Pictured is a portion of the stream in the Fogelpole Cave system. Clifftop purchased the 535-acre Monroe County property now named the Paul Wightman Subterranean Nature Preserve to enhance protection of the cave system and its groundwater. (submitted photo)

Clifftop announced the receipt of a $185,000 grant that will allow the preservation organization to install visitor facilities and accessible trails at its Paul Wightman Subterranean Nature Preserve.

“That will cover 80 percent of the entire $230,000 infrastructure costs,” Clifftop secretary-treasurer Pen DauBach said.

The grant is from the Recreational Trails Program, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration.

Clifftop purchased the 535-acre property in late 2013 to protect and enhance the groundwater of the Fogelpole Cave system, the longest cave in Illinois and 51st largest in the U.S. The Wightman property overlies a significant portion of the cave system and hosts federally listed and globally rare animal species.

The Fogelpole Cave system contains additional unique resources: ancient Pleistocene sediments have been dated by researchers at the Illinois State Geological Survey, providing insights into past climatic conditions, and cave formations that shed light on the devastating 1812 New Madrid earthquake.

“Part of our vision for the preserve is to make our trail system accessible to all, including people with mobility challenges,” DauBach said. “We believe all people should be able to participate in health-giving and joy-filled passive recreation in natural settings and enjoy the benefits of wildlife habitat enhancement.”

Clifftop has planted nearly 300 acres of the Paul Wightman Subterranean Nature Preserve with native grasses and flowers. Trails on the preserve wind through the prairie and oak-hickory savannah restoration, and through woodlands and past numerous sinkhole ponds. (submitted photo)

Plans include creating a one-mile loop from the trailhead through portions of the restored prairie. By using packed limestone, the trail will be easily used with mobility aids including wheelchairs.

“We also plan to install a handicapped-friendly parking area, pavilion and toilet facilities… This demonstration area also will feature interpretive information about our karst landscape and the Fogelpole Cave system underneath,” DauBach said.

Read the rest of this story in the September 14 issue of the Republic-Times. If you don’t already receive the paper, you can subscribe by calling 939-3814 or clicking here, or pick up a copy at any of these locations.