COMBINING KARST RESEARCH AND LEARNING AT MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARK: MAMMOTH CAVE INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR SCIENCE AND LEARNING

The Mammoth Cave International Center for Science and Learning (MCICSL) is a cooperative venture of Mammoth Cave National Park (MCNP) and Western Kentucky University (WKU). It is one of a network of Research Learning Centers within the National Park Service (NPS). The goal of these centers is to expand and facilitate science, research, science-based decision making, and learning in parks and surrounding areas. MCICSL is involved in many research and education projects. Because Mammoth Cave is in a world-class karst area, much of the research and education focuses on karst resources and processes.

The center coordinates scientific research at MCNP and consults with the park on scientific issues. MCICSL staff lead on several research projects including a project to better understand airflow in the Historic section of Mammoth Cave. MCICSL helps facilitate research in the park by assisting with permitting, coordinating field work, and providing access to housing and facilities. The center recruits volunteers for research projects.

MCICSL leads or participates in many educational activities highlighting research at the park. These include educational programs for staff and teachers, WKU’s Karst Field Studies Program, and the Geoscience-Teachers-in-the-Parks pilot project. One project integrating research and education is a study of stream flow in Mammoth Cave. This research was developed and is being performed by seventh graders from Elizabethtown, KY. We also work with university groups to develop research-based field opportunities. Our activities focus mainly on learners that are secondary school age or older.

MCNP is currently building a new visitor center with a large exhibit space. The exhibits will interpret on many aspects of karst. The exhibits will be toured by nearly 400,000 people each year. MCICSL staff work with NPS staff and outside experts developing these exhibits.

MCICSL works with MCNP to expand the park’s international reach. We assisted in developing a sister park relationship with the South China World Heritage Site. We also participate in a cooperative arrangement among WKU, MCNP, and three Slovenian sites: the Karst Research Institute, Skocjan Caves Regional Park, and Postojna Cave.