You are invited to join TCMA and the Bexar Grotto for the Robber
Baron Open House and Caver Celebration Day on Saturday, November 8 to
celebrate the completion of the restoration project!
We want to thank everyone who has helped make the project a success,
give a chance for our neighbors and supporters to see the finished
product and visit the cave, and have some fun for all Texas cavers in
the process!
The day is divided into several parts:
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Community Open House
The neighborhood and volunteers are invited to visit Robber Baron to
see the completed project and we need your help to host it. We will
have a TCMA and Bexar Grotto table there to provide information and
we will have Robber Baron T-shirts for sale. The cave will be open
for tours and we plan to station volunteer cavers throughout a
portion of the cave to guide people through the cave while letting
them feel like they are getting a chance to "explore".
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Cave Orientation and Caver Time
After the open house ends, cavers are invited to come and play in the
cave fun and/or learn about the cave so that they can be able to lead
their own trips in the future!
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Caver BBQ at Robber Baron
BBQ will be provided!
Sunday, Nov. 9th
Additional Area Cave Trip
We are working to setup another trip for Sunday morning for our out-
of-towners, but everyone is welcome to join! Location to be announced.
This event is open to all Texas Cavers! Please RSVP if you are
planning to attend the BBQ and if you are coming from out of town and
need a place to stay or camp, let us know, so we can set you up.
RSVP to:
Linda Palit
[email protected]
(210) 699-1388
Or for more information contact:
Joe Mitchell
[email protected]
(210) 679-8408
Formal Open House Announcement Below:
Robber Baron Cave Preserve Open House
The Texas Cave Management Association (TCMA) is pleased to announce
an open house at Robber Baron Cave Preserve in San Antonio. Since
2003, TCMA has undertaken a major project to restore and improve the
property around the cave entrance. To mark the conclusion of this
project, a formal dedication and open house will be held at the cave
on Saturday, November 8, 2008 from 9:00 am-3:00 pm. You are invited
to come meet us for this event.
During the Open House you are welcome to take an underground tour
through the cave, learn more about TCMA and Robber Baron, and have a
chance to meet the people who explore and maintain it. People in the
neighborhood and volunteers are especially invited to attend. Caving
gear will be provided.
The Robber Baron restoration project involved many components:
removal of trash and debris from the sinkhole, constructing a new,
more ecologically friendly entrance, improving the surface by
replacing exotic plants with native plants, and physical improvements
including fencing, trails, and an informational kiosk. The project
has involved over 3500 hours of work from more than 250 volunteers,
especially from the local Bexar Grotto caving group. Work was
completed at a cost of more than $33,000, much of it in the form of
individual donations and grants from organizations such as the US
Fish and Wildlife Service, the Magnolia Charitable Trust, and the
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. These contributors have helped
make Robber Baron a centerpiece for TCMA due to its unique
geological, biological, and historical assets.
Founded in 1986, the Texas Cave Management Association is a nonprofit
organization that works with members and partners to acquire and
manage caves and karst. Through diversified funding, we actively work
to conserve caves, promote research and education, and provide
responsible recreational access to our caves. More information about
TCMA can be found at www.tcmacaves.org. The Bexar Grotto is the San
Antonio area chapter of the National Speleological Society. More can
be found at www.caves.org/grotto/bexargrotto/
Robber Baron Cave Preserve is located in San Antonio on Nacogdoches
Road across from the intersection of Cave Lane at 155 Camellia Drive.
More information about Robber Baron or the open house can be found at
www.tcmacaves.org/robberbaron/ or by contacting the following people:
Joe Mitchell
(210) 679-8408
[email protected]
Linda Palit
(210) 699-1388
[email protected]
