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AKA UT Grotto

@undergroundtexasgrotto

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Cave exploration, education, and conservation since 1951. Reach out if you're interested in caving. See you underground!

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5.21.26 - 5.26.26 | Fujifilm Quicksnap 35mm
Cañon Matias Caving Expedition

@undergroundtexasgrotto

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Spring 2026 Initial Training - Class 7, #Geology, #Soils, and #Weather, success!
Recently, trainees gathered on a drizzly morning in the field at Goat Cave #Karst Preserve to talk about Geology & Soils! A “rock” star studded morning with Dr. Nico Hauwert, Senior Hydrogeologist & Elizabeth McGreevy, landscape designer, restoration consultant, and author.

🪨 Dr. Hauwert shared about the local geology and how it affects nearly everything around us. We also learned about the recharge zones, groundwater, and how dye-tracing was used to learn how it all connects through our unique local karst geology.

🪏 Elizabeth talked about our local soil types, erosion causes and concerns, the history of the land around us and how changes and (mis)uses over time have affected the current ecological system.

🦇 Next, we traveled to the Texas Speleological Center to hear from CAMN’s own Elenore Le Corvaisier, current President of the Texas Speleological Association. She talked to us about our local #caves, the work being done to clean and protect them, the amazing critters and invertebrates found there, and how we can all get involved in preserving these special places. AND a climbing demo!

🌦️ And finally, we heard from LCRA’s Chief Meterologist, Bob Rose, about the 2026 Weather forecasts, what those forecasts mean, and expectations for the Spring & Summer. We learned about La Nina vs El Nino, how rainfall vs drought affects our aquifers and flooding, and had all of our weather questions answered…for now!

🌳 Sound like a great way to spend a day? Check out the Texas Master Naturalist program - you can learn more about CAMN’s future training sessions on our website: camn.org or at the link in our bio.

📸: 1,3,4,14 Danny M, rest CAMN

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We may be on holiday for Spring Break, but things are going down at BFL. Literally.

Researchers studied and expanded a hole discovered previously in the field, suspecting it may lead to an underground cave. 🕳️ Volunteer support came from Underground Texas Grotto, a non-profit that does cave explorations across Texas and Mexico.

The team is just two feet short of declaring the site an official cave. 😲 We'll keep you posted on what we find out at next month's dig!

#cave #karst #underground #exploration #discovery

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Contact your state representatives and tell them DO NOT SELL OUR CAVES. You do NOT need to live in an affected state for your voice to matter. This is a national decision.

Text below from the NSS:

Many of the lands identified for sale contain significant caves, such as El Cap Cave (AK), Bigfoot (CA), Main Drain (UT), Columbine Crawl (WY), Loaded Dice (WY), Horsethief (WY), Pishiboro (AZ), and many others.

Access to our NSS Preserves could even be threatened. For example: while the NSS owns the entrance to Great eXpectations Cave, the USFS land that abuts it (and provides access via the road) is flagged for sale. Once sold, trailhead access to many caves could be lost entirely. These lands can be developed — and the caves and ecosystems they contain may be destroyed, closed, or irreparably harmed.

Here’s a breakdown of why this matter is urgent:

* Conservation of Unique Ecosystems
>> Many of these caves are home to endemic cave-adapted species that are threatened or understudied. For example, in the draft legislation, the land that holds El Cap Cave is listed for sale, and this cave alone is home to many amphipods, collembolans, two different species of bats, river otters, and more.

* Cultural and Recreational Significance
>> Countless caves serve as key sites for scientific research, exploration, and outdoor recreation. A change in ownership and land management practices could restrict or eliminate public access.

* Environmental Impact
>> The alteration of land stewardship practices may set a precedent that endangers other protected areas, threatening a legacy of conservation in critical landscapes.

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We’ve had a fun-filled summer so far. Looking forward to spending the next couple of months enjoying the days, with my little Texans. I’ve missed them, since they have been in school. 🥹

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Come to the Wildflower Center after hours for a FREE event the whole family can enjoy from 5-9pm on Thurs, June 6. Guests are invited to:

• Explore one of the Wildflower Center’s caves. Sign-up for cave tours begins at 5:45p. Caving gear will be provided but be sure to wear closed toed shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting muddy.

• Learn about sinkholes during a walk-and-talk - they start at 6:45p and 7:45p in the courtyard.

• Scale CaveSim’s climbing tower or check out their mobile cave.

• Meet representatives from @undergroundtexasgrotto, visit with a paleontologist from the Jackson School of Geoscience (@txgeosciences), grab a bite in the cafe, & more.

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Crawling around Texas’ second longest cave

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Rubble on the double!

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Big ups 👏to all the BSU Presenters, Teachers, Volunteers, Partner Organizations, and Students who made this year’s Barton Springs University Day so extraordinary! 2023 was one for the books, and we appreciate all the effort that went into pulling it off. This is one of the most exhilarating educational events that takes place in Austin and we hope that the joy (and learning 🤓) lives on and inspires future stewards of the Springs💦, the 🌳 , the Wildlife🐠🦞🐛, and the Texas Hill Country 🌅

📸 credit @inkedfingers 😍

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