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. A core of 30 very active cavers provided most of the data, and, so far, data have been gathered for 504 out of a possible 543 underground features. This round of data collection is coming to an end. However, if you are planning a trip to Knock Fell Caverns, Crackpot Cave or Short Drop-Gavel, we would like to hear from you soon!

Please continue to fill in the forms and submit them, it is never too early to start collecting the next set of data.

Surface Conservation Works 10/11

The budget for this year will be in the region of £8000.

 If your group need grant aid for surface works you will find an application form in the documents section.  Just give it a go!

Recent work in the last 6 months has included the improvement of stiles, walls and fencing in the Diccan and Lower Long Churn areas, walling and fencing near Yordas Pot, rubbish collection in Yordas Cave, and landscaping work around the new Whitewell Pot entrance. Special thanks to volunteers from Huddersfield University, Bradford Pothole Club and the Northern Boggarts. Details of this work can be found in the documents section.  Please note that access to Whitewell Pot is now administered via the CNCC Permits system.

 

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 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.