SOCAN Monthly Meeting: Climate Action and the Oregon Caves

The Oregon Caves are probably well-known to most Southern Oregonians as a fun day trip to visit the forest and to explore the caves underfoot. The Chateau at the Oregon Caves National Monument, completed in 1934, may be less well-known. However, a designated National Historic Landmark, it is described as a national treasure akin to the more famous chateaus at other National Parks. The Chateau is currently closed for large-scale rehabilitation, even as cave tours continue. Reconstruction projects can be both expensive and environmentally challenging. The friends of the Oregon Caves, who are supervising this effort, are doing their best to ensure that the rehabilitation is as environmentally benign as possible.

Meanwhile, Katie Wendt, Assistant Professor at Oregon State University, is undertaking climate history research in the caves themselves using the stalactites and stalagmites as her research subjects. The project seeks to develop reconstructions of temperature conditions during the warm period between 130,000 and 180,000 years ago that preceded the Wisconsin Glaciation. Sue will also summarize this research.

Sue Densmore, Executive Director of the Friends of Oregon Caves, will join SOCAN on Tuesday January 28^th at 6:00 pm at the Talent Public Library (note the change in venue) to discuss these efforts and what is happening at the Oregon Caves National Monument.

SOCAN meets monthly in person with speakers on Topics related to climate change.

These meetings are free and open to the public.