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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MAKC response to COVID-19: The MAKC recognizes the issues regarding COVID-19 and any impacts it may have on caves, caving, cavers, and bats. Masks, gloves, social distancing, and CDC, state, county, and local guidelines are encouraged as much as possible. Any travel restrictions are to be followed, as are the desires of landowners. Where caving […]
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Email teamsarah@karst.org for details.
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The Management Plan for this preserve was adopted by the MAKC Board on November 16, 2019. After reading this plan carefully, cavers interested in visiting the preserve should fill out the free permit available at this link. INTRODUCTION The Mid-Atlantic Karst Conservancy (MAKC), a non-profit organization incorporated in the state of Pennsylvania completed the purchase […]
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Persons wishing to visit the Barbara Schomer Preserve of the MAKC and Sarah Furnace Cave, should submit the following permit application.
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Shortly after her passing in 2011, the MAKC received a substantial gift from the estate of Barbara Schomer, which was restricted to our cave acquisition fund. We have looked at at least a half dozen cave projects in that time; however, none have come to fruition. Finally, with the option on Sarah Furnace Cave, MAKC […]
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Sarah Furnace Cave By Kim Metzgar The MAKC has been interested in purchasing Sarah Furnace Cave in northwestern Pennsylvania’s Clarion County since 2006 when we learned that the property had changed hands. The cave had been owned by Mary Landi of Clarion, who at one time permitted caving, with permission obtained by cavers through her […]
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These supporters have made the acquisition of this preserve possible. We are striving to keep this list up-to-date as donations come in. Please be patient if your names does not yet appear. We truly appreciate all of the support from our donors. We are fully funded, but will continue to accept donations to our acquisition […]
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March 3 NSS Fellow and Life Member Barbara Schomer died November 2, 2011 after a year long battle with cancer. Barbara started caving in the early 1970s with Norm Snyder and the American Youth Hostel chapter in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Norm led hard, bare bones, beginner trips and was surprised when Barbara kept coming back. Her […]
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