Help Protect Missouri’s Hidden Treasure: The Moore Cave System
Join Ozark Land Trust in safeguarding one of Missouri’s most biologically significant cave systems and endangered species.
Ozark Land Trust is working to conserve an 80-acre property in Perry County, Missouri, that holds the entrance to the remarkable Moore Cave System. This land is critical to the health of the cave’s fragile ecosystem, and its protection is urgently needed to fend off nearby development threats.
Missouri Cave Systems: A Natural Legacy
The Moore Cave System spans over 26 mapped miles and ranks among Missouri’s top ten most biologically significant caves. It’s part of the Perryville Karst Landscape, known for its rich biodiversity and complex cave networks.
This property contains 8 sinkholes and a cave entrance, serving as a vital recharge area for the cave’s headwaters. Conserving this parcel is key to maintaining clean, healthy water flows and protecting the cave’s delicate ecosystem. But with new housing development just one parcel away, immediate action is critical to prevent irreversible degradation.
Species Protected
The Moore Cave System is a sanctuary for several rare and endangered species:
- Grotto Sculpin (Cottus specus) – A cave-adapted fish found only in Perry County, Missouri, listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in 2013 due to water pollution and habitat degradation.
- Missouri Cave Snail
- Northern Long-eared Bat
- Gray Bat
- Endangered Tri-colored Bat
Ozark Land Trust plans to restore the property to native habitat, preventing erosion, reducing pollution, and ensuring long-term protection for these vulnerable species.
Historic Artifacts
The Moore Cave System isn’t just biologically significant—it’s also a treasure trove of prehistoric history. Within its passages lie:
- Well-preserved jaguar tracks from the Pleistocene era
- Fossil deposits of ancient species such as mastodon, giant sloth, bison, prehistoric camel, and Eurohippus horse
Protecting this site will preserve these invaluable historical features for future generations to study and appreciate.
If you’d like to know more, or would like to contribute, please contact Larry Levin, OLT Director for more information.
