Dec 26, 2013 04:40 PM EST By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

Southern cave explorers received an unexpected holiday gift when a conservation group purchased an area of land, the Run to the Mill Cave Preserve, that includes two caves previously off-limits to explorers, the Tennessean reported.

The group, The Southeastern Cave Conservancy, will open their new territory, comprising 75 acres of land and a 167-foot drop called "The Tilted Well", to the public. They'll also ensure the conservation of the Run to the Mill Cave Preserve and its population of Indiana Bats, believed to be the largest collection of the endangered species in the state. Officials will also have to handle white-nose syndrome, an infection likely present in the caves and one that's wiped out large numbers of Indiana bats across the United States, according to the Tennessean.

Given the twenty years they've spent trying to acquire the property, their more than ready for the challenge.

"We've been working on this purchase for almost 20 years," said Buddy Lane, the conservancy's treasurer and a member of the board of trustees. "It's an amazing thing."

Conservancy officials said they'll model the management of the Mill Cave preserve after other bat-containing caves they own. They'll also be charged with keeping the surrounding area clean, for the cave's steams lead to the Sequatchie Spring of the Cumberland Trail State Park, the Tennessean reported.

The purchase totals $200,000, about half of which the organization already has, largely thanks to a $50,000 grant from Lyndhurst Foundation. They'll continue to raise the rest and presumable pay it in loans.

Fans of caves and nature can make donations on Southeastern Cave Conservancy's website, which, in its press release, describes the entrance into the cave and the famous "Tiled Well."

"The entrance to Run To The Mill is the Grassy Cove area of Tennessee and is located in a large sinkhole with an inflowing wet weather stream. After entering the cave, you maneuver through some tight passage before emerging into walking passage. Cavers soon have to maneuver past several climbdown to continue on, working your way through walking passage, more climbs, and some route finding. Cavers will soon encounter the top of a series of drops, that eventually lead to the 167-foot Tilted Well. At the bottom of the pit, explorers will find huge borehole stream passage, and the passage just keeps getting bigger. The passage ends in a sump."

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