1

Activity Book

Ages 5 – 12+

Name: Age:

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Geologic Resources Division Junior Cave Scientist Cave and Karst Program

Explore • Learn • Protect
Become a

Junior Cave Scientist

The National Park Service manages more than 150 areas that have caves or karst landscapes. This 

includes over 4,900 caves! In fact, four of the seven longest caves in the world are located in our 

national parks. 

In this book, you will explore a fascinating and fragile underground world, learn about national parks 

that contain caves or karst, and complete fun educational activities. 

Explore

magnificent and beautiful caves. You will find an 

amazing underground world just beneath your feet!

Learn

about caves and karst systems and the work that 

cave scientists do.

Protect

our national parks and the things that make caves 

and karst areas special. 

Activities in this book are marked with an age indicator. Look for the symbols below:

To earn your badge, complete at least activities.

(Your Age)

Put a check next to your age indicator on each page that you complete.

I received this book from: 

After completing the activities, there are two ways to receive your Junior Cave Scientist badge:

1) Return the completed book to a ranger at a participating park, or

2) Visit go.nps.gov/jrcavesci

Flashlight

Ages 5 - 7 

Lantern

Ages 8 – 11 

Helmet and Headlamp

Ages 12 and Older

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What are 

Caves and Karst?

Put an X on the map in the location of your home, or the park you are visiting.

Are there any National Park caves or karst features in your state?

Yes No

Speleo-Fact: Mammoth Cave is the longest cave in the world with over 400 miles (644 km) of connected passageways. 

Parks with Caves 

and/or Karst Features

Alaska

Hawai‘i

American Samoa Guam

Puerto Rico & 

Virgin Islands

Map Not to Scale

Caves are naturally occurring voids, cavities, interconnected 

passageways, or alcoves in the earth. Caves preserve fossils, minerals, 

ecosystems, and records of past climates. Specially adapted animals 

live in extreme conditions within caves. Caves are beautiful to look at 

and provide great places to explore and learn.

Karst is a type of landscape that forms when rocks are dissolved by 

weak acids. Acidic groundwater slowly dissolves the rock creating 

large passages and channels. Karst landscapes usually have caves, 

sinkholes, sinking streams, and springs. 

Cave scientists, also known as speleologists (spē-lē-ŏl-ō-gists), 

explore, and map caves, and study animals, water, rocks, fossils, and 

other aspects of caves and karst systems.

Learn more about caves and karst systems at: 

www.nature.nps.gov/geology/caves/index.cfm

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

National Park Areas with Caves and/or Karst Features

3
A Quick Guide for Cavers Big or Small

Be Cave Safe!

As a Junior Cave Scientist, it is your job to make sure that you are 

prepared and safe during your caving trip. Make sure to ask for 

permission before entering a cave. Learn what to take and the 

“rules of three” to be cave safe.

What Should You Take for a Safe Adventure?

Decide what items are necessary for a safe cave adventure but avoid carrying 

too much! On this wild trip you can only bring 13 items. Which will you 

choose?

Headlamp

Water bottle

Ice cream

First aid kit

Glow sticks

Map of the cave

Helmet

Umbrella

Flashlight

Batteries

Sunglasses

Elbow pads

Trash bag

Snacks

Bicycle

Knee pads

Gloves

Basketball

Never go into a cave without a responsible adult. 

Bring all of the appropriate gear and always travel 

with at least a group of three. To be cave safe, 

travel with someone who is familiar with the cave 

you are exploring.

Getting Ready to Leave

To make your cave adventure safe, be sure to 

always let three people know where you are 

going. Who will you tell that you are going 

into a cave?

1. 

2. 

3. 

When going into a cave, be 

sure to carry at least three

sources of reliable light. Being 

cave safe will keep you from 

getting stuck in the dark!

Three Sources of Light

Now That You are 

Ready, What do You 

Hope to See in the Cave?

 

 

 

Do Not Overdo It!

Know your limit and do not over exert yourself. Always let the slowest caver set the pace of the 

group. Teamwork means helping each other, communicating frequently, and being aware of your 

surroundings. Save enough energy to make it out of the cave! 4
Speleo-Fact: Some parks host “Lint Camps”, where volunteers remove unsightly and destructive lint from caves. 

How to be a 

Careful Caver

Cave Etiquette

It is very important for Junior Cave Scientists to practice proper cave etiquette, or manners. This 

means that everybody has to do their part to take care of these special places. Unscramble the 

phrases to learn how to be a careful caver. 

1. wildlife not do disturb

 

2. damaging features avoid cave

3. step careful be you where

4. in, it pack pack out it

Careful What You Touch!

Cave formations are fragile and 

the oils from your hands can cause 

discoloration and stop 

their growth. 

Wear clean gloves to 

protect your hands and 

the cave.

Word Bank:

pictures carefully time placed

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Challenge: Fill in the blanks for this well known conservation saying

Leave nothing but footprints,

take nothing but , kill nothing but .

5
6

Name That Cave

One of the topics speleologists study is speleogenesis—how caves 

form. Use clues and pictures to help you choose the cave type. Be 

careful, not all of the names in the word bank are real types of caves!

I form along rocky shorelines. The impact of 

waves creates me.

I get my shape from molten lava. When the lava 

cools, my ceiling and walls are created. After the 

lava stops flowing, I become an empty tube.

I form when water dissolves bedrock. My walls 

are made of limestone, dolomite, marble, or 

gypsum. I am the most common type of cave.

I form between piles of rocks and debris from 

rockslides and rockfalls. I am found at the base 

of cliffs or steep slopes, and in narrow canyons.

I am a I am a 

I am a I am a 

Make Your Own Cave at Home

Making your own cave at home is really simple! Grab a few chairs 

and arrange them in a circle. Drape a sheet or blanket on top 

of all the chairs to form the cave. Be creative, how dark can you 

make the inside of your cave? Don’t forget your flashlight!

Name Your Cave

 

Word Bank:

Sea Cave 

Talus Cave 

 

Bat Cave

Man Cave 

 

Solution Cave 

Volcanic Cave

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore 

El Malpais National Monument Pinnacles National Park

Oregon Caves National Monument

6
7Speleo-Fact: Scientists use speleothems to study climates of the past.

Icing on the Cave

Cave decorations, also known as speleothems, are mineral deposits 

in caves. As water flows or drips into a cave, it leaves behind different 

minerals creating speleothems. Draw a line from the speleothem 

description to its matching picture.

Cave popcorn is a fun name for 

a type of coralloid, which are 

small balls of the minerals calcite, 

aragonite, or gypsum.

Cave Popcorn

Cave Bacon

Cave bacon hangs from a slanted 

or sloped cave ceiling. They are 

sometimes called draperies, curtains, 

or ribbons because of their shape.

Soda Straws

Soda straws are thin-walled 

mineral tubes. Sometimes the 

tube gets clogged forcing water 

flow to the outside of the straw 

forming a stalactite.

Speleothem Math

+

Stalactites

Form from 

dripping 

water and 

hang on 

“tight” to the 

cave ceiling.

Stalagmites

Form where 

dripping water 

hits the floor. They 

“might” reach the 

ceiling someday.

=

Draw a Cave Column

Columns form when stalagmites 

and stalactites meet.

Timpanogos Cave 

National Monument

Sequoia National Park

Wind Cave National Park

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Troglofauna Trio

Troglofauna refers to animals that live in a cave. Many animals that live in 

caves have special adaptations to their dark surroundings. Find all of the 

underlined words in the word search.

Trogloxene: The Cave Guest

Trogloxene comes from the Greek words troglo (cave) and xenos

(guest). These guests spend much of their time outside returning 

to the cave for shelter, hibernation, or roosting. They usually 

leave the cave in search of food. Examples include bats, cave 

salamanders, birds, and pack rats. 

Troglophile: The Cave Lover

Troglophile comes from the Greek words troglo (cave) and 

phileo (love). These cave lovers can spend their whole life in 

the cave but can also live above ground. Some troglophiles 

have special adaptations, or traits, for living in caves. Examples 

include beetles, earthworms, and cave crickets. 

Troglobite: The Cave Local

Troglobite comes from the Greek words troglo (cave) and bios

(life). These animals spend their entire life inside the cave. They 

are specially adapted to survive in extreme environments. Most 

of these animals lack color pigment and have small or no eyes! 

Examples include cave crayfish, blind cave fish, cave millipedes, 

and blind salamanders. 

What troglofauna 

type would you 

like to be? Why?

 

Timpanogos Cave National Monument

Hays County, Texas

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

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9

Reveal the Mysteries of

Mysterious animals live inside caves! Identify which troglofauna category 

each dweller belongs to. Use the previous page for help if you get stuck. 

Draw a star next to your favorite cave dweller.

Cave Salamander

Eurycea lucifuga

I use caves for shelter but I 

spend much of my time outside. 

I like the humidity and safety 

that the caves provide.

 

Cave Millipede

Trichopetalum whitei

I live deep inside caves. I have 

no eyes and have lost all of my 

pigment. I live completely in the 

dark all the time.

 

All photos from Mammoth Cave National Park

Cave Crayfish

Orconectes australis

Speleo-Fact: There are at least 41 cave-adapted species found at Mammoth Cave National Park.

Cave Cricket

Hadenoecus subterraneous

I live throughout caves and usually leave them when 

it is time for dinner. I have very minimal adaptations 

for living in caves. If you go in a cave, you will most 

likely see me!

 

I have no eyes, lack color pigment, and have 

other adaptations to live in total darkness. 

I mostly live underwater.

 

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Cave Microbiology

Microscopic organisms (microbes) such as bacteria thrive in caves. Some 

microbes get energy from organic material brought into caves by animals or 

water. Others get energy from carbon dioxide and nitrogen from the air. 

Some even get energy from minerals in cave walls. 

Medicine from Caves

Life on Mars?

Decode the Secret 

Martian Message

Imagine seeing walls 

covered with snot-like 

film! Snottites are rare 

groups of sulfur-eating 

bacteria that hang 

from walls and ceilings 

of caves and have the 

consistency of snot. 

Snottites drip, just like 

your runny nose. They 

produce sulfuric acid, 

which can burn skin like 

battery acid! Snottites 

are very rare.

Snotty Snottites

Cueva de las Sardinas, 

Tabasco, Mexico

Cave

Medicine

Many cave microbes make compounds 

that could be used as medicine for people. 

These microbes may help scientists create 

antibiotics to fight drug-resistant 

“superbugs” and to understand 

how drug resistance in bacteria 

works. Caves are natural 

laboratories for scientists!

Cave scientists search for microbes in 

the extreme environments of caves. Like 

Earth, Mars has many caves which may 

have the potential to support life. 

The fact that microbes on Earth 

survive in extreme conditions 

suggests there could be life 

on Mars.

10
11Speleo-Fact: Currently, there are 10 bats listed as threatened or endangered in the United States.

Flying Mammals

Bats are the only true flying mammals. There are 45 known species of bats in the 

United States. Many bats live in caves and mines. Learn about four bat species 

and complete the activity at the bottom of the page.

Bat Anatomy

Mexican Free-tailed Bat

Tadaria brasiliensis

The official state 

bat of Texas 

and Oklahoma!

Myotis sodalis and Myotis grisescens photos © Merlin D. Tuttle, Bat Conservation International. Used with permission.

Gray Bat

Myotis grisescens

Habitat: We live in caves all year long. We 

usually live in one cave during the 

summer and a different cave during 

the winter.

Eats: beetles, flies, 

moths, mosquitoes

95% hibernate in the 

same eight caves!

Bats are mammals, just like you! Look at the bones inside a bat wing and the bones inside a human 

arm. The bone structure is very similar. Can you find these similarities? Fill in the blanks to name all 

of the bones. Hint: Use the colors as clues

Humerus

Carpals

Ulna

Metacarpals Phalanges

Radius

Habitat: We usually hibernate in groups of 

thousands from October 

to April. We can travel 

long distances to find the 

right cave. 

Eats: moths, beetles, 

hard-bodied insects

First discovered in Indiana!

Indiana Bat 

Myotis sodalis

Habitat: We like to live on the edge of forests. 

We retreat to caves and 

mines during winter to 

avoid the cold.

Eats: gnats, beetles, 

moths, flies

Tri-colored Bat

Perimyotis subflavus

Can each catch an insect 

every two seconds!

Habitat: We live in caves, mines, under 

bridges, and in buildings. We migrate to 

Central America during the winter months. 

Eats: moths, beetles, flies, 

wasps, ants

ENDANGERED

ENDANGERED

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12

 

The deeper you go into a cave, the less light there is. Caves are separated into three zones depending 

on how much light the zone receives. In this activity, start from the deepest part of the cave, the dark 

zone, and pass through the twilight and entrance zones to make it out of the cave.

Follow the stones and make it out of the cave!

Zones of a Cave Start

To Play: Gather coins or something small to use as your 

game pieces and place one piece for each player on the 

Dark Zone stone.

Take turns flipping a coin to move your game piece. When 

the coin lands on tails, move one space. When the coin 

lands on heads, move two spaces.

Follow the instructions on the stones. The first player to 

make it out of the cave wins!

The twilight zone extends from 

the entrance all the way to where 

the light ends. Only certain plants 

grow in this zone. Larger animals 

are occasionally seen in this area. 

Twilight Zone

You left 

trash in the 

cave. 

Move back 

1 space

You dropped 

your flashlight. 

Lose a turn

You found 

a cave 

harvestman.

Move forward 

1 space

The furthest zone in a cave is 

the dark zone. The darkness 

hides lots of interesting things. 

Animals that live here have 

adapted to complete darkness!

Dark Zone

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Entrance Zone

The entrance zone is the 

brightest. This is where both 

plants and animals receive 

enough light to live.

You reported seeing a 

bat with a white nose to 

a park ranger. 

Move forward

 3 spaces

You ran in the cave and 

slipped on wet rocks.

Move back 

1 space

You took something 

out of the cave. 

Move back

5 spaces

You made it out!

You saw a cave cricket.

Move forward 

1 space

Speleo-Fact: Kazumura Cave in Hawai‘i (lava tube) is the deepest cave in the United States at 3,614 ft. (1,101 m).

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Dispelling Batty Myths

Bats are blind! Bats are vampires! There are many myths about 

bats and it is your job to debunk these myths. Fill in a bat fact 

and complete the activity at the bottom of the page with 

friends and family.

I Want to Suck Your Blood

Not all bats feast on blood. There are only three species of bats 

that lick the blood of their prey after making a small bite. Vampire 

bats do not live in the United States. Bats in the 

United States mainly eat insects. One bat can eat 

over 1,000 mosquito-sized insects in one hour!

Blind as a Bat

Bats use sound waves that bounce off objects such as flying 

insects to "see", in a process called echolocation. They use 

echolocation to find food and navigate through the darkness. 

Some bats also use their eyes to hunt prey due to echolocation’s 

short range. 

Help! They’re in My Hair!

Bats do not want to land in your hair! Bats are found in 

many places. They live in caves, trees, or in structures 

such as barns. Thousands of bats live under bridges 

across the United States. Even on a bad hair day, your 

head is not a place for a bat.

Bat Fact

Write down your favorite fact about bats.

 

 

Rules:

Bat and Moth Activity Group of 3 or more

Let's see what it is like to be a bat by using echolocation!

Objective: The “bats” try to tag all the “moths”, while the moths try to avoid the 

 bats! Once all the moths have been tagged, switch teams.

• Split into two teams; the bats and the moths.

• Blindfold the bats or have them close their eyes for the entire activity.

• Whenever a bat says “bat”, the moths must respond by saying “moth”.

BCI

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_ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ _

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

Speleo-Fact: This disease kills between 90-100% of infected bats.

Uncover the Mystery of

Something is killing our bats! We are in need of a Junior Cave Scientist to help 

uncover what is causing all this destruction. Use the clues to identify the 

deadly disease by filling in the blanks.

Some people say that I am a really “fun 

guy” (fungi) and I cause the disease. I thrive 

in places that are cool and damp. Caves are 

some of my favorite’s places to grow. 

From a single cave in New York, I have 

spread to caves and mines across the 

eastern United States and Canada. Soon I 

may be in every cave in North America.

I bring devastation and death to bats 

wherever I go.

As of 2014

States where you can find me

Is your state infected?

Yes No

Since 2006, I have killed millions of bats. I grow on their 

noses, wings, and bodies and wake them up during 

hibernation. I cause them to leave the cave during the 

harshness of winter. Healthy

All photos from Mammoth Cave National Park

Before entering a cave, humans decontaminate their 

gear, clothing, and boots to make sure they don’t 

spread me to other places. In places like Mammoth 

Cave, visitors walk 

over special mats to 

disinfect their shoes. 

I am a real threat to

farmers who rely on 

bats to eat 

pesky bugs.

Need a hint? Use the blue letters in the clues above. Visit nature.nps.gov/biology/wns to find out more.

I am...

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Finding Fossils in Caves

Paleontologists study the remains of ancient life. Caves are ideal 

places to preserve fossil remains for thousands or even millions of 

years. Fossil remains can range from tiny shells to skeletons of bears! 

There are two categories of cave fossils: fossils preserved in walls and 

bedrock, and fossils that accumulate in caves.

Fossils in the Walls

Most caves form in carbonate rocks such as limestone, 

dolomite, and gypsum. These are sedimentary rocks that 

may contain fossils. Fossils in cave walls are often marine 

invertebrates (ocean animals without a backbone) which 

help us learn about ancient environments.

Special Delivery: Fossils in Caves

There are different ways fossils end up in caves. These include 

fossils from animals that die in caves, animals that fall into 

caves, or the remains of animals brought in by predators.

Body Fossils or Trace Fossils

Body fossils are any type of body parts 

including shells, bones, teeth, and plants. 

Trace fossils include tracks, burrows, and 

coprolite's (fossilized poop). 

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Oregon Caves National Monument

Wind Cave National Park

Oregon Caves National Monument

Label each picture as a trace or body fossil

Skeleton

 Sloth Dung Vertebra Tracks 

Never disturb fossils you find 

while on a caving adventure.

16
17Speleo-Fact: In 1976, a fire in Rampart Cave (Grand Canyon NP) destroyed 70% of an extensive fossilized sloth dung deposit.

Evidence of

Ancient Animals

Mammoth Cave National Park

Packrat Middens

Packrats make nests and glue them together with their 

urine! Fossilized rodent urine is called amberat. Pack rats 

gather materials from all over which creates a lot of debris. 

The piles of debris are called middens. Scientists use 

ancient plant material from middens found inside caves to 

learn about past climates.

Save the California condor

Could you imagine a bird with a 10 foot (3 meter) wingspan flying 

right above you? The California condor, one of North America’s 

largest birds, became extinct in the wild in 1987 due to exposure 

to lead, habitat loss, poaching, and pesticides. After the successful 

actions taken by government agencies, American Indian tribes, 

zoos, and environmental groups, there are now more than 160 of 

these birds living in the wild. Condors lay their eggs in caves, rock 

crevasses, and large trees. 12,500-year old condor bones have been 

found in caves, proving they have been part of the ecosystem for a 

long time! Grand Canyon National Park

How does protecting caves also help save the California condor?

 

What information do caves provide about the California condor?

What are three factors that contributed to the decrease in the California condor population?

Why do you think it is important to try to save the California condor from going extinct?

Visit www.nps.gov/grca/naturescience/california-condors.htm to find out more about California condors. 17
18

Travel Back in Time with

Cave Archeology

Caves in the United States have provided shelter for humans for 

more than 10,000 years. Artifacts left in caves provide information 

about the daily lives of American Indians. These artifacts include 

items such as pottery, arrowheads, and baskets.

It is not “Finders-Keepers”

Pieces of broken pottery are called sherds. These artifacts are culturally 

significant and also provide archeologists with clues about the past. As 

a Junior Cave Scientist, it is your job to protect artifacts in caves. Help by 

reminding others not to pick up, touch, or take home any artifacts.

Pictures are Portals to the Past

Cave drawings provide a glimpse into the lives of people who lived long ago.

Pictographs were made by painting on cave walls or rocks, while petroglyphs

were created by carving, chipping, or cutting into the rock.

Arches National Park Dinosaur National Monument

We never leave drawings or signatures in any cave. 

Instead, create your own cave art in this box.

Label these two as either a 

pictograph or a petroglyph. 

18
19Speleo-Fact: The land surface of the United States is 20% karst.

Karst is

All Around You

Karst describes a landscape that forms when weak acids (carbonic and/or sulfuric acid) in 

groundwater dissolve bedrock. Karst can range in size from small caves to entire landscapes. Sinking Streams

Russell Cave National Monument

Karst Springs

Ozark National Scenic Riverways

Sinking streams are streams that drain into 

the ground at swallets or swallow holes. 

Water that goes into sinking streams may 

eventually come out at a karst spring.

Water flowing through karst systems 

emerges from a cave or other openings as 

a karst spring. 

In the United States, 40% of the groundwater 

that we drink comes from karst aquifers. A 

karst aquifer is a body of carbonate rock that can 

store and transfer large amounts of water. The 

Floridan Aquifer—the largest karst aquifer in the 

United States—extends from Florida all the way 

to South Carolina! It yields more than 250 million 

gallons (946 million liters) of water per day.

Underground Water

Build this 3-D model to see how 

water travels down a sinkhole 

and out of a karst spring. 

Visit go.nps.gov/learnkarst for a 

printable model and instructions.

Karst Topography Model

Rock Type

Carbonate Rocks

(limestone, dolomite, marble)

Evaporite Rocks

(gypsum, halite)

Pseudokarst

Exposed

Buried under 10 to 200 ft.

(3 to 60 m) of non-carbonates

Exposed

Buried under 10 to 20 ft.

(3 to 60 m) of non-evaporites

Volcanic

Unconsolidated material

From Veni et al. (2001) © American Geological Institute. All rights reserved.

Tampa, FL

What rock type do you live on if your 

home is in Tampa, Florida?

 

 

19
20

Living with Karst

Karst systems are complex and always changing. We need to plan carefully when 

living in karst areas and be aware of potential problems. Learn more about living 

with karst and answer the questions.

Do Not Trash Sinkholes!

Sinkholes are holes in the ground formed

 when water has dissolved away the bedrock. 

Throwing trash or other contaminants into 

sinkholes threatens groundwater systems, the 

water you drink, and the 

surrounding environment.

Mammoth Cave National Park

National Corvette Museum

Putting the “Cars” in Karst

Many people live near or directly on karst where the 

collapse of cave passages and formation of sinkholes are 

normal processes. Building near, or on top of, karst can 

be dangerous. One of the best strategies for living with 

karst is to learn more about our surroundings and what 

is beneath our feet. In February 2014, a giant sinkhole 

formed beneath the National Corvette Museum in 

Kentucky swallowing several classic cars.

What is the term for where a stream goes underground?

 

What acids are responsible for dissolving bedrock in karst systems?

 

What are three factors that can contribute to groundwater pollution?

 

What do you think is the coolest fact about karst?

How many cars do you see?

Look at pages 19–21 to help answer these questions. 20
21Speleo-Fact: San Antonio, Texas gets all of its water from the Edwards Aquifer, a karst aquifer.

Find a Solution to

the Pollution

Karst systems can be damaged by things that happen at the surface. Pollution by trash, sewage 

runoff, industrial chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers can harm karst environments. Some 

of the water we drink travels through karst. It is your job to minimize pollution. Solve the maze. Enter 

through any of the three sinkholes and avoid as much pollution as possible.

How do actions at the surface affect what happens below the surface?

 

How can you help keep groundwater clean?
22

Caves Need Care

Caves and karst landforms are fragile resources and can be harmed 

or damaged by humans. It is your job as a Junior Cave Scientist to 

conserve these resources and enjoy caves for the adventures they 

have to offer. Caves take hundreds of thousands of years to form. We 

must ensure they are still here for future generations.

A

C

V

E

Write a poem about caves. Start each 

line with the letters in the word “cave”.

Draw your favorite thing about 

caves or other karst landforms.

Historic Graffiti

Many caves in the National Park System have 

old signatures from early visitors. These historic 

signatures hold cultural significance but are very 

destructive to the cave. Visitors are no longer allowed 

to write their names in caves. This helps preserve the 

cave’s natural beauty for everyone to enjoy.

Mammoth Cave National Park

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Why will you try your best to preserve caves 

and karst landforms for future generations?

 

 

 

 

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23

Junior Cave Scientist Pledge

As a Junior Cave Scientist, I promise to:

EXPLORE

magnificent and beautiful caves;

LEARN

about caves and karst systems and the work that speleologists do; and 

PROTECT 

our national parks and the things that make caves and karst areas special.

I promise to enjoy the national parks and share what I learn

 with my friends and family.

Signed by 

Junior Cave Scientist

Certificate of Achievement

 

has successfully completed the requirements to be 

an official National Park Service 

Junior Cave Scientist

 

Educator/Ranger Signature

 

Date
24

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Geologic Resources Division

Cave and Karst Program

Project

Joe Camacho (Geoscientists-in-the-Parks/GeoCorps)

Limaris R. Soto (Geoscientists-in-the-Parks/GeoCorps)

Dale Pate

Jim F. Wood

Illustrations

Joe Camacho

Limaris R. Soto

Paloma Hernando (Cover Illustration)

Beth Fratesi (Badge)

Additional Photographs © individual artists (not attributed in text)

Dr. Jean K. Krejca, Zara Environmental LLC – Carlsbad Caverns NP and Texas, pp. 3, 8, 11, 16

Paul G. Johnson - Pinnacles National Park, p.6

NASA/JPL – Caltech – Mars photograph, p. 10

Kenneth Ingham – Cueva de las Sardinas, p. 10

Michael Durham – Townsend’s big eared bat – pp. 13, 23

National Corvette Museum – Corvettes in sinkhole, p. 20

Gavin Newman – Lechuguilla Cave, Carlsbad Caverns NP, p. 22

All other images courtesy of the National Park Service

Additional Support 

Jim F. Wood

Jason Kenworthy

Rebecca Port

Vincent Santucci

John Burghardt

Bill O’Donnell

Carol Zokaites

Charles Bitting

Melissa Baier

Karla Tanner

Paula Bauer

Tim Connors

Ronal Kerbo

Katie Frassinelli

Jenn Tarlton

Lila Mohesky-Roybal

Ellen Rohn

Jacquelynn Hilton

Pam Cox

Mike Gallant

Maggi Daly

Jamie Dawson

Barbara Tallman

Dianne Joop

Nick Wightman

Yusuf Abubakar

Lisa Held

Erin Cahill

Cami McKinney

The Kids of GRD

Bats in Crisis

White-nose syndrome (WNS) has killed more than 6.7 million bats in the United 

States and Canada. WNS can spread from bat-to-bat, or soil-to-bat. It may also be 

spread by humans carrying spores of the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans, or 

"PD", on their clothing or equipment. 

Your Help is Needed!

•	Stay out of caves and mines where bats are hibernating.

•	Honor cave closures. Check with your state and federal agencies for the status 

of caves and caving in your area.

•	Report bats showing signs of WNS, and bats that are dead, dying, or appear 

diseased, to your state wildlife agency.

•	Help spread the word about WNS and the value of our bats. 

For more information on bats and WNS, visit:

National Park Service 2015. Photographs © individual artists. Used with permission.

www.nature.nps.gov/biology/wns • www.whitenosesyndrome.org • www.batcon.org