OFF THE BEATEN PATH

OFF THE BEAT= EN PATH
Friends of Dunbar Cave Newsletter	July 2007

OFF THE BEAT= EN PATH

Friends of Dunbar Cave Newsletter

July 2007

UPCOMING MEETING:

THURSDAY JULY 19^TH, AT 6:00M, DUNBAR CAVE STATE NATURAL AREA VISITOR CENTER. GUEST SPEAK= ER AT 7PM: Ms. LinnAnn Welch, Tennessee State Parks Board= of Director's Vice President

UPCOMING activity:

“Cooling at the Cave= ” – Saturday, July 28, 2007, 4 to 6pm Board games, cookies, and lemonade. Come dressed in true ‘40s fashion if you feel like it.

SPEAKER INFORMATION:

LinnAnn is the state-wide biologist for Tennessee State Parks. She is the chairman of the Iris Fund License Plate Program and the coordinator for the Tennessee State Parks All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory. LinnAnn is an ex-official board member of the Tennessee Environmental Education Associ= ation for Project Archaeology and a founder of Tennessee Ancient Sites Conservancy.

NEWs from dunbar= cave:

Our cave hikes and nature programs are proving to be very popular – sometimes it’s hard to get in on one as we book up so quickly, which is good or bad, depen= ding upon how you look at it! We a= re seeing several immature Barred Owls around the cave area, so we know they h= ad a successful nesting season. One group got to see an owl catch a bat during one of our programs to see the b= ats emerge, which was very exciting. We have a hummingbird nest which is easily visible from the lake trail.

MORE NEWs from dunbar cave:

= ; &n= bsp; The Center of Excellence for Field Biology at Austin Peay State University has been conducting s= urveys of the bat populations in Dunbar Cave for more than a year. They have established a significant database on the reestablish= ment of bat populations. Their research has focused on the site fidelity of individual bats and tracking the aggregation of various species in chambers= of the cave. They plan to develop a Management Plan for the conservation= of the habitat and restoration of the bat populations.

= ; &n= bsp; Dr. Andy Barrass of APSU and one of the students conducting the survey will present a briefing on this project to the staff of Du= nbar Cave on July12, 200= 7 at 10:00 a.m. Bob Wells would like to invite any member of the Friends of Dunbar Cave to attend.

MEETING notes= :

· &n= bsp; As of this month any information going in the newsletter will be due by the first Friday of every month. This will allow me tim= e to compose it, and mail it out to those who do not have email in time for meetings.

· &n= bsp; Discussion included finalizing trail signs, and plans to accomplish this task.

· &n= bsp; Plans were made for = the “Cooling at the Cave” activity. Anyone who can provide a board gam= e for this event please contact Jen at 216-2844.=

· &n= bsp; Discussion also incl= uded the state of the flower beds in front of the visitor center. If anyone knows of a local busines= s that might be interested in their upkeep in exchange for posting a business sign there, please contact the visitor center.&= nbsp; This would be a church or youth group also.

· = Mr. Jimmy Dunn spoke= as part of the program, and he did a wonderful job. It was very enjoyable to learn abo= ut the past of Dunbar Cave. Several things that were of intere= st were the ladies association of Dunbar Cave, prior to 1936, John Ashley had a plane crash doing air shows at Dunbar Cave, and the 4^th of July = was it was the place to be, packed with people.

<= o:p>

Call for Dunba= r Cave Memorabilia

The Friends of Dunbar Cave = is asking the community for their collectibles that are directly related to Dunbar Cave history such as: photographs, programs, posters, and artifacts, to be included in the new Dunbar Cave Interpretative Center.

Donations may include origi= nals, which would be housed in the Tennessee State Archives with a copy placed in= the exhibit, or with donor permission, copied/scanned and the originals returne= d to the donor. Acceptance of the memorabilia will be based on duplication, condition, appropriateness to the= Interpretative Center, and space limitations. Recognition and item provenance wi= ll be noted.

Memorabilia from the “= ;Early Resort Era”, late 1800 through early 1900 is of special interest, however the exhibit will cover all historica= l eras and subjects of importance. <= /p>

The long awaited Interpretative Cent= er was identified in the Governor's budget and the state legislative approval = is imminent. The project is expe= cted to take up to 3 years to complete. <= /span>

Please cont= act the Dunbar Cave Visitor’s Center at (931) 648-5526 to arrange an appointment to discuss your donation.

Wednesday, July 18 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. = INSECTS = &nb= sp; Ages 5 – 12

We’ll learn the different kinds of insects, catch and release them! RESERVATIONS BY= 4:30 July 16^th. Program Leader: Amy Atkins Wallace, Interpretive Specialist.

Friday, July 19 11:00 - 12:00 a.m./p= .m. = ROCK ART = Ages 6 - 12

When the Native Americans visited the cave about 700 years ago they left some drawings on the cave wall, which tell a story. Learn about the cave art her= e at Dunbar Cave and practice making some to t= ell a story of our own. RESERVATION= S BY 4:30 JULY 17. Program Leader:= Nathan Smith, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

Thursday, July 19 = 8:15 - 9:15 p.m. = NIGHT HIKE &n= bsp; = All ages

Walk the Short Loop trail at night as we explore the woods and lakeshore for nocturnal critters. RESERVATI= ONS BY 4:30 JULY 17. Program L= eader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger

Friday, July 20 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. = MORNING TRAIL HIKE = Ages 3 - adult

Hike the short loop trail and see the wildlife which is starting to emerge for t= he day. The trail is 1.1 miles l= ong and mildly strenuous. Wear go= od walking shoes or boots (no flip flops).&nb= sp; RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 18. Program Leader: Nathan Smith, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

Friday, July 20 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. MAN’S USE OF DUNBAR CA= VE THROUGH TIME Ages 10 - adult Gain a better apprecia= tion for local park by viewing a slideshow covering the past 10,000 years of hum= an activity at Dunbar Cave. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 18. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Range= r

Friday, July 20      2:00 – 3:00 p.m.        =             &nb= sp;      SNAKES     = ;            &n= bsp;          Ages 4 – 7

We will learn about snakes through fun books and slides.   Then you can come to our pro= gram on Saturday and see real live, real large snakes! RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 July 18. Program Leader: Amy Atkins Wallace, Interpretive Specialist

Saturday, July 21     11:00 a.m. ̵= 1; 12:00 p.m.     SN= AKES (BOAS, THEY’RE NOT JUST CONSTRICTORS)    All ages.

Join Sherry and Donnie of Reptiliacs for a close up = look at live snakes - ONLY if you want to (otherwise sit in the back!)   Reservations by 4:30 July 19= .

Saturday, July 21        7:30-8:30 p.m.        =    LET’S LEARN ABOUT BATS! &= nbsp;          Ages 3 - adult
Come learn about the bats that hibernate in Dunbar Cave. After some fun activities and game= s we will go watch the bats fly around the Lake. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 19. Program Leader: Amanda Whitley, Sea= sonal Interpretive Ranger

Sunday, July 22        = 6:00—7:30 p.m.        =           EVENING CAVE HIKE            =             =     Ages 3 - adult

Can’t make our regular scheduled hikes? Well this one is just for you. Cost is $5.00 per person and space is limited to 20 people. Bring a flashlight and wear good w= alking shoes (no sandals).

RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 20. Program Lead= er: Amanda Whitley, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

Sunday, July 22      8:30 - 9:30 p.m.        =             &nb= sp;    LIGHT LOVING BUGS   =             All Ages

Learn about those summer insects that love when you leave the porch light on. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 23. Program Leader: Nathan Smith, Seas= onal Interpretive Ranger

Wednesday, July 25        = 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.        =    WHAT’S IN SW= AN LAKE        &= nbsp;       Ages 3 - 1= 2

Find out about the aquatic habitat in Swan Lake a.k.a Dunbar Lake. Bring shoes and clothes you don= 217;t mind getting dirty because we are getting wet. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 23.   Program Leader: Amanda Whitl= ey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

Thursday, July 26        =      10:00 - 11:00 a.m.            &= nbsp;        TAKE COVER!=         &= nbsp;               Ages 10 - adult

Did you know that Dunbar Cave was designated= as a nuclear fallout shelter during the Cold War? Come learn about this little k= nown part of our history. RESERVAT= IONS BY 4:30 JULY 24.   Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Ranger

Friday, July 27    9:00- 11:= 00 a.m.        =             &nb= sp; PAWPRINTS AND POOP        =       Ages 5 – 12

Learn about the clues and signs that animals leave behind. RESERVA= TIONS BY 4:30 July 24. Program Lead= er: Amy Atkins Wallace, Interpretive Specialist

Friday, July 27        10:00 -11:00 a.m.        =         THE WATER CYCLE        =             Ages 6 - 12

Play a game and find out where the water we drink came from, where its been, and all the places it can go. We will also make a necklace to ta= ke home and show how different the water cycle can be. Space is limited to 10 participant= s. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 25. Program Leader: Nathan Smith, Seas= onal Interpretive Ranger

Friday, July 27        =        7:00 - 8:00 p.m.      = ;         =    EVENING TRAIL HIKE   =             &nb= sp;            All ages

This is a great time of day to observe wildlife as we walk the Short Loop trail. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 J= ULY 25.   Program Leader: Ada= m Neblett, Park Ranger

Saturday, July 28      4:00 ̵= 1; 6:00 p.m.        =    COOLING AT THE CAVE        =    All ages welcome

The Friends of Dunbar Cave present a special time at the cool cave entrance reminiscent of days gone by. = Gather and play cards and games as you listen to the soft sounds of a musical group. No admission charge, refreshments will be available for purchase. No reservations needed.

Saturday, July 28        =       5:30-7:00 p.m.            LANTERN CAVE TOUR            =    Ages 6 - adult
Explore the dark abysses of Dunba= r Cave with only a ke= rosene lantern for light. Cost is $5.00 per person and space is limited to 10 peop= le. Wear good walking shoes (no sandals). RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 26. Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Park Range= r

Sunday, July 29       9:00 - 10:00 a.m.        =        WHAT’S IN SW= AN LAKE        &= nbsp;      Ages 3 - 12

Find out about the aquatic habitat in Swan Lake a.k.a Dunbar Lake. Bring shoes and clothes you don= 217;t mind getting dirty because we are getting wet. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY   Program Leader: Amanda Whitley, Seasonal Interpret= ive Ranger

Sunday, July 29        =    10:00 - 11:00 a.m.              =     CANDY CAVES        =         Ages 7 - 14

Find out why we have caves and how they form while making a model cave from suga= r to see the process in action. Sp= ace and supplies are limited to nine participants. RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 JULY 27.   Program Leader: Nathan Smith, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger

Sunday, July 29     8:00 – 9:3= 0 p.m.        =             &nb= sp;    FULL MOON HIKE   &nb= sp;         Ages 8 –&= nbsp; adult

The full moon will be rising at 8:07, and we will walk the Short Loop Trail and Lake Trail by its light. NO FLASHLIGHTS unless they have red filters.&= nbsp; RESERVATIONS BY 4:30 July 27. Program Leader: Amy At= kins Wallace, Interpretive Specialist