You are here

Mammoth Cave National Park Extends "Sister" Agreements To Slovenia

Share

Dr. Rick Toomey (center) and Dr. Janez Mulec (left) lead Greenwood HS students on a science workshop inside Mammoth Cave. NPS handout.

Last fall officials at Mammoth Cave National Park forged a working relationship with a park in China that has karst formations similar to those found in Mammoth Cave. Now the U.S. park has looked across the Atlantic Ocean to develop a similar agreement with officials in Slovenia who oversee karst landscapes in that country.

During ceremonies at Mammoth Cave earlier this month officials from the national park, Western Kentucky University, and the Karst Research Institute of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts established a cooperative arrangement to share scientific research.

“As a World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve, Mammoth Cave is reaching out to other nations and internationally renowned karst areas," said Mammoth Cave Superintendent Patrick Reed. "This is a great opportunity to work with our long-standing partner Western Kentucky University and forge new connections with our Slovenian friends.”

Participating in the signing were Superintendent Reed, Dr. Janez Mulec of the Slovenian Karst Research Institute, Dr. Blaine Ferrell, Dean of Ogden College of Science and Engineering, and Dr. Chris Groves, director of the Hoffman Institute at Western Kentucky University.

Dr. Mulec traveled to Kentucky representing the Slovenian partners – Skocjan Caves, Postojna Cave, and the Slovenian Karst Research Institute.

“Skocjan is a World Heritage Site and Postojna receives around 500,000 visitors a year, making it a top tourist destination,” said Dr. Mulec. “The Slovenian karst landscape is very similar to south-central Kentucky with numerous sinkholes and limestone caves. As cave managers, we share many similar issues.”

While visiting Kentucky, Dr. Mulec focused on his specialty of lampenflora, or algae and green plants that grow around cave lighting.

“I toured sections of Mammoth Cave to observe these plants. We are actively working to remove lampenflora in Slovenian caves because it detracts from the beauty of caves," the Slovene said. "It also disrupts the cave eco-system by introducing a new source of energy into the food chain.”

Dr. Rick Toomey of the Mammoth Cave International Center for Science and Learning looks forward to cooperating with Slovenian scientists to exchange technology to remove green plants. “This arrangement will enable us to work with Slovenian scientists to explore methods to remove lampenflora, and avoid harming cave animals or damaging formations," he said.

The Friends of Mammoth Cave National Park, with the help of Bluegrass Cellular, sponsored a Greenwood High School environmental science class as they participate in a workshop inside Mammoth Cave with Dr. Mulec. The students also attended the signing ceremony at the Mammoth Cave Hotel.

Comments

Is there a light that will slow down or stop growth of algae in caves or damp rooms?  Is such a light harmful to humans?


Add comment

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.