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NSS Conservation Division

Cave and Karst Conservation

What’s so important about caves? Caves are home, habitat, and haven for a surprising abundance of fragile resources. Resources found within compose a subterranean world of fragile life, rare habitat, and exceptional speleothems (cave formations). These special underEarth realms, both visible and microscopic, have evolved and formed over time, protected within the walls of caves. These underground environments serve as archival vaults, protecting natural and cultural history.

Uniformed visitors can easily damage cave passages and irreplaceable spleen resources! Learn to cave safely and softly. Avoid making unnecessary impacts. Join us in discovering new ways to conserve caves and karst.

Free NSS News Conservation Issues


 

The NSS News is a monthly magazine published by the NSS and usually available only to NSS Members. However, the April edition of the NSS News is dedicated to cave conservation and is available free to everyone.

April 2023 NSS News
April 2022 NSS News
April 2021 NSS News
April 2020 NSS News

April 2019 NSS News
April 2018 NSS News
April 2017 NSS News

USA Cave Animal of the Year

Caves are homes for an amazing diversity of animals. Many cave species have interesting adaptations to live in a world of complete darkness. Some cave organisms adapt to very low food resources. Cave Animal of the Year seeks to increase awareness of these fascinating animals and the importance of caves as their homes.

Meet the USA Cave Animal of the Year for 2023—the Ceuthophilus Cave Cricket here

Meet the USA Cave Animal of the Year for 2022—the Little Brown Bat (Myotis Lucifugus) here

Conservation Task Forces Work

NSS Conservation Task Forces work under the coordination of the NSS Conservation Division, and focus on local cave and karst conservation issues. A CTF is a great way to gather like-minded people and make things happen in support of caves and karst systems.

A CTF may tackle a significant cave vandalism problem, or work alongside landowners and civic leaders to clean up a groundwater pollution source, or take on habitat restoration in a cave environment to enable species recovery, or promote UnderEarth Conservation during annual Earh Day activities.

CTFs may take on specific project that could take a year or two to complete, an ongoing project or series of projects that continue and maintain conservation year after year.

» LEARN MORE

Protecting Caves

  • Conservation Home Page
  • Minimum-Impact Caving
  • Conservation Policy
  • WNS & Decon
  • Help Stop Vandalism
  • Cave Laws
  • Restoration & Repair
  • Archives
  • Cave Sim

Submit Abstracts and Articles

  • How to Submit Abstracts and Articles
    Submit your cave conservation abstracts and articles.

Get Involved

  • Conservation Task Forces
    CTFs focus on local cave and karst conservation issues.
  • Volunteer Value
    Tracking and reporing time and expenses is important for Federal Funds acquisition.
  • Conservation Awards
    Recognition to grottos and groups, history and past recipients.
  • Serve on The Conservation Team
    Your help makes a difference.
  • NSS Conservation Grants
    Support cave/karst conservation research and education projects
  • Donate to Save the Caves
    Learn how your money helps to restore preserve, conserve caves and karst.
  • Helpful Links
    NSS and other Conservation Organizations.

Restoration Gallery

Conservation Overview

Caves and karst systems touch our lives quietly and subtly, as well as dramaticly and obviously. Out-of-sight, out-of-mind holes in the ground contain important resources of value that are worthy of ongoing attention!

  • Restoration
  • Preservation
  • Education
  • Follow Conservation on Facebook

Caves Need Protection

Cave walls, floors, ceilings and habitats are easily damaged. Caves hold fragile, irreplaceable natural and cultural features, including vital groundwater resources. We need to stop cave damage caused by vandals and uniformed visitors. 

  • Cave Protection Laws
  • Public Outreach
  • Cave Vandalism on Facebook

Conservation Division web pages are managed by Tony Canike.


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