Being a caver is not just about exploration.
Cavers also have an obligation to the conservation of caves. While we normally bring trash bags to pick up occasional litter on our caving trips, certain caves are trashed so regularly that we must organize dedicated cleanup events.
Jennings Cave is an example of a cave that is often treated as a trash bin by those that are not educated on the significance of cave conservation. For this cleanup event, several members of our group geared up and rappelled into the pit with trash bags to collect litter, including a multitude of broken beer bottles.
Jennings Cave property is also subject to illegal dumping of materials, such as concrete, wood, appliances, and scrap metal. Fortunately, no large items were tossed into the cave this time. However, there were a lot of materials scattered on the ground surrounding the cave entrance.
Despite a little rain on March 6th, 2021, Natalie, Fletcher, Kat, and Bill were joined by the newest Florida Speleological Society (FSS) Members: Sean, Nicole, and the Ritter Family, to help clean up the beloved Jennings Cave property.
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Members of the FSS standing next to their trash haul. [Photo by Bill Birdsall]
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Remnants of an RV dumped near the cave.
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A trailer bed full of concrete posts dumped on the cave property. -
Everyone trying to fill as much as we can into Bill’s truck.
Thanks to Bill and his truck we were to be able to take debris away to a good place for the county to come out and pick it up.
Jennings Cave is owned by the Southeastern Cave Conservatory Inc. (SCCi). The FSS helps to manage the cave. If you are interested in caving, the SSCi is a valuable resource, always working to save caves and surrounding properties.
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Natalie and Kat going over the basics of our vertical gear. [Photo by Fletcher]
Are you interested in learning safe and responsible caving? Message us through the CONTACT tab on this very website for information on becoming involved in the community.
Story by Fletcher Jacobs