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Cave Chat board to discuss with other cavers

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Decon Basics

PLEASE CLEAN AND DISINFECT YOUR CAVE GEAR!
Caving Clothes and gear used within WNS-affected regions should not be taken outside of that region. Local agencies can implement their own regional protocols, please see the USFWS decontamination page for guidance: USFWS Decontamination Protocols

National WNS Decontamination Protocol

NSS 2016 Convention Group Decontamination Stations

Canadian National White-Nose Syndrome Protocol, June 2015 (YouTube video)

Tips and Tricks for Decontamination, 2016 Powerpoint Presentation   PDF Version

Effects of Pathogen Decontamination on the Strength of Climbing Rope and Harness Equipment
A new US Forest Service study shows that present decon procedures cause minimal effects on the strength of ropes and harnesses.

How to Volunteer

Contact one of your local agencies and ask if you can help survey for bats.

Who to contact if you see bats:

Contact your local Fish and Wildlife agency. Do not handle live bats!

Report Sick or Dead Bats In Washington http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/health/wns/reporting.html

Report Sick or Dead Bats in Oregon http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/health_program/WNS/reporting.asp

Report WNS suspicious bats in California: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Laboratories/Wildlife-Investigations/Monitoring/WNS/Report

Report Bats in Idaho
https://idfg.idaho.gov/species/observations/add#speciesid-392

Report a bat in Montana: http://nrmg.org/bat-observation/

Climbers for Bat Conservation
http://www.inaturalist.org/projects/climbers-for-bat-conservation

Canada Bat Caver
http://www.batcaver.org/

Report Bat colonies in Maine
http://www.maine.gov/ifw/wildlife/species/mammals/report-bat-colony.html

Report bats everywhere else

Contact your local wildlife agency
https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/partners-by-type/119

How to Restore WNS-depleted Bat Populations

An excellent tutorial blog by Merlin Tuttle
http://www.merlintuttle.com/resources/restore-wns-depleted-bat-populations/

Helpful Grotto pages:

• Huntsville Grotto Policy Regarding WNS data ...
• Southport Chronic Cavers Grotto - Home
• WNS Decontamination Quick Reference - Colorado Grotto
• Northern Rocky Mountain Grotto | Montana's only caving ...
  

Cave Closures

Current list of cave closures

Cave closures 2011 and earlier maintained by DC Grotto

How to visit a cave on public land during cave closures

If you don't already have a relationship, contact the agency and offer to monitor the caves. NSS cavers have the expertise to provide agencies much needed management information on current (and past) status of the geology, biological activity, and human impacts to caves and the areas around them. The NSS has MOUs and local groups are encouraged to develop their own agreements under the larger umbrella agreements. Sometimes local agencies are not aware of the nationwide MOUs and need to be put into contact with other agency personnel, contact the NSS WNS Liaison or the NSS Government Liaison if you need assistance.

[Note: The MOU links below require login as NSS Member]

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) NSS-USFWS Memorandum of Agreement
Mission: To work with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

US Forest Service (USFS) NSS-USFS Memorandum of Agreement
Mission: To sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.

National Park Service NSS-NPS Memorandum of Agreement
The NSS works with the NPS on science and management in many of their caves.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) NSS-BLM Memorandum of Agreement
Mission: To sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) NSS-TNC Memorandum of Agreement
Mission: To conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.

Bat Conservation International NSS-BCI Memorandum of Agreement
The NSS works with BCI on bat and WNS issues. We know all about caves and the things in them, they know all about bats and the places they frequent.

State Wildlife agencies
Please tell us (send a quick email to WNSLiaison@caves.org) how you are working with them! I hear good things about cavers working with state biologists at the national WNS meetings, but I hear nothing from cavers...we need to start taking credit for the good things we do!

Organizations/Agencies affiliated with the NSS

Research Funding

Where to find funding for WNS and cave research

The National Speleological Foundation