Each fall the MAKC assists the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in closing three of the gated caves on the State Forest Land. These are Barton Cave, Coon Cave and Lemon Hole. The caves were gated to protect hibernating bats and the DCNR allows visitation during the times when the bats are not hibernating. This is generally from Memorial Day weekend through the end of September. MAKC helps the DCNR close the caves, monitors the caves during the times when they are open, and helps with any other management issues that we are able to, such as conducting cleanups. MAKC members discovered a huge sinkhole above the cave that caused debris to wash into the Pittsburgh Passage.
