Cave Research in the Iowa and Minnesota Driftless

DRC Sponsor: Ward Budweg

Cheryl Johnson, President of Iowa Grotto, member of the Cave Research Foundation - Eastern Operations, and member of the National Speleological Society will present a short program on the current exploration, restoration and conservation of caves in Iowa and Minnesota.

Ms. Johnson's interest in the science of speleology began as a child. She could hear water running through the ground near sinkholes on her family farm and was fascinated about what might lay underneath. A grade school field trip to Niagara Cave in Harmony, MN opened her eyes to the world below the karst topography of the Driftless. Due to a lack of available scholarships in the field she was unable to pursue a career in Geology; however, now that her children are grown she has the opportunity to pursue her passion for caves as a leisure interest. Her interest has grown into her involvement in cartography projects at both the local and national level.

Born and raised in rural Decorah, Ms. Johnson graduated from Decorah High School in 1999 and studied accounting at Luther College. For the past 10 years she has served as the office manager for the Chiropractic Offices of fellow Rotarian Kelly Reagan.

For more about the Iowa Grotto and the National Speleological Society please visit https://caves.org/grotto/iowa-grotto/.

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**Please complete your meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.