The Friends of Mammoth Cave received an Open OutDoors for Kids grant from the National Park Foundation. A selection of 20 Kentucky teachers will be chosen to attend an overnight workshop at Mammoth Cave National Park. The grant will directly fund accommodations, assist with the funding needed for field trips to the park for the students of each teacher. Workshops are open to the first 20 teachers of students in 4th-8th grade who apply.
“Despite the ongoing pandemic, 2021 was another year with plenty of good news to report. There was so much news to share, it wouldn’t fit in our newsletter or blog! Please click the button below to visit the full “2021 Year in Review” presentation.”
“The project will require full closure of the main building of the Lodge at Mammoth Cave Hotel to the public for one year, but commercial visitor services, such as dining, retail and the hotel check in desk will continued to be offered near the visitor center. ”
“A rehabilitation project to improve portions of the Mammoth Cave Railroad Bike and Hike Trail, including the Doyel Valley Boardwalk, will begin on Monday, November 8. The portion of the trail between Carmichael Road and Sloans Crossing Pond along with the Doyel Valley Overlook and parking area will be temporarily closed.”
Mammoth Cave National Park will host several outdoor volunteer opportunities along park trails and cemeteries to celebrate Earth Day on Thursday, April 22. The volunteer work provides a chance for the public to discover and enjoy the physical and psychological benefits that come with spending time outside while encouraging education and stewardship of the park’s amazing natural resources.
The Friends of Mammoth Cave received an Open OutDoors for Kids grant from the National Park Foundation. A selection of 20 Kentucky teachers will be chosen to attend an overnight workshop at Mammoth Cave National Park. The grant will directly fund accommodations, assist with the funding needed for field trips to the park for the students of each teacher. Workshops are open to the first 20 teachers of students in 4th-8th grade who apply.
“Despite the ongoing pandemic, 2021 was another year with plenty of good news to report. There was so much news to share, it wouldn’t fit in our newsletter or blog! Please click the button below to visit the full “2021 Year in Review” presentation.”
“A rehabilitation project to improve portions of the Mammoth Cave Railroad Bike and Hike Trail, including the Doyel Valley Boardwalk, will begin on Monday, November 8. The portion of the trail between Carmichael Road and Sloans Crossing Pond along with the Doyel Valley Overlook and parking area will be temporarily closed.”
Mammoth Cave National Park will host several outdoor volunteer opportunities along park trails and cemeteries to celebrate Earth Day on Thursday, April 22. The volunteer work provides a chance for the public to discover and enjoy the physical and psychological benefits that come with spending time outside while encouraging education and stewardship of the park’s amazing natural resources.
“National Park Service fire managers will conduct two prescribed burns at Mammoth Cave National Park sometime between Saturday, April 3 and Friday, April 9. The 260-acre Parkway Barrens Prescribed Fire and the almost 100-acre Chaumont-Wondering Woods Prescribed Fire will reduce the spread of exotic plants, promote the regrowth of native species and reduce hazardous forest fuels that have accumulated in the area.”
Mammoth Cave National Park has begun planning efforts to replace deteriorated cave trail materials with new sustainable materials along the Frozen Niagara Tour Route between the New Entrance and Frozen Niagara Entrance. The park invites public comments through the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website until May 26, 2021.
“Mammoth Cave National Park will institute a two-hour delay for all park offices, facilities, and visitor services on Thursday, February 11, and will close the Green River Ferry operations until at least noon. The closures are in anticipation of hazardous winter conditions forecasted for the region on Wednesday night. Park staff will re-evaluate road and weather conditions on Thursday morning.”
Mammoth Cave National Park is near completion on several construction projects. The Green River Ferry will temporarily resume vehicle shuttle operations, the canoe and kayak access ramp upgrade has been suspended until late spring, river access at Green River Ferry and Dennison Ferry will reopen, the first half of the Echo River Springs Accessible trail is currently open to the public, and the installation of the pedestrian bridge over the Echo River will include a temporary two-day closure of the Green River Ferry Road and Green River Ferry Service.
Bruce Powell, 20yr Deputy Superintendent of Mammoth Cave National Park, announces retirement at the end of December 2020. “I loved the national parks well before I began my federal career. I was able to achieve my career goal of working in a variety of national parks and have had the opportunity to see and care for these very special places. After working at fourteen NPS locations in ten states, I have had a very satisfying career and plan to finish out this month with a smile of contentment.”
Hello Friends,
In the interest of being abundantly cautious and to comply with state pandemic regulations, The Friends of Mammoth Cave will not hold an annual meeting on the first Sunday of December as has been our tradition. For the same reasons, the Cave Sing will not be conducted either. However, in conjunction with the Park, we will post a detailed annual report in mid-December. Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to seeing you at the Park soon. Stay safe and have a wonderful Holiday Season.
Rick DuBose
Executive Director
Friends of Mammoth Cave
“The Green River Ferry will close Tuesday, September 8 to complete the last steps of a vehicle ramp extension project. The ramp work will require a three month closure of all river access points at Green River Ferry and at Dennison Ferry. The only river access point will be at Houchin Ferry. Access to the Green River outside of the park, upstream in Munfordville, KY and downstream in Brownsville, KY, will remain available for use. For more information, visit the park’s website www.nps.gov/maca or call the Ferry Hotline at 270-758-2166 for current status. “
“Mammoth Cave National Park officials are pleased to announce the Boy Scouts of America (BAS) Troop 47 of Franklin, KY are the recipients of Interior Region 2 (South Atlantic-Gulf) of the National Park Service’s (NPS) George and Helen Hartzog Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service. The troop was nominated and won under the youth group category for their work in improving the Sal Hollow backcountry campsite.”
“Mammoth Cave National Park seeks public comments on a proposed increase in cave tour and camping rates which would take effect in 2021. Information on the fee increase is available for view and comment on the park’s Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website from Monday, August 24 to Tuesday, September 22.”
“The Green River Ferry and Green River Ferry Road north in Mammoth Cave National Park will be closed to all vehicular traffic on August 17-20 in order to complete a freshwater mussel relocation project and pavement preservation project. The Green River in Mammoth Cave National Park contains some of the most diverse populations of freshwater mussels in North America. Over 50 species of mussels are found, ten included on the federally endangered list.”
Mammoth Cave National Park Environmental Education Program held four overnight teacher workshops in conjunction with The Friends of Mammoth Cave National Park (Friends). The workshops were funded through a State Farm Good Neighbor Citizenship Education grant of $6,000 which was received by Friends at the beginning of 2020.
