On December 8, 1999 I received the following e-mail with information about the blatant promotion of cave vandalism. Please read it, check out the LEGO site, and write a letter of protest (sorry, no e-mails). to LEGO. You can fax the letter for faster results.
For more information check out the Cave Conservation/Management Mailing List (see home page for joining information).
Note: Since I don't have permission to post yet, the name and identifying information have been deleted from the following.
I have something which may be somewhere between amusing and alarming to cave conservationists such as ourselves.
This week, my 9-year old son showed me his Lego Mania Magazine, dated September-October 1999 which has a full-page advertisement for their Rock Raiders toys. Pictured are two color shots of heavily decorated caves, one is obviously Lechuguilla's Chandelier Ballroom. The accompanying text states "Buried treasure is hidden all over-and-under the United States. . . . You can find some crystals in caves and many minerals in mines. . . That's why the Rock Raiders have #4940 Granite Grinders and #4970 Chrome Crushers." The Lego man in the cave has the words "Start Searching Today!" coming from his mouth.
The damage may be done, but perhaps a well-worded short letter to http://www.lego.com or LEGO Mania Magazine, P. O. Box 1625 Enfield, CT 06083-1625 would be in order with somebody of clout like yourselves. The message is clear that it is OK for kids to go and remove these crystals from caves, and even hints that such things as diamonds might be found!
If you are interested, I have the scanned image of the advertisement (it's 322K) which I'll be happy to forward.
Cave softly!