ACKMA Forums
Cave Lighting – Dr Liz Reed, Uni Adelaide – 2022
Following the show of interest at the October 2021 meeting, the committee has agreed to hold another online forum to discuss matters of interest to cave managers, guides and scientists. Dr Liz Reed from the University of Adelaide will open with a keynote talk on her research into the effects of LED lighting on the cave environment. Following this, there will be an Open Forum where participants can share their experiences and views on best practice in cave lighting and what pitfalls to avoid.
The full audio only can be downloaded here. Click here to play the full audio only ~85Mb in size, you can also choose to download the file from the player
‘Dating Speleothems and Speleothem Growth’ – Professor Andy Baker, UNSW – 2024
Dating speleothems and understanding speleothem growth can provide insights into cave development and of past climates and environments. This presentation will delve into the methods used to determine the age of speleothems, such as stalactites and stalagmites, shedding light on the processes that shape these formations over time. By exploring the science behind speleothem dating, insights will be gained into how these geological features provide valuable information about past climates and environmental conditions. Understanding the growth rates of speleothems is explored, essential for interpreting cave formations accurately. This talk aims to help equip cave guides and tourist cave managers with the latest knowledge needed to interpret the history preserved in speleothems, enhancing their ability to educate visitors about these fascinating features in Australasian caves.
Click on the image above to play the full video of the Cave Dating Forum ~111Mb in size.Click here to download a PDF of the Slides from the Presentation.
The full audio only can be downloaded here. Click here to play the full audio only ~21Mb in size, you can also choose to download the file from the player
‘Karstcare – Cavers Looking After Caves and Karst’ – David Wools-Cobb, ACKMA member – 2024
Karstcare was set up in 2000, working principally in the Mole Creek Karst National Park in Tasmania. The group is made up of both ASF & non-ASF cavers and Karstcare has given these cavers a very different reason to go underground.
To date this group has contributed almost 5000 hours of voluntary labour. Such projects have included weed eradication, rubbish removal, installation of boot washing stations, track marking and cleaning both tracks and speleothems.
Their aim has been to install good management practices that will pay dividends for many years to come.
Some of the work sites are unusual and often difficult to access, requiring an innovative approach to achieve results. A number of these projects will be outlined, supported with photos of these caves. Dave will summarise the lessons learned, and demonstrate what can be achieved by a group of motivated cavers.
Click either the image above or use the following link to play/download the KarstCare presentation.
The ACKMA KarstCare presentation by David Wools-Cobb can be downloaded here. Click here to play/download(from inside the video player) – 191Mb in size
‘The Science (and Art) of Storytelling’ – Russell Boswell, Savannah Guides – 2025
Many studies have verified the value of storytelling in a range of contexts beyond movies and novels to areas including tour experience delivery, marketing and even human resource management. However, for most people storytelling doesn’t just happen – it needs some underlying principles, structural planning and a sprinkling of creativity. Join Russell Boswell, Manager of Savannah Guides, to explore some handy tools to help you enhance your storytelling and engage your audience more effectively. His talk is directed at cave guides, park rangers and to any others who interpret natural and cultural values to visitors. Russell has worked with Tourism and Events Queensland, Channel Nine and many tourism operators to develop their storytelling capability and resources. Savannah Guides is a network of over 500 tour guides and operators across Australia, and the country’s leading provider of tour guide professional development.
The ACKMA Science (and Art) of Storytelling Forum by Russell Boswell can be viewed by clicking on the image above – approx. 278Mb in size.
The video can also be downloaded from within the video player.