Northern SSSI Cave Conservation Monitoring Scheme

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Northern SSSI Cave Conservation Monitoring Scheme

Newsflash

Warning

The rubbish blocking the entrance to Barbon Pot is being removed and is in a very unstable condition. Visits are not advised until the work is completed. A second phase of rubbish clearing is planned!

Thanks!

Sincere thanks to all cavers who have helped gather the cave monitoring data. 93% is now gathered - an excellent achievement.

Surface Conservation Works 10/11

see documents section.

A major restoration is underway at the entrance to Crescent Pot -Kingsdale. Please use care on the entrance series while this work continues. It does not effect access at this time - but it will be all the more pleasant for those who wait for the completion of works this spring.

Contact me if you have a project you would like to take on this year.

Andrew Hinde   CNCC conservation officer.

 

Welcome

dscn0004_smallThis site has been set up to facilitate communication between Natural England (formerly English Nature) and northern cavers on the administration of the Northern SSSI Cave Conservation Monitoring Scheme. This joint project will help Natural England fulfil it's statutory obligation to monitor the condition of SSSI cave systems. NE does not have the staff with underground experience to undertake this work so CNCC and NE are asking for the help of experienced cavers to assist in this monitoring work.

This website will also enable cavers to have access to the most up to date version of the Monitoring Forms and surveys that are available for cave sites within our geological (Cave) SSSIs. It is hoped that the site will further serve to publicise the Scheme and highlight the importance of maintaining up to date records on the condition of our scheduled caves and mines.

Here you can find:-

Cave surveys highlighting areas of particular interest in each cave from a scientific and conservation point of view.

Cave Monitoring Forms for cavers to complete to let us know of the condition of, and any changes to, the features highlighted on the surveys. (Whether good or bad.)

Some important points:

1. Recording and completion of forms must only be done as part of a normal caving trip.

2. Features of interest in cave SSSIs have been selected primarily for their scientific value and not necessarily their aesthetic appearance. Hence, a much-abused muddy stagmite on a tourist route may not look important but can still provide evidence of ancient climatic conditions and the timing of cave development. Similarly cave sediments, otherwise known as mud, provide a great deal of information to the scientist and should be treated with respect.

The scheme can only operate successfully with your help.