The Hoffman Environmental Research Institute, the National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI), and the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) are pleased to host the 2011 International Conference on Karst Hydrogeology and Ecosystems, to be held at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky. With a location in the midst of one of the world's great karst landscapes, Western Kentucky University has a rich history of karst scientific research and has been pleased to host a series of international karst conferences over the last several decades including the 8th International Congress of Speleology in 1981 and joint conferences of international karst commissions in 1998, 2003, and 2007.
The conference will convene the annual 2011 business meetings of:
- The International Association of Hydrogeologists Karst Commission. The Commission will also sponsor it's Young Karst Researcher Prize that will be awarded for the best work presented by a young scientist.
- International Union of Speleology (UIS) Speleogenesis Commission.
- The newly approved UNESCO/IUGS IGCP Project 598: "Environmental Change and Sustainability in Karst Systems: Relations to Climate Change and Anthropogenic Activities"
Conference format: The 2011 conference will be held on the campus of Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky June 8, 9, 10, 2011.The conference, preceded by an optional field excursion to karst sites in Tennessee, will begin with technical presentations on Wednesday, June 8 followed by a welcome party in the evening at Lost River Cave. Thursday June 9 will be a series of field trips at Mammoth Cave National Park and surrounding area and an evening cookout at the Hamilton Valley Field Station located next to Mammoth Cave National Park. The technical sessions will resume on June 10 back at WKU campus culiminating in a poster session and closing banquet at the Kentucky Museum.
For the past 30 years Western Kentucky University in conjunction with Mammoth Cave National Park has offered a series of week-long field classes focusing on cave and karst science. The 2011 Karst Field Studies summer session begins the week after the conference, on June 12, 2011 and runs until the end of June. For more information on the program and 2011 course offerings visit the WKU Karst Field Studies website or contact the Karst Field Studies Coordinator by email at karst.field.studies@wku.edu.
For conference questions contact lisa.haynes@wku.edu. For vendor information: lee.bledsoe@wku.edu
Registration Information
Registration is handled by 123signup, a secure registration platform. To view all the details about conference registration and to register click here.
All cancellations for registration must be made before May 20, 2011. If canceling registration and original payment was made by credit card there will be a $15 fee for processing the refund which will be sent by check payment only. Cancellations made by wire transfers will have a fee of $35 per refund transaction.
If you have any attendees or guests under the age of 18 you would like to register for the pre-field trip or conference, please contact Lisa Haynes (lisa.haynes@wku.edu) for further information.
Registration prices for Pre-Registration (January 6, 2011 through April 29, 2011)
| Registrant Type | Activity | Price |
|---|---|---|
| General | Pre-Conference Field Trip 2011 International Conference |
US $325 US $325 |
| Guest | Pre-Conference Field Trip 2011 International Conference |
US $325 US $175 |
| Student | Pre-Conference Field Trip 2011 International Conference |
US $325 US $150 |
| Special | Pre-Conference Field Trip 2011 International Conference |
US $325 US $325 |
Registration prices for Regular Registration (April 30, 2011 through June 3, 2011)
| Registrant Type | Activity | Price |
|---|---|---|
| General | Pre-Conference Field Trip 2011 International Conference |
US $325 US $350 |
| Guest | Pre-Conference Field Trip 2011 International Conference |
US $325 US $275 |
| Student | Pre-Conference Field Trip 2011 International Conference |
US $325 US $175 |
| Special | Pre-Conference Field Trip 2011 International Conference |
US $325 US $375 |
Registration prices for Late/On-site Registration (June 4, 2011 through June 10, 2011)
| Registrant Type | Activity | Price |
|---|---|---|
| General | Pre-Conference Field Trip 2011 International Conference |
US $325 US $375 |
| Guest | Pre-Conference Field Trip 2011 International Conference |
US $325 US $275 |
| Student | Pre-Conference Field Trip 2011 International Conference |
US $325 US $175 |
| Special | Pre-Conference Field Trip 2011 International Conference |
US $325 US $375 |
Conference Schedule
Wednesday, June 8
| 7:00am - 7:45am | Hotel Shuttles(Baymont Inn/Hampton Inn parking area to WKU Snell Hall/Chestnut Parking Lot) Runs every 15 minutes | |
| 7:00am - 8:00am | Conference Registration | Snell Hall Lobby |
| 8:00am - 8:20am | Opening Ceremony: Dr. Gordon C. Baylis, Vice President for Research Mr. Pat Reed, Superintendent of Mammoth Cave National Park |
Snell Hall 3110 |
| 8:20am - 10:00am | Technical Session: Karst Geomorphology | Snell Hall 3110 |
| 10:00am - 10:20am | Break: Refreshments in Snell Hall | |
| 10:20am - 11:40am | Technical Session: Engineering and Modeling in Karst Terrains | Snell Hall 3110 |
| 11:40am - 1:20pm | Lunch Break | Shuttles will run to local areas |
| 1:20pm - 2:40pm | Technical Session: Isotope Geochemistry in Karst Settings | Snell Hall 3110 |
| 2:40pm - 4:40pm | Technical Session: Cultural and Educational Aspects of Karst Environments | Snell Hall 3110 |
| 4:40pm - 5:00pm | Break: Refreshments in Snell Hall | |
| 5:00pm - 6:00pm | Business Meeting: International Union of Speleology (UIS) Speleogenesis Commission | Snell Hall 3110 |
| 6:00pm - 7:00pm | Break: Shuttles will run between WKU, hotels, and Lost River Cave | |
| 7:00pm - 9:30pm | Welcome Part: Lost River Cave and Valley | Shuttles will start departing at 9:30pm |
Thursday, June 9
| 8:00am | Hotel Shuttles will meet at Baymont Inn/Hampton Inn parking area | |
| 8:00am - 8:30am | Board vans for local fieldtrips | |
| 8:30am -5:30pm | All Day Local Conference Fieldtrips Option 1: Mammoth Cave Trip Option 2: Pennyroyal Plateau Surface Trip *Box lunches will be provided for both trips. |
|
| 6:00pm - 9:30pm | Cookout: Hamilton Valley Guest Speaker: Mr. Roger Brucker "Follow the Water: Discoveries in the Longest Cave" |
Shuttles will depart for hotels at 9:30pm |
Friday, June 10
| 7:00am - 7:45am | Hotel Shuttles(Baymont Inn/Hampton Inn parking area to WKU Snell Hall/Chestnut Parking Lot) Runs every 15 minutes | |
| 8:00am - 10:00am | Technical Session: Karst Hydrochemistry | Snell Hall 3110 |
| 10:00am - 10:15am | Break: Refreshments in Snell Hall | |
| 10:15am - 11:15am | Business Meeting: UNESCO/IUGS IGCP Project 598: "Environmental Change and Sustainability in Karst Systems: Relations to Climate Change and Antrhopogenic Activities" |
Snell Hall 3110 |
| 11:15am - 11:30am | Break: Refreshments in Snell Hall | |
| 11:30am - 12:30pm | Business Meeting: Karst Commission of the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) | Snell Hall 3110 |
| 12:30pm - 2:00pm | Lunch Break | Shuttles will run to local areas |
| 2:00pm - 4:20pm | Technical Session: Karst Hydrogeology | Snell Hall 3110 |
| 4:20pm - 4:30pm | Break:Refreshments in Snell Hall | |
| 4:30pm - 5:30pm | Panel Discussion: International Karst Cooperation | Snell Hall 3110 |
| 5:30pm - 7:00pm | Poster Session: Karst Topics | Kentucky Museum (on campus) |
| 7:00pm - 9:30pm | Closing Banquet: Kentucky Museum | Shuttles will start departing at 9:30pm |
Regional Field Trip
Preceding the conference will be an optional four-day field trip (June 4-7, 2011) to the East Fork of the Obey River, a tributary of the Cumberland River in Tennessee, that forms a spectacular gorge that flows along the western margin of the Cumberland Plateau. The Obey River has been impounded which forms the Dale Hollow Reservoir which enters Kentucky in its Wolf River and Sulfur Creek embayments. The field trip will be based out of Dale Hollow Lake Resort State Park, one of Kentucky's premier State Parks.
Karst Field Studies at Mammoth Cave National Park
If you want to learn more about karst landscapes, speleology and cave and karst related topics register for the WKU/Mammoth Cave National Park Karst Field Studies Program. For the past 30 years Western Kentucky University in conjunction with Mammoth Cave National Park have been offering a series of week-long field classes focusing on cave and karst science, and speleology. Classes are offered for graduate and undergraduate credit, for continuing education credits (CEU) or as non-credit workshops. The 2011 Karst Field Studies summer session begins the week after Karst 2011, on June 12, 2011 and runs until the end of June. For more information on the program and current course offerings (2010) and fees visit the WKU Karst Field Studies website or contact the Karst Field Studies Coordinator (karst.field.studies@wku.edu). Registration for classes can be accomodated with conference registration.
Sponsorship Opportunities
When your company sponsors the conference, you and your company will be recognized at the events, and a descriptive paragraph will be published in the conference proceedings.
| Date | Event | Full Sponsorship | Co-Sponsorship |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/8/11 | Morning Coffee and Snacks | $300 | $150 |
| 6/8/11 | Afternoon Refreshments | $300 | $150 |
| 6/8/11 | Welcome Dinner | $2500 | $1250 |
| 6/8/11 | Evening Entertainment | $300 | $150 |
| 6/9/11 | Dinner (Cookout at Hamilton Valley) | $2000 | $1000 |
| 6/9/11 | Evening Entertainment | $300 | $150 |
| 6/10/11 | Morning Coffee and Snacks | $300 | $150 |
| 6/10/11 | Afternoon Refreshments | $300 | $150 |
| 6/10/11 | Poster Reception Hors d'oeuvres | $500 | $250 |
| 6/10/11 | Closing Banquet | $3000 | $1500 |
Student sponsorships are $150
Please contact lisa.haynes@wku.edu to become a sponsor.
Submission Guidelines
The Organizing Committee of the 2011 International Conference on Karst Hydrogeology and Ecosystems solicits abstracts and papers for oral presentations and/or posters for the upcoming meeting. Both oral presentations and a poster session are scheduled.
The conference's purpose is to foster communication between international groups and individuals who seek to understand the nature of cave and karst systems. In addition to two days of scientific sessions, business meetings can be arranged for individual karst commissions and related groups. A business meeting is currently scheduled for the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) Karst Commission during the conference.
The Program Chair for the Karst 2011 Conference is Dr. Jason Polk. All inquiries about the Program should be sent to him at karst2011@gmail.com or he can be reached at +1 (270)-745-5015.
Guidelines for submissions can be downloaded here.
Submissions Closed
Submission Instructions for all Presenters
Presenters MUST be registered for the conference in order to submit an abstract or paper. Register here: https://www.123signup.com/register?id=vmndk Submissions will be reviewed by the Program Committee and sent out for peerreview prior to final acceptance. Authors will be notified regarding acceptance of their papers by May 6, 2011. While the organizers will consider individual preferences, time constraints may require some oral presentations to instead be scheduled as a poster, or in a different session than requested.
Current Conference Topics include:
- Karst Ecosystems and Biota
- Cave Archaeology and Paleontology
- Cave and Karst Resource and Data Management
- Karst Geomorphology and Speleogenesis
- Karst Hydrology & Groundwater Dynamics
- Geoenvironmental Engineering in Karst
- Paleoenvironmental Investigations in Karst
- Cave and Karst Conservation and Preservation
- Karst Education and Policy Efforts
- International Cave Exploration and Survey
Session Information: Special sessions, such as those organized thematically around specific research areas and questions or methodological approaches, are welcome. To request to chair a special session, please e-mail the Program Chair with the title, the names of the chair(s), and contact information by March 30th, 2011. Time and space constraints dictate that a special session should have a minimum of four presenters. The Program Chair reserves the right to add presenters to the session or to merge special session papers into other sessions.
Submission format for all abstracts and papers
Conference participants may submit either an abstract or brief paper in the formats described below
All submissions, abstract or paper, must be in English, double-spaced, 12 point-type font, with 1 inch margins all around. The title should appear at the top in bold, with the author(s) names, corresponding affiliations, and e-mail addresses below the title. The presenting author's name should be in bold. Authors are responsible for editing and proofreading their abstracts or papers, and submissions from non-native speakers of English should be carefully reviewed by colleagues for proper English grammar and syntax.
Materials must be submitted by e-mail attachment in Microsoft Word (.doc) format. Abstracts and papers (with separate figure attachments) following the guidelines below should be submitted to karst2011@gmail.com in the following format:
E-mail subject line: Last Name, Submission Type (abstract or paper), Submission Format (oral or poster)
E-mail body:
- Type of written presentation (abstract or paper)
- Format of Presentation (Oral or Poster)
- Title of Abstract or Paper
- Presenting Author's full name (First and Last)
- Presenting Author's affiliation
- Complete mailing address
- Telephone number
- E-mail address
- Session requested from listed topics or proposed topic (if applicable)
Please notify the Program Chair if you have not received confirmation that your submission was received within one (1) week of the submission date.
To insure the quality and scientific value of the conference content, all abstracts and papers will be distributed by the Program Committee for peer-review by experts in the field of cave and karst science. A proceedings volume will be published from these submissions, including figures. Exceptional papers will be invited for development as a publication in a special issue of a peer-reviewed journal.
Abstract Format Guidelines: Abstracts should summarize the main facts and conclusions to be presented at the conference (an abstract does not simply list what will be discussed). Abstracts should be no longer than 300 words and include the following in the document: title, author(s) name, affiliations, and email addresses. To facilitate our work, authors outside the U.S. are requested to electronically format their abstracts and manuscripts to 8.5X11 inch size, (not A4)
Paper Format Guidelines: Each paper must be written in English and should be a concise summary of the research; it is limited to 1000 words and the contents should not have been published previously. Up to 2 figures/maps/tables/graphs (JPEG or TIFF format, 300 dpi minimum) are allowed and should be submitted as separate attachments. A separate abstract up to 300 words maximum should also be included with the paper, and is counted separately from the paper word limit. Pages should be numbered at the bottom, center of the page. References to figures, graphs, or illustrations should be made clearly in the text (e.g. Figure 1, Table 1). Brief figure captions should be included at the very end of the paper after the bibliography. A separate reference following American Psychological Association (APA) format up to one (1) page may also be included. To facilitate our work, authors outside the U.S. are requested to electronically format their abstracts and manuscripts to 8.5X11 inch size, (not A4).
Examples for APA format:
Journal:
Berndt, T. J. (2002). Friendship quality and social development. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 11, 7-10
Book
Calfee, R. C., & Valencia, R. R. (1991). APA guide to preparing manuscripts for journal publication. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association
Please see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/05/ and associated links for other APA print and reference sources.
Instructions for Attached Files: When submitting text or figures, use standardized file formats and filename extensions. Attach each text, figure, or image file separately to the e-mail. Name figure files using the author's last name and a number in order of appearance in the paper (e.g. Smith 1, Smith 2, etc.). The maximum file size for each attachment is 10 MB. If necessary, separate the attachments and send as multiple e-mails.
Materials must be submitted by e-mail. Microsoft Word (.doc) formatting is preferred. Abstracts and papers (with separate figure attachments) following the guidelines below should be submitted to karst2011@gmail.com.
Please address any questions about formatting to the same email address
Oral Presentations: Oral presentations should be 15 minutes, plus a five-minute period for questions and answers. A computer with projector will be available in each meeting room, and presentations are required to be in Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 or earlier format. Any special needs will require sufficient advance warning.
Poster Presentations: In addition to the oral presentations, a poster session will be held. The posters should contain enough information to be readily understood, but we will also plan for a time period when authors will be present to answer questions. Poster space is limited to a maximum of 100 inches (254 centimeters) wide by 51 inches (130 centimeters) tall, including text and illustrations. Display boards will be provided, along with materials to attach your poster.
Karst 2011 Pre-Conference Fieldtrip Itinerary
Introduction
Tennessee and Kentucky have some fine and spectacular caves and karst areas, and during the conference day trip (Thursday June 9) we will be focusing on surface and underground landforms of the Mammoth Cave Plateau.
During the Pre-conference field trip described here we will be looking around another great karst region, the western edge of the Cumberland Plateau Escarpment. This plateau forms the western extent of the southern Appalachian Mountain range, and its western escarpment in the area is typically formed from several hundred meters of nearly horizontal, Mississippian (lower Carboniferous) limestones overlain by a clastic sequence of Pennsylvanian (lower Carboniferous) sandstones and conglomerates.
We will be spending one day on the area in Kentucky and one in Tennessee.
A challenge that we are working with that is impacting our choice of field sites is that many caves in the eastern United States are closed now to prevent spread of the newly discovered and rapidly spreading disease afflicting bats, White Nose Syndrome (WNS). Those of you coming from the US will likely be familiar with this already, those from elsewhere will likely be hearing a lot about it on your visit to the US. The disease, which is associated with a newly described fungus, was first recorded in New York State in 2006 and since has spread throughout the eastern and central US, killing more than a million bats. Many caves in the eastern US, including Tennessee, have been closed to limit the possible inter-cave transmission of the fungus by contaminated caving equipment or clothing worn by cavers and scientists. The first confirmation of WNS in Kentucky occurred in March 2011.
Gear will be provided for cave trips at Dale Hollow. No additional caving gear is necessary for this field trip
Our most substantive cave visit is planned for the wonderful Cumberland Caverns, which is still open to visitation at this point, but please be aware that the situation is evolving and unpredictable.
One other note is that parts of the rural southeastern United States are culturally conservative and while it is generally legal to posses and drink alcohol, there are areas that we will visit on this trip where alcoholic beverages are not sold, called "dry" counties as opposed to "wet" areas that do serve alcohol. For those that would plan to consume such beverages in the evenings, it would be prudent to bring your own with you. For those joining the trip at WKU, a wide variety of beverages are available for sale in Bowling Green.
We will engage in slightly strenuous activities, including hiking and traversing uneven ground. We also may encounter some stormy weather, so please be prepared both physically and with the proper gear (sturdy shoes, raingear, water bottles, etc.). If you have any physical or health concerns, please let us know prior to arrival so that we may work out a solution for you.
Saturday June 4, 2011
1:00pm - Depart for Dale Hollow State Park
Depart WKU at 1pm (meet at WKU or we will provide shuttle service from conference hotels to WKU at 12:30pm) or meet at 4pm at Mary Ray Oaken Lodge at Dale Hollow Lake State Park, Burkesville, Kentucky
Dale Hollow Lake, on the Kentucky Tennessee border, was formed in the 1940s by impoundment of the Obey River, a tributary to the Cumberland River. The lake has a surface area of just over 100 square kilometers, and especially good water quality because the watershed is largely forested with less impact from agricultural runoff compared with many of the lakes in the southeastern US. The dam, managed by the US Corps of Engineers, is used both for flood control and hydroelectric generation.
On the Kentucky side, Dale Hollow Lake State Park, and the Mary Ray Oaken Lodge will serve as our base for the trip. The cliff-top lodge, built of limestone and massive timbers, sits high on a bluff with beautiful views overlooking the lake and surrounding woodlands. The landscape here has heterogeneous strata of Mississippian (lower Carboniferous) age, including limestones, and so there is considerable karst development, with numerous caves that until recently received little to no systematic investigation. Recently scientists and students from Western Kentucky University have been exploring and surveying caves there, and so far 64 caves have been located with 45 with active or finished surveys, and the project is continuing.
6:00pm - Mixer & Park Welcome
7:00pm - Dinner at Mary Ray Oaken Lodge
Sunday June 5, 2011
7:00am to 8:00am - Breakfast
8:00am - Depart Dale Hollow
9:30am - Obey River Gorge
Upstream from Dale Hollow Lake, the east fork of the Obey River has cut a steep gorge through the sandstones and limestones of the Cumberland Plateau. Several major cave systems have been developed here, including Xanadu Cave (38.3 km), the Mountain Eye Cave System (25.1 km), and Zarathustra Cave (11.3 km). A number of scientific investigations have been focused here, including work on hydrogeologic and geomorphic evolution of both caves and surface landscapes, as well as geochemical interactions between the limestones here and acidic mine drainage draining from abandoned surface coal mines that allow oxidation of sulfide minerals to produce sulfuric acid that can acidify streams in some locations to pH levels below 4.
Some the geomorphic work here has used cosmogenic (10Be and 26Al) isotope dating to determine absolute ages of cave passages in turn to unravel sequences of events in the evolution of important surface drainage systems for the southeastern US.
The big caves here are relatively remote in the gorge and are thus inaccessible in the context of a day field trip, but we will have nice views of the gorge and this part of the Cumberland Plateau Escarpment that will provide an excellent backdrop for discussion of karst development here.
12:00pm - Depart Obey River Gorge
1:00pm - Lunch at Burgess Falls
Along the Cumberland Plateau Escarpment waterfalls are relatively common because of the relief and heterogeneous sequences of sedimentary strata, in particular with the upper parts formed from resistant sandstone and conglomerate formations of Pennsylvanian age. Burgess Falls is 45 meters in height and will make a nice spot for a picnic lunch.
3:00pm - Depart Burgess Falls
4:00pm - Cave Tour at Cumberland Caverns
Cumberland Caverns is an excellent cave that has passages that in some ways typify the long horizontal cave systems of middle Tennessee. With a surveyed length of more than 44 km, the cave has fortunately not been closed to visitation because of White Nose Syndrome, and will give us a great chance to get underground.
6:00pm - Dinner at Cumberland Caverns
After our tour we will assemble in the large Volcano Room for a catered dinner in the cave. The Underground Ballroom at the Volcano Room features a beautiful 3/4-ton crystal chandelier. This was originally installed in 1928 in the Loews Metropolitan Theatre in Brooklyn, and was obtained by Cumberland Caverns when the theatre was being renovated and installed in the Volcano Room. The Chandelier itself is 5 meters tall and 3 meters wide. It contains 150 various color bulbs and countless hand cut crystals.
Depart to Dale Hollow when finished
Monday June 6, 2011
7:30am to 8:30am - Breakfast at Mary Ray Oaken Lodge
9:00am Depart Dale Hollow
10:00am Wolf Creek Dam
Thanks to the excellent cooperation of the US Army Corps of Engineers, we will be able to visit the site of a major dam restoration project underway to repair seepage and the possibility of catastrophic dam failure associated with construction of the dam on karst terrain in 1938-1952.The following description is drawn largely (in many cases verbatim) from the US Army Corps of Engineers website http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/wolfcreek/seepage.htm. The dam impounds the Cumberland River to form Lake Cumberland, the largest reservoir east of the Mississippi River impounds 6,089,000 acre-feet at its maximum pool elevation of 253 meters above sea level. In 1968, muddy flows in the tailrace and two sinkholes near the downstream toe of the embankment signaled serious reservoir seepage problems. Investigations indicated the problems were due to the karst geology of the site characterized by an extensive interconnected network of solution channels in the limestone foundation. Piping of filling materials in these features and collapse of overburden and embankment into the voids caused the problems. The District immediately began an emergency investigation and grouting program between 1968 and 1970 that is generally credited with saving the dam. However, grouting was not a long-term fix and a more permanent solution was sought. After studying numerous alternatives, the District chose to construct a concrete diaphragm wall through the earth embankment into the rock foundation to block the seepage. This wall was constructed between 1975 and 1979. Since completion of the wall in 1979, District personnel have continued to closely monitor the project. Key instrumentation readings, persistent and increasing wet areas, and investigative borings that encountered soft, wet material at depth in the embankment confirm solution features still exist that have not been cut off. While the original wall interrupted the progression of erosion, seepage has since found new paths under and around the wall and perhaps through defects in the wall itself as erosion of solution features continues. To address the seepage problems, the Corps of Engineers, Nashville District completed a Major Rehabilitation Report to evaluate alternatives to improve the long-term reliability of the Wolf Creek Dam. The recommended alternative will cost about $584 million. The initial phase of construction began in March 2006 and is expected to be completed in late 2012. Since March 2005 managers have operated the reservoir to maintain lake levels within a lower range. The Corps conducted a formal risk-based assessment during the winter of 2006, which considered the impacts of additional risk reduction measures, including further lowering of lake levels, to reduce risk to people and property. An emergency decision was made January 2007 to maintain the 227 meter elevation. The Corps will reevaluate lake levels when the contractor completes installation of the seepage barrier wall in the two most critical areas, and when instrumentation shows the project is stable and improving. Though not anticipated, there are various warning signs that could cause the Corps to consider further lowering of the lake. At the site we will be able to view the ongoing work and interact with Corps scientists to discuss the project.
12:30pm - Lunch at Lodge at Lake Cumberland State Resort
2:00pm - Depart for Dale Hollow
3:00pm - Various optional recreation activities at Dale Hollow Lake State Park
6:30pm - Dinner at Dale Hollow
8:00pm - Optional cave survey trips at Dale Hollow Lake State Park
Gear will be provided for cave trips at Dale Hollow. No additional caving gear is necessary for this field trip
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
7:30am to 8:30am - Breakfast at Dale Hollow
8:00am - Depart Dale Hollow
9:30am - Crump's Cave Education Preserve and Monitoring Site
11:00am - Depart Crump's Cave
11:30am - Arrive at WKU, Bowling Green, KY
1:00pm - Lunch at WKU and free afternoon
The excursion fee of $325 per person (double occupancy, please contact about single rooms with surcharge) includes all expenses for hotels, food, entrance fees and transportation from and back to WKU as described above. Basic driving directions: From I-65 exit at the Cumberland Pkwy (Exit 43) and take KY 90 E at Glasgow. (Persons driving south on I-65 can opt to take exit 53 at Cave City and take KY 90 into Glasgow.) From I-75 South, turn onto KY 461 at exit 62, headed toward Mt. Vernon. Travel entire length of KY 461 to KY 80. Turn west on KY 80 to Somerset. From I-75 North, take I-75 exit 41 to KY 80/Cumberland Pkwy to US 27 at Somerset to KY 90 W.
Logistics
Driving Directions
Driving directions from Nashville, Tennessee to Western Kentucky University
Driving directions from Louisville, Kentucky to Western Kentucky University
Visa Information for International Guests
Please apply for your Visa as soon as possible to make sure that you can receive it before coming to the United States for the conference. For some countries, you can now apply online for your International Visa to the United States and supply your Visa/Passport photo online through the U.S. Consulate website for your respective country.
Once you have received confirmation in receiving your Visa you should then contact Ms. Lisa Haynes (lisa.haynes@wku.edu) and let her know that your travel has been approved and she will in turn email you the banking information so that you may pay online or wire the pre-conference fieldtrip and/or registration fees.
You should submit your abstract paper to us using the Call for Papers guidelines found at our website before the April 29, 2011 deadline. There is no cost for submitting you're abstract, so if for some reason you cannot receive your Visa in time to travel to the United States for the conference there is no charge. We will return a confirmation email back to you once you have given us that information.
Recommended Hotels
We have two hotels here in Bowling Green reserved during the conference for a discounted rate, The Baymont Inn (Phone 1-270-843-3200) has a discount rate for standard rooms for $59 + taxes and the Hampton Inn (Phone 1-270-842-4100) has rooms for $79 + taxes next to the Baymont Inn. We will be providing van shuttle service to and from the conference venue and field trips from these two hotels during the conference.
Airport Information
The closest airport is in Nashville, Tennessee which is approximately 75 miles (about 1 hour drive time) to Bowling Green, Kentucky. You may go directly to the Nashville airport website for flight information at: http://www.flynashville.com/. We also recommend Anytime Transport (http://anytimetransport.com or call them directly at 1-877-479-5483.) for shuttle serve to and from Nashville to Bowling Green. You can find out their information at: http://www.anytimetransport.com/. Additionally BG Shuttle (http://www.bgshuttle.com/ or (270) 781-4321) also provides shuttle services to the airport.
Rental Car Information
If you want to rent a car, there are quite a few ground transportation places available at the Nashville International airport. You can go to the airport website ( http://www.flynashville.com/) to find out more information on rental vehicles.
Local Attractions
The City of Bowling Green, Kentucky and the surrounding area offer a rich southern history marked by beautiful rolling hills and amazing caves. In addition to our conference activities, we invite you to explore the natural beauty of the area and the variety of historical and cultural attractions available.
On Your Own, June 8-10, 2011
Walking Tour of Downtown Bowling Green
Visit the Kentucky Museum right on Western's campus for an insight into the Bluegrass state's history and the opportunity to purchase unique gifts from Kentucky artists. Take a leisurely stroll downtown for shopping and lunch in Bowling Green's historic and art district. Also tour Bowling Green's Corsiar Artisan Distillery for a tasting of fine spirits and whiskey. There are several art gallerys, unique shops, and dining options only minutes from campus. Transportation to conference venue provided, see schedule.
Wednesday, June 8 and Friday, June 10 Activities. All activities require an additional fee, lunch on your own. Prices TBA. All trips must have 10 participants signed up by June 7.
Family Fun-Beechbend Amusement Park and Splash Lagoon
Spend the day, 10am-3 pm, on over 40 different amusement rides then cool off in Splash Lagoon's wave pool or lazy river. Kids of all ages will enjoy the multiple water slides and rollercoasters as well as minature golf and a petting zoo. Transportation to/from the park provided, vans will leave from hotel.
Area Show Caves
Interested in getting underground? Take the day and visit two beautiful show caves, Diamond Caverns in Park City and Hidden River Cave and Museum in Horse Cave. Have lunch at Cream and Sugar Cafe and check out the interesting antique stores in downtown Cave City in between cave tours. Transportation provided, vans will leave from hotel.
American Icon - The Corvette
Tour the Corvette Assembly Plant to see how these iconic cars are made. Grab lunch at the Corvette Cafe then view the numerous exhibits on display at the National Corvette Museum.Transportation provided, vans will leave from hotel.
Thursday June 9, 2011 - Mammoth Cave.
All conference vans will be traveling to Mammoth Cave area on Thursday. Many activities are available to those not participating in conference field trips. Boxed lunches are provided for all registered participants
Cave Tours- Mammoth Cave National Park
Multiple cave tours are available for those interested in a walking tour with a National Park Guide. No equipment necessary.
Surface Activities at Mammoth Cave
Visitor Center Hiking Trails- Several miles of hiking trails loop around the visitor's center and lead to interesting cave entrances, springs, and the Green River. Interpretive boards along the trails explain the geology, history, and botany of the park. There are gift shops and dining available in the area of the visitor's center also.
Biking /Hiking Trail- Mountain bikes for adults and children are available for rent at the park. A new nine-mile biking and hiking trail starts at the Mammoth Cave campground and ends in Park City. The the trail is easy to moderate and also passes Diamond Caverns Cave and Gift Shop.
