How the Southeastern Cave Conservancy is fighting for our fragile caves
Beneath Georgia’s rolling hills and dense forests lies a lesser known but deeply vital part of the natural world: Its caves. These dark, often overlooked environments are home to rare species, provide clean water through underground aquifers, and offer unique opportunities for education and exploration. But they’re also under constant threat from pollution, development and misuse.
Enter the Southeastern Cave Conservancy (SSCi), a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to protecting cave ecosystems across the United States, with a particular focus on those in Georgia and the broader Southeastern region.
Founded by a group of passionate cavers, scientists and conservationists, the organization is rallying both experts and everyday adventurers to safeguard these underground treasures before it’s too late.
“SSCi has been protecting all caves since 1991,” said Ray Knott, executive director of SSCi. “We go about that mission with three different components: Conservation, education and recreation. Recreation has been a big part of building a constituency that supports what we do.”
He added that introducing people to caves through safe, guided access often sparks a deeper interest in preserving them.
“A lot of people come out just looking for an adventure, but once they see what’s underground, they understand why it needs protecting,” he said.
Why Caves Matter
North Georgia is homes to hundreds of caves, many formed in limestone bedrock over millions of years. These formations — some of which stretch for miles — are more than just geological curiosities. Caves are biodiverse ecosystems where rare bats, salamanders, cavefish and invertebrates live in delicate balance. Many of these creatures are found nowhere else on Earth.
In additional to their biological richness, caves also serve an essential role in Georgia’s hydrology. Underground systems filter rainwater and feed into the drinking water supply for thousands of residents. When people dump waste, drive over sinkholes, or disturb cave entrances, they may unknowingly be threatening a regional water source.
The damage doesn’t always happen deep underground. Above-ground development like road expansion, mining, and even careless recreation can collapse or seal off cave openings, making it impossible for native wildlife to survive or for scientists to monitor the changing environment.
“Georgia caves are incredibly unique,” Knott said. “The land that we live on is karst lands, which means it’s limestone and it’s like Swiss cheese. In this kind of environment, anything on the surface — whether it’s contaminants, chemicals or waste — moves very quickly through the soil and into the groundwater and cave systems. Unlike other areas that may have sandy or clay filtration, water here travels fast, which is why protecting the surface is just as important as protecting the caves themselves.”
A Conservation Movement, One Crawl at a Time
SSCi is working to shift that trajectory. Through a mix of education, advocacy and hands-on restoration work, the organization is bringing much-needed attention to underground habitats.
“We are in the process of a fundraising campaign at Frick’s Cave [in Chickamauga, Georgia] to replace an old footbridge and gazebo structure. It’s one of the largest gray bat habitats in the state and home to a summer colony of 5,000 endangered bats,” said Knott.
Their work includes mapping and monitoring fragile cave systems, advocating for conservation-friendly land use, and working with private landowners, many of whom don’t even know a cave exists on their property.
The group also hosts educational programs for schools and community groups to raise awareness about the importance of cave stewardship.
In 2024, SSCi led a volunteer effort in North George to remove over 800 pounds of garbage from a well-trafficked cave system that had been used as an illegal dump site for years. But they don’t just stop at cleanup. They install gates to protect endangered species, conduct water-quality tests, and sometimes even close access temporarily if a system is too sensitive.
“We have regular workdays where volunteers come to clean up illegal dumps, remove invasive species like Bradford pear trees and repair infrastructure,” said Knott. “In one Kentucky preserve, we cleared out a century’s worth of farm trash from a sinkhole. Every site has different needs, and we rely on volunteers to help us meet them.”
What You Can Do
One of the biggest challenges facing cave conservation isn’t a lack of interest; it’s a lack of awareness. Most people don’t realize that walking off-trail or leaving behind a granola bar wrapper in a cave can disrupt an entire micro-ecosystem. That’s why SSCi puts such an emphasis on public education.
So, what can the average person do?
· Stay on marked paths. Walking off-route can damage cave floors and delicate formations.
· Don’t touch formations. Oils from human hands can prevent stalactites and stalagmites from growing.
· Avoid flash photography. Many cave animals are sensitive to light.
· Pack it in, pack it out. Always leave caves cleaner than you found them.
· Report suspicious activity. Illegal dumping or graffiti in caves should be reported to local conservation groups or authorities.
· Never carve your name or leave markings on cave walls. Graffiti permanently damages delicate surfaces and erases cultural and scientific information.
SSCi also relies 100 percent on donations and volunteers. For those interested in getting their hands dirty, volunteer opportunities range from trail maintenance and mapping to biological surveying.
“We’re volunteer-driven — only three of us are paid staff. Everyone else is part of a preserve management team. Some of our volunteers give 40 hours a week to help keep these ecosystems intact,” Knott said.
As Georgia continues to grow and develop, the fate of its hidden underground ecosystems remains uncertain. But with organizations like SSCi leading the charge, the outlook is hopeful.
“We currently protect over 170 caves across the South, but there are more than 17,000 known caves in the region. We can’t save them all, but our goal is to be ready to acquire and protect significant cave systems when the opportunity arises,” Knott said.
For more information, visit saveyourcaves.org or search SoutheasternCaveConservancy on Facebook.
Where to Experience Caves in Georgia
Though many caves on private land are protected or require permission to enter, North Georgia still offers a few places where the public can responsibly enjoy the underground world. Preserves operated by SSCi require permits, which are free.
Frick’s Cave
This North Georgia cave on Lookout Mountain is one of the state’s most significant for bat conservation, home to a summer colony of 5,000 endangered gray bats. While it is closed to the public most of the year to protect the colony, SSCi hosts a members’-only visit once a year. Visitors are also welcome to visit the preserve during the summer to witness the bats’ nightly flight from the cave
Fox Mountain Preserve
This 400-acre preserve along I-59 in Dade County, Georgia, near the Alabama state line features three advanced caves that require vertical caving experience. It’s not for beginners but is a prized site among skilled cavers. Its caves include Cemetery Pit, offering 3 miles of passage; Rusty’s Cave, one of the deepest caves in Georgia; and Byer’s Cave, which had been closed for decades.
Charles B. Henson Preserve
Located in Dade County near Rising Fawn, Georgia, this 2,300-acre preserve is one of the largest cave conservation areas in the Southeast. It features over 40 known caves, including Johnson’s Crook Cave, Lost Canyon Cave and Gypsy Cave.
Howards Waterfall Cave
Also located in Dade County, Howards Waterfall was the first cave preserved by SSCi in 1991. SSCi owns two of the three-mile cave’s five entrances, and inside, remnants of Cherokee have been discovered, including writings on the cave walls.
Jackson County Underground
If you’re looking to experience a wild cave in a controlled setting, SSCi, in cooperation with the local chamber in Scottsboro, Alabama, lets visitors explore Tumbling Rock Cave with the help of stationed volunteers. Helmets and lights are provided, and guests can explore at their own pace with guides always nearby for support.
