Organisation, Australian Army, Karst & Geodiversity Unit. Through its tax-deductible public fund and occasional government grants e.g. from the Natural Heritage Trust, ASF conducts programs and projects to raise community awareness of karst-related environmental issues, especially those of national or regional significance. ASF does not receive any ongoing public funding, and has no paid staff and the members act in a purely voluntary capacity. In addition, by the same means and by persuasion and example it encourages member societies and individuals to undertake practical cave conservation and protection measures in co-operation with owners and managers. ASF and members played a leading role in environmental issues relating to caves and karst at Colong, Bungonia and Yessabah (NSW), Gordon-Franklin, Precipitous Bluff, Exit Cave and Mt Cripps (Tas) Mount Etna (Qld), The Potholes (Vic) and Sellicks Hill (SA). ASF took court action objecting to mining exploration at Cape Range (WA) and Mt Cripps (Tas) and Timor, NSW. As well, ASF was retained as consultant on specific management strategy issues at Jenolan (NSW), Nullarbor Plain (SA/WA), Yallingup (WA), Hastings Cave and Exit Cave (Tas), Cutta Cutta (NT), and elsewhere. Recent environmental issues In the last few years ASF has: Formally conducted objections in Mining Warden Courts to mining leases at Cape Range (WA), Mt Cripps (Tas) Made submissions to land managers on karst environmental issues at Yanchep National Park (WA), Borenore Caves (NSW), Jenolan Caves (NSW), Hastings Caves (Tas), Mt Field National Park (Tas), Regional Forest Agreement process (Tas), Cooleman (NSW). Fenced off remnants of karst vegetation (Cliefden NSW; Canobla, NSW) Conducted a rural community workshop on karst on private landholdings (Stuart Town) Been an invited participant at an IUCN seminar on limestone quarrying (Bathurst, NSW) Contributed to an educational kit published by the Australian Geological Survey Organisation Persuaded the Australian Army adventure training school to rewrite its training manual to include a conservation policy supplied by ASF (Hobart and Kapooka) Co-sponsored Limestone Coast – First International Workshop on Ramsar Subterranean Wetlands, Naracoorte Caves World Heritage Area 2004 Initiated dialogue with the aboriginal community, including hosting a training session relating to recognition and conservation of indigenous sites on karst and in caves Provided funding for an appeal to the NSW Land and Environment Court relating to a limestone quarry approval near Timor Caves, NSW Organised the 14th International Symposium and field trips on Vulcanospeleology for the International Union of Speleology (UIS) Commission on Volcanic