Experiential Engagement for Stewardship

Invites visitors to submit photographs of their fossil finds from the Penn Dixie site for review, supporting ongoing community and scientific engagement.

Grants members exclusive access to visit the fossil park during the offseason, outside regular public operating hours.

Provides all general admission visitors with unlimited fossil collecting opportunities during operating hours, allowing them to keep all fossils and geological specimens they find. Basic tools and souvenir cloth bags are included at no extra cost, with garden trowels and buckets provided free for groups with children aged 12 or younger.

Organizes fossil-collecting birthday parties and special events for children and families, featuring guided expeditions where guests can keep all collected fossils. Private events are available by reservation, with refund policies requiring cancellations at least 72 hours in advance to avoid charges.

Provides private expeditions and guided group tours by advance reservation, adaptable to group size and needs, including shorter durations when necessary. Requires changes to group counts and cancellations to be submitted at least 48 hours in advance to avoid full fees.

Manages a 54-acre fossil park and nature reserve open seasonally from June through September, offering general admission with 20-minute guided tours every 30 minutes. The site operates in most weather conditions, canceling only for severe events such as storms, lightning, wildfire smoke, or extreme temperatures.

Offers guided fossil-collecting tours led by trained staff and volunteers, including 2-hour private expeditions and customizable group tours for schools, scouts, camps, and other organizations. Participants are guaranteed to find and keep fossils, with tools, ID cards, and on-site assistance provided. Tours are available by reservation any day of the week and accommodate diverse groups, including those with special needs.

Offers daily rental of fossil-collecting tool sets for $10 per set, distributed on a first-come, first-served basis at check-in.

Accommodates late-arriving visitors by placing them in the next available tour up to 2:45 pm; denies admission after that time. Offers full refunds when programs are canceled by the organization and processes refunds for unused online tickets if requested within five business days of the scheduled visit.

Operates to promote and improve conditions in the show cave industry across the United States through national advocacy efforts.

Operates guided public tours at multiple show cave sites across the United States, including Alabaster Caverns, Appalachian Caverns, Black Chasm Cavern, Blanchard Springs Caverns, Bluespring Caverns, Bluff Dwellers Cave, Bridal Cave, Bristol Caverns, and California Cavern, featuring unique geological formations and subterranean ecosystems.

Offers educational content and facts about caves and caverns through its website's Learn section and by making brochures available for public order online.

Provides access to information about the nation's finest show caves, emphasizing their scientific, historical, and aesthetic significance through online resources and public materials.

Maintains a collection of over 80 animal ambassadors used in educational programming and public engagement, including off-site visits to schools and public events, to teach about animal care, behavior, and environmental stewardship.

Maintains public access to walking trails and the parking lot at Alley Pond Park from dawn to dusk year-round, regardless of center operations, and conducts monitoring of wildlife such as raccoons for educational programming.

Operates a public environmental center with regular weekday and weekend hours, offering free parking and wheelchair-accessible facilities. The center includes an animal room open seven days a week (except major holidays), indoor and outdoor classrooms, an apiary, and a windmill, supported by a newly constructed $28 million facility.

Conducts educational programs to promote environmental awareness, understanding, and responsibility among urban residents of all ages, with offerings tailored to children, teens, and adults. These programs include science lessons, nature walks, live animal interactions, and hands-on STEM learning, serving over 60,000 visitors annually.

Offers nature-based and wellness programs for adults, including guided bird walks, forest bathing (Shinrin-Yoku), yoga classes, and fishing instruction in collaboration with community partners, to promote mindfulness, health, and connection with urban wildlife.