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Fern Sink Preserve

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On October 10, 2008, SCCi Chairman Brian Krebs announced that the Conservancy has signed a contract to purchase 80 acres in Jackson County, Alabama overlying a large portion of Fern Cave and including the Fern Sink Entrance and Surprise Pit. The preserve is a privately owned tract adjoining the federally-owned Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge . All other entrances of the cave are located on the federal land.

NOTICE: This cave is currently closed to protect endangered bats from possible exposure to deadly White Nose Syndrome (WNS).

Since 1997, the SCCi has managed the Fern Sink entrance and Surprise Pit under a lease agreement with the owner. When the opportunity arose this summer, the Conservancy was able to convert our long-term relationship with the property into permanent ownership and protection. You can help support permanent protection of Fern Cave by becoming an SCCi member and donating to help with the acquisition costs.  SCCi Sustaining Membership is the best way to support the acquisition and protection of Fern Cave and other southeastern caves.

Fern Cave has five entrances. Four of these are on the Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge (US Department of the Interior), and one (The Fern Sink, or Surprise Pit entrance) is located on property leased and managed by the SCCi. One section of the cave is the largest gray bat hibernaculum in the world. As a result, new restrictions are now in place to protect the bat colony from the deadly White Nose Syndrome. We ask that everyone who visits the cave take the decontamination request very seriously. The lives of over 1.5 million bats depend on it!

Surprise Pit, Alabama's deepest pit at 437 feet, was closed in 1994 due to liability concerns caused by two back-to-back rescues. After lease arrangements were completed on March 6, 1997, access for qualified individuals was reestablished under a permit system administered by the SCCi.

Entry into the Fern Cave system from any entrance on either property requires a permit. For trips to any portion of Fern Cave, contact Fern Cave Access Coordinator Steve Pitts at fern@scci.org at least TWO weeks before you would like to visit the cave  Steve is a volunteer employee of the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge and also serves as SCCi property manager for the Surprise Pit (Fern Sink) entrance and leased property.

Fern Cave Access Procedure

NOTICE: To help prevent the spread of the deadly White Nose Syndrome (WNS) affecting bat populations, cavers should take all reasonable and necessary precautions to avoid carrying mud, water, or other substances from one cave to another.

• Any group entering Fern cave must have a current permit signed by the Fern Cave Access Coordinator (FCAC).
• The permit must be requested at least two weeks before the planned trip date.
• All persons entering the cave must comply with White Nose Syndrome decontamination procedures.
• All persons entering the Fern Cave System must be NSS members. SCCi membership is recommended, but not required.
• The signed permit will be issued to a designated trip leader. This permit must be displayed prominently on the trip leader's vehicle while the group is in the cave.
• Any person entering the cave system must be known to the FCAC. If a person is not known to the FCAC, then an attempt will be made to find someone who can vouch for the capabilities of the parties requesting a permit. If this cannot be done, the FCAC will attempt to provide an escort for the trip. The FCAC cannot guarantee that an escort will be available. Please inquire early enough to allow time for arrangements to be made for your trip.
• Trips to Surprise Pit during periods or conditions of inclement weather such as severe rain are prohibited. The FCAC will be the final judge of what constitutes inclement weather.
• Upon completion of the cave trip, the report section of the permit must be completed and returned to the FCAC within one week of the trip.

Acreage: 80.0 acres in Jackson County, Alabama.
Property Manager: Steve Pitts (fern@scci.org)
Access: Surprise Pit is currently closed to protect bats from possible exposure to White Nose Syndome.

Commercial Use Statement
The Board of the Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc. (SCCi) reaffirms its standing policy that bans the commercial use of our properties, and specifically, prohibits any activity where a charge of any type is made. Should you have any questions, contact the SCCi Chair at chair@scci.org .