The MAKC board of directors just approved an extremely crappy project that involves our Team Sarah! We have a temporary reservation for a used porta-john that would become permanently ours. It needs a little work. We are hoping to have it hauled to the MAKC headquarters this week for a quick repair job to the […]
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Last Revision 2/14/2022 Introduction The Mid-Atlantic Karst Conservancy (MAKC) is a non-profit organization incorporated in the state of Pennsylvania. The MAKC’s purpose is to promote the study, conservation, and preservation of caves and karst resources and the education of the public about those resources. In the winter of 2022, MAKC purchased a .74-acre parcel of […]
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MAKC Treasurer Johnny Motto, Board member Walt Hamm, and Preserve Manager Rick Smith took part in the closing for McClure Cave on Monday, January 31, 2022. Dori McKnight hands over the key to the gate to Johnny Motto following the signing of papers. Thanks to all who helped support this acquisition!
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At the November 2021 quarterly board meeting of MAKC, Curt Harler of Cleveland Grotto was elected to the board to fill the vacancy created by outgoing chairman Kim Metzgar. After being re-elected to a three-year term, Ryan Maurer was elected chairman and Hope Brooks will fill the shoes of long-time vice chairman Phil Gowaty, who […]
Continue ReadingMcClure Cave Preserve Manager
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Board Member, NSS 22735 CL (FE) Curt Harler, a long time member of the Cleveland Grotto and a former executive vice president of the National Speleological Society, was elected to a three-year term on the MAKC Board of Directors in 2021. Curt is a life member and conservation life member of the NSS, fellow, frequent […]
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The total now raised for McClure Cave is $15782. Total project cost: $18,000. Total to go: $2218. Bob Addis Bert Ashbrook Baltimore Grotto George and Karen Bange Cindy Barton Dr. Hazel Barton Don Beach Andrew, Gabrielle and Amelia Benner Blue Ridge Grotto Barbara Bramley Hope Brooks Brother Muckers Joe Brown Charles Chapman Kerry Clancy-Burns Cleveland […]
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On Saturday, June 5, 2021, MAKC Treasurer Johnny Motto and member Rick Smith met with the owner of McClure Cave, Dori McKnight, who lives in a house right next to the cave parcel, and they signed an agreement of sale for the MAKC to purchase this Snyder County Cave. The cave is listed at https://caves.org/conservancy/pcc/Files/PA_Long_Caves_2012-12-01.pdf […]
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A few photos from Snyder County’s McClure Cave, whicih the MAKC has an agreement of sale to purchase. This horizontal, gated cave has seen some abuse and had some issues. However, it should be popular for years to come and is a mere 15 minutes from our Penn Aqua Preserve in Mifflin County.
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On Saturday, June 26, 2021, more than 60 MAKC members and friends from Pittsburgh and other local caving clubs, gathered for an official dedication of our Barbara Schomer Preserve in Clarion County, Pennsylvania. In just the few short years since we have owned the property, survey teams led by Bert Ashbrook and Chris Hill have […]
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Volunteers have helped us install a secure and safe driveway, clear brush away from the cave entrance, install a gate to the driveway and are helping us manage the cave. We are all volunteers. Please keep in mind that previously cavers parked along the road and went along a trail to the cave that is […]
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PENN AQUA CAVE MANAGEMENT PLAN INTRODUCTION The Mid-Atlantic Karst Conservancy (MAKC), a non-profit organization incorporated in the state of Pennsylvania purchased two acres of property containing the entrance to Penn Aqua Cave in Decatur Township, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania in the fall of 2020. HISTORY The entrance to Penn Aqua Cave is a spring mouth at […]
Continue Readinghttps://www.karst.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Adobe_Spark_Video.mp4 Support our cave conservation efforts with a donation. Your contribution supports our current cave acquisition fund and property management expenses. We are an all-volunteer organization. There is no “overhead” except for speleothems attached to the cave ceiling.
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MAKC member Karen Bange took the photographs of George Bange and Johnny Motto after MAKC took possession of Penn Aqua Cave in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania on Monday, December 14, 2020. Penn Aqua is NOT a beginner cave—wetsuits required—but it is a popular and fun cave for not only central Pennsylvania caves but for cavers throughout […]
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Hall Cave Spot Sponsors (all cave spots taken) 1 Doug Dean 2. Rock-n-Rescue 3. Walt Hamm 4. The Robertson Association 5. Bob and Bev Danielson 6. Buford Pruitt, Jr. 7. George and Karen Bange 8. The Loyalhanna Grotto 9. Kate Nestor 10. Sam Slee 11. Pennsylvania Cave Conservancy 12. Nancy Finney 13. Chuck Acklin, in […]
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These supporters have made the acquisition of this preserve possible. Our fundraising goal is $38,000, which includes the acquisition of two acres of land as well as acquisition expenses. We are striving to keep this list up-to-date as donations come in. Please be patient if your name does not yet appear, especially if you donated […]
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