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Wisconsin Speleological Society offers educational partnership centered on small cave on Southern Door property
Summary
Members of the Wisconsin Speleological Society presented LIDAR maps and photos of a ~30‑foot pit cave on district property (Open Door Pit Cave) and offered no‑cost educational programming; the board discussed safety, student participation limits and liability releases.
Representatives of the Wisconsin Speleological Society (WSS) visited the Southern Door County School District board meeting to introduce themselves and to describe a small pit cave on district property, called "Open Door Pit Cave." Andy Kron (WSS vice chairman) said the cave is narrow and descends roughly 30 feet. WSS provided maps, LIDAR imagery and archival photos showing a student‑built log cabin and an enclosure over the opening erected years ago to protect the site.
WSS emphasized conservation and responsible caving. "We're looking for a big empty spot underground... we're very interested in caving," Andy said, explaining the group’s nonprofit mission to explore, restore and protect caves in Wisconsin and to work with landowners. WSS proposed educational partnerships — in‑class lessons, supervised site visits and geology/ecosystem programming — and said they would bring safety protocols, training and a liability release for participants.
Board members asked about costs and safety. WSS said its programming would be provided at no cost to the district though the group accepts donations to support cave research. WSS representatives said they would not lower students 30 feet vertically but could run lessons that explain the Niagara Escarpment geology, karst features and groundwater connections.
Board members thanked the presenters and moved on to the next agenda item. The board did not take formal action on the presentation but noted interest in potential future collaboration.
