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Talking stones: Cherokee Syllabary in Manitou Cave, AL
Presented by: Beau Carroll
February 4, 2021

Inside Manitou Cave in modern Alabama, nineteenth-century Cherokees carried out sacred ceremonies and recorded their activities on the cave walls using "The Cherokee Syllabary," a system invented in nearby Willstown by Cherokee scholar Sequoyah. Through collaboration between modern Cherokee scholars and Euro-American archaeologists, the authors report and interpret for the first time the inscriptions in Manitou Cave. These reveal evidence for secluded ceremonial activities at a time of crisis for the Cherokee. Pressures from the surrounding white populations disrupted the Cherokee ancient lifeways, culminating in their forcible relocation in the 1830s along the Trail of Tears. (53:51) Download a copy (308 MB)

Beau Carroll
is a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and is the Lead Archaeologist for the Tribal Historic Preservation Office. He is currently in his first year of a PhD in anthropology at the University of Tennessee - Knoxville. His research interest includes prehistoric art within dark zone caves with an emphasis on the Cherokee Syllabary.

Dark Waters, Strange Creatures
Amazing Life in Groundwater
Presented by: Benjamin Hutchins
January 20, 2021

Observant cavers may occasionally notice unusual animals swimming or crawling in underground streams and pools. But most aquatic cave animals go unnoticed and many are yet to be discovered. Many of these species have bizarre appearances and interesting adaptations. Furthermore, the stygian ecosystems that they inhabit function very differently than most surface habitats, and scientists still have much to learn about what’s going on in the dark waters of the underground. In this webinar, learn about subterranean aquatic organisms and ecosystems, global patterns of bio-diversity, how species are discovered and described, and how cavers can be part of the action.

Ben Hutchins is a caver and biologist from Kentucky who has lived in Texas for the last eleven years, caving and studying groundwater ecosystems. Ben received his PhD in Aquatic Resources from Texas State University after attending Western Kentucky University and American University in Washington DC. His academic interests focus on patterns of biodiversity and community structure in groundwater ecosystems, particularly in Texas. As a caver, Ben is interested in cave cartography and project caving nationally and abroad. (1:08:34) Download a copy (237 MB)

The Cave Protection Network:
Moving into the Future
Presented by: AVP Adam Weaver
January 14, 2021

The Cave Preservation Network (CPN) is a new program by the NSS that seeks to build stronger ties with the National Caves Association and show caves across the nation. This program is working to put NSS educational material in front of millions of cave visitors each year and spread more knowledge to the public about the importance of cave conservation and exploration. The program also has a strong component of supporting cave conservancies and preserves... but you have to come listen to hear more!

Adam Weaver is a project caver, focusing on many of the large projects in the western United States. An expedition leader in both Jewel and Wind Caves, with substantial work in Lechugilla and Ft. Stanton caves, among others. He is Administrative Vice President of the NSS, Vice-Chairman of the Paha Sapa Grotto, and Vice-President of the Black Hills Cave and Nature Conservancy. Professionally, he works as a GIS Analyst, with a M.S. from Colorado State University. (47:10) Download a copy (261 MB)

Non-Cave Subterranean Habitats
Presented by: Dr. David Culver
December 8, 2020

Eyeless de-pigmented organisms, organisms that look like cave dwellers, are found in a wide variety of other dark places, including deep soil, talus slopes, small wet spots in woods, stream beds, and wells. We will explore some of the most important of these habitats as well as the organisms that inhabit them. Research on non-cave subterranean fauna gives new insights into the evolution of eyeless de-pigmented organisms in caves as well as elsewhere.

Dave Culver began his caving and scientific career studying under Ken Christiansen at Grinnell College, a leading expert on Collembola, tiny wingless insects that are common in many caves. After finishing his Ph.D. under Tom Poulson at Yale University, way back in 1970, he has been studying cave life ever since. He has studied a variety of topics, including ecology, evolution, biogeography, and conservation, initially in West Virginia caves, and later in caves throughout the U.S. and Europe. He has a special fondness for Collembola and amphipods, but has grown to appreciate beetles, fish, and others.

The author of more than 100 papers and books on caves, including the second edition of Biology of Caves and Other Subterranean Habitats, co-authored with Tanja Pipan, and the third edition of Encyclopedia of Caves, co-edited with Will White and Tanja Pipan. He is an Honorary Life Member of the National Speleological Society. He is currently Professor Emeritus of Environmental Science at American University and Visiting Fellow at the Karst Research Institute in Postojna, Slovenia. (50:33) Download a copy (98 MB)

Getting Ahead of COVID-19
Presented by: Dr. Hazel Barton
December 2, 2020

With the imminent arrival of three vaccines against COVID-19, it may seem that life will soon return to normal. Yet we are in the midst of a second wave and vaccine production is likely to be slow, taking months to produce the millions of doses needed. This presentation describes what we know about the virus, how vaccines work with our immune system, and why it is critical that we don’t let lockdown fatigue create more infections at this critical time.

Hazel’s Ph.D. is in Medical Microbiology and Immunology. She is a professor of biology and geology and has been teaching medical microbiology for over 20 years at the undergraduate and graduate level. Hazel served for 6 years on the Public and Scientific Affairs Board for the American Society of Microbiology and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology. (1:49:17) Download a copy (183 MB)

Secrets of Silk Used by Spiders and Glowworms
Presented by: Dr. Dakota Piorkowski
November 20, 2020

Caves are unique environments for the animals that inhabit them as they present harsh conditions including low light, constant high humidity, and
low food availability. In order to survive and thrive, many animals have evolved fascinating adaptations, such as: elongated limbs, loss of eyesight and pigmentation, bio-luminescence and increased lifespan. Cave eco-systems, therefore, have provided biologists with “natural laboratories” in which they can study how life can respond to extreme environments. Scientists and engineers can also learn from these materials made in the “natural laboratories.”

Spiders and glowworms are predatory arthropods that construct sticky traps out of silk fibers to ensnare flying or falling insects. Unlike synthetic materials used for industrial purposes, these natural silk adhesives exploit the high humidity present in caves rather than being hindered by it. Additionally, the silk fibers used as structural support in cave spider webs increase in mechanical strength and extensibility, something not observed in non-subterranean species.
An improved understanding of the unique cave ecosystem can not only increase our knowledge of the incredible animals that live there, but also help solve real-world challenges of today. (1:33:07) Download a copy (260 MB)

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