Description
What is the Jewel Cave Bat Geo Marker Pin?
This is a 7/8-inch round enameled metal lapel pin featuring a bat graphic in the “geo marker” or survey benchmark disk format. It is made by L.W. Bristol Classics, a Tennessee-based manufacturer that produces custom souvenir pins and patches for national and state parks across the country. The pin is sold through BHPFA’s store at Jewel Cave National Monument and online.
Jewel Cave National Monument has one of the most significant bat populations in the Black Hills. Several bat species use the cave as a hibernaculum, taking advantage of the stable temperatures in its more than 220 miles of surveyed passages. A bat design connects directly to what makes Jewel Cave worth visiting and protecting.
About the geo marker format
The “geo marker” or benchmark disk design references the brass survey monuments that the U.S. Geological Survey and National Geodetic Survey have installed across the country since the late 1800s to mark precise elevation and position points. The circular shape, raised border lettering, and center design all echo those physical markers. L.W. Bristol Classics applies this format to national park pins, so each one reads like a small official record of the place it represents.
About the bats at Jewel Cave
Multiple bat species use Jewel Cave. The cave’s constant 49-degree temperature and humidity provide ideal hibernation conditions. Surveys have documented species including the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) and the big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus). White-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that has killed millions of cave bats in North America since 2006, poses a documented threat to hibernating populations in the Black Hills region. BHPFA supports cave conservation programs that address this and related issues.
Specifications
- Diameter: 7/8″
- Weight: 0.2 oz
- Construction: enameled metal
- Back: standard tack pin with clutch
- Manufacturer: L.W. Bristol Classics
Who is this for?
Anyone who visited Jewel Cave and wants a specific, non-generic souvenir. The bat design is more distinctive than a cave-crystal design, and the geo marker format gives it more visual interest than a plain round emblem pin.
Wildlife enthusiasts and bat conservationists who know the white-nose syndrome issue will recognize the significance of a bat pin from a cave known as a major hibernaculum. It reads differently to them than it does to the casual gift buyer, and it works for both.
Frequently asked questions
What does the pin look like?
The pin uses the geo marker format: a round disk with raised border text and a centered bat graphic, resembling a USGS survey benchmark. The enamel fills the design with color; the reverse has a brushed metal finish and a standard tack pin post. (Note: if you have the physical pin in hand and the design differs from this description, the specifics of the border text and coloring take precedence.)
What bats live in Jewel Cave?
Several species hibernate in Jewel Cave, including the little brown bat and the big brown bat. The cave’s stable 49-degree temperature and high humidity make it a good hibernaculum. NPS resource management teams have been monitoring bat populations for white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that has affected bat colonies across the country.
Is this pin officially approved by Jewel Cave National Monument?
Yes. L.W. Bristol Classics produces the pin under an agreement with BHPFA, which is the official nonprofit cooperating association for Jewel Cave National Monument. All BHPFA merchandise sold at the monument is approved by park staff.
Can I get my Passport to Your National Parks stamped at Jewel Cave?
Yes. Jewel Cave National Monument participates in the Passport to Your National Parks program. Cancellation stamps are available at the visitor center. BHPFA carries the Passport to Your National Parks Classic Edition if you need the book.
Does buying this support Jewel Cave?
Yes. BHPFA is the official nonprofit partner of Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Scotts Bluff National Monument, and Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, as well as the Black Hills National Forest and Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands. Proceeds from every purchase support education programs, conservation projects, and visitor services at these sites.
What other Jewel Cave pins does BHPFA carry?
BHPFA carries several Jewel Cave pins and patches, including the Jewel Cave Classic Patch, Jewel Cave 200 Mile Pin, and Jewel Cave 200 Mile Lantern Pin. Browse the full selection in the Jewel Cave store section.
How do I attach a tack pin without damaging fabric?
Thread the post through the fabric from the front, then press the clutch back onto the post from the inside. For lightweight fabrics like dress shirts, place a small backing card or foam pad behind the fabric to spread the pressure. The clutch holds firmly on hat brims, jacket lapels, backpack webbing, and lanyards.
