough equipment for all who RSVP (and a bit more just in case). The workshops will be Sunday (sept 20) at Cannonball and require a cave dive that day. Again, both workshops are free.

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[ed pavey]

Skip I will love to learn more about the testing process...

[deepdiverbob]

I heard a rumor today that only 1 NSS-CDS board member will be there. I have to say, that is a little disappointing, if true.

[Kelly Jessop]

I heard a rumor today that only 1 NSS-CDS board member will be there. I have to say, that is a little disappointing, if true.

Last year there were only two board members there,and I thought the quality of the seminar,speakers,and diving was outstanding. Maybe there is an inverse relationship with the number of board members present I have conducted socials,and events where there wasn't any board members present,and things have been successful,and a good time was had. I'll look forward to seeing everybody.

[skip]

Ed, The testing process on water quality is pretty straight forward. I'll put your name on the list! If you meant you'd like to know more about it here before deciding whether to attend, well let me see.

The EPA has Nine tests that constitute the Water Quality Index (WQI), which is a single number representing water quality (1-100). The workshop shows how to collect water samples, how to conduct the tests, and how to calculate the WQI (look up tables). All this is done on-site and all the needed equipment and supplies is contained in one pelican case suitable for hauling right to the edge of the water.

Additionally, the test kit includes identification manuals for flora and fauna in the local area, both in the water and the surrounding land. A description of the area is a nice addition to the tests in terms of long-term monitoring. A more specific version of the in-water fauna (cave critters) entails the Bio Team Training. This is how to conduct species counts inside caves (thanks to kelly jessop). Again, all equipment and supplies are provided (The Bio Team Training Kit).

The training is free to all. And once trained, you can "check out" the water test kit for up to two weeks at a time and test any water you want. The NACD maintains the kit, resupplies it, and provides it to all who ask (and have been trained in its use). This is free, no charge to anyone. Well, there may be some issues with shipping since there are two kits and neither one is in MO! For a mere $950.00 (at cost, no markup), we can build a kit for MO, and probably convince the NACD to maintain it in terms of re-supply (for this they get a copy of the results to post on their web page).

I do ask that those in the Bio Team Training (to count cave animals) AND who want to keep the Bio Team Training Kit, AND who are not members of any cave organization to pay 20 bucks if they want to keep the kit after training. The Kit includes, but is not limited to: 80 page spiral book of u/w paper, graphite pencil on bungee, brass clip, etc. Members of the NSS/CDS, NACD, BCDG, etc. can keep the Kit at no charge.

Everyone gets a Certificate of Completion suitable for framing!

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[skip]

I heard a rumor today that only 1 NSS-CDS board member will be there. I have to say, that is a little disappointing, if true.

I know of only one who plans to attend, Forrest. But I don't see it as disappointing. It's a long way from Florida, everyone has a day job. It's difficult for even me, here in TN, to get up there for the weekend. Work all day Friday, drive that night, attend on sat, a workshop on sunday, drive home sunday night, work monday. It's even tougher from further away. add a good rain and you don't even get to cave dive!

I'm trying to get off work friday to drive up thursday, but that remains to be seen. Days off work these days is not as easy as it used to be.

-skip