Dear friends, building on strong foundation, the Clean Up The Dark database has recently grown beyond its initial scope. Two important regional datasets have been added: from the Basque Country, 29 documented polluted locations provide a valuable insight into the pressures affecting karst systems in this region. Meanwhile, a substantial contribution from the Database commission of the French Federation of Speleology brings 320 recorded sites into the register, significantly expanding both the geographic coverage and the scale at which patterns of pollution can be observed.
These additions underline what this project is all about: shared knowledge, collective responsibility, and a clearer understanding of the challenges facing underground environments. Every new dataset fills gaps on the map and helps reveal the true extent of the problem and the urgency to address it.
If you are part of a caving group, research institution, or simply someone with knowledge of impacted sites, now is the time to contribute. Share your data, get involved, and help turn this growing register into a powerful tool for protection and change. We encourage all member states or local caving organizations to continue contributing their data to this ongoing effort.