Calendar of Events

A great selection of upcoming caving activities for 2025 is in the works! All are welcome in any of our caving activities. These outings may include caving trips, educational opportunities, survey opportunities, and cave project activities. I hope you can join us on one of these great offerings and become a part of the wonderful world of underground caving adventures. 

The following link provides information about White Nose Syndrome . WNS was found within the range of Wisconsin Little brown bats during the winter of 2010-2011. The state of Wisconsin has listed four hibernating bat species as threatened, listed P. destructans (the WNS fungus) as a prohibited invasive species, and has adopted provisions to ss. NR 40.04 and 40.07 (the invasive species law) relating to early detection and prevention of the spread of WNS due to anthropogenic (human) activities. Per Wisconsin DNR rules below***     

 ***Wisconsin DNR rules:

•Cavers may not use gear that has been used in a cave/mine outside of Wisconsin in a cave/mine within Wisconsin. Caving gear should be dedicated for use in Wisconsin only and should be stored separately from gear dedicated to out-of-state caving activities.

•Equipment, gear, clothing and other objects that have been in or near a cave or mine located in this state must be cleaned following department-approved protocols before they can be brought into another cave or mine in this state. The decontamination process for all equipment, gear, clothing and other objects that have been in or near a cave or mine in Wisconsin must begin immediately upon exit (i.e. gear must be cleaned or contained within 100 feet of the cave or mine entrance).

•Even quiet activity may unnecessarily arouse bats from hibernation. Frequent arousals of bats can cause them to use up valuable energy reserves, which could lead to increased susceptibility to diseases such as WNS and even death (constituting take). It is illegal to take, transport, possess, process or sell any wild animal that is included on the Wisconsin Endangered and Threatened Species List without a valid permit. Caves and mines that serve hibernating bats should not be entered while the bats are hibernating (October-May) to avoid unnecessary disturbance.

•When storing or transporting dirty caving gear ensure steps are taken to avoid contaminating clean items. For example, while in storage or in a vehicle gear should remain in a sealed container until the container is removed from the vehicle. After caving dirty gear should be removed outside the vehicle and placed in a sealed container outside of the vehicle. The container can then be transported to an area where it can be decontaminated.