The Bretz study and book were more than just academic achievements and a scientific milestone, they were endeavors that captivated Missouri cave enthusiasts, laymen and scientists alike. State Geologist Thomas Beveridge extended a hand of friendship to the cavers. It was a handshake that would bear fruit and foster a partnership that would last for generations to come. Mushroom Cave in Meramec State Park was used as a fungus farm. The cave is now closed to protect wildlife.
Unspoiled beauty is now the most marketable commodity of caves.
The accomplishments of the MSS since 1956 toward a better understanding of and appreciation for our Missouri cave resources are legion. Volunteers of the MSS have recorded, mapped and reported on thousands of caves in the state. In 1985, the efforts of Missouri cavers received attention when the MSS received a national Volunteer Action Award for their service and community spirit. But state involvement in caves actually began before the creation of the MSS and its partnership with a branch of state government. The State of Missouri officially acquired its first caves in the period 1923 to 1928 with the creation of several state parks containing caves and springs, including Meramec State Park.