Appalachian Cave Conservancy

ACC members and friends:

As many of you have already heard, ACC is pleased to announce that the Perkins Cave property in Washington County, Virginia is being donated to the National Speleological Society. Final details are still being worked out, but John and Mary Wilson’s generous gift will result in the continued long-term protection of this highly significant cave as part of a 136 acre preserve on Clinch Mountain. As per a Memorandum of Understanding between the NSS and ACC, we will continue to manage the cave, as we have been doing for our entire 40+ year history. Perkins is known for its aesthetic features, including highly decorated areas such as First and Second Discoveries, the White Room, Ghosttown, the Forest Trail, and perhaps millions of helictites, from tiny to unusually large, spread across a complex maze of 10+ miles of passage. Careful access control over many decades means that these sensitive formation areas remain pristine. To ensure that the delicate features remain preserved in perpetuity, the management plan will continue to stipulate that the cave is not available for general access recreational caving, but that trips should have a specific purpose, small group size, and an approved leader familiar with the cave. Of course, besides survey and scientific projects, showing the cave to competent experienced cavers, especially ACC and NSS members, to whom the preserve ultimately belongs, will be an objective met through periodic organized trips offered by ACC, much as we have done for recent VAR meetings and other events.

Our friend, conservancy founder, and long-time board member John Wilson is currently dealing with serious and unexpected complications following a scheduled surgical procedure. Your thoughts, prayers, and positive energy for John and his family are appreciated in this difficult time.

Jason Lachniet
August 16, 2021