The following comprises a list of helpful links but is, in no way, intended to be comprehensive.
American Cave Conservation Association
The American Cave Conservation Association relocated their national headquarters to Horse Cave in 1987 with the goal of restoring Hidden River Cave and establishing a museum and educational center at the site. Today, thousands of tourist visitors and school children annually tour Hidden River Cave and the American Cave Museum at the cave's entrance. The cave, which has been called "the greatest cave restoration success story in the United States" is now open year-round to visitors.
British Caving Association (BCA)
The British Caving Association is the Governing body for Underground Exploration in the United Kingdom. It represents individuals and groups with a genuine interest in caves, karst and associated phenomena, whether from a strictly sporting viewpoint, a scientific viewpoint, or a combination of both.
British Cave Research Association (BCRA)
BCRA's objective is to promote the study of caves and associated phenomena. It attains this object by supporting cave & karst research; by encouraging original exploration (both in the UK and on expeditions overseas); by collecting and publishing speleological information; maintaining a library; and organising educational and scientific conferences and meetings.
Caving Canada
This site started in April 1996 to promote cave conservation in Canada and has gone from a single page site to one over 100 pages. It's a collection of articles and stories written by cavers for cavers and the general public.
International Union of Speleology (UIS)
The Union Internationale de Spéléologie (UIS) is the international body for caving and speleology. Formed in 1965, its voting members consist of a delegate from each member country. This delegate represents the country's cavers and speleologists, rather than its national body(s). An elected Bureau runs the affairs of UIS between the 4-yearly General Assemblies held at the International Congresses. The actual speleological work of UIS is done by the members of its Commissions and Working Groups, which are open to everyone who is interested. Listing of National Speleological Organisations http://tinyurl.com/zfpdv96
Karst Information Portal (KPI)
A digital library linking scientists, managers, and explorers with quality information resources concerning karst environments.
Karst Waters Institute (KWI)
The Karst Waters Institute is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit institution whose mission is to improve the fundamental understanding of karst water systems through sound scientific research and the education of professionals and the public. The result will be increased knowledge of the need for as well as the more effective management of this vital water resource.
National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI)
The National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI) is a non-profit government-supported institute headquartered in the City of Carlsbad, New Mexico. Its goals are to conduct, support, facilitate, and promote programs in cave and karst research, education, environmental management, and data acquisition and sharing.
National Caves Association
Founded in 1965 by a small group of private show cave owners from across the United States, the National Caves Association has been encouraging the public to discover the underground wonders of America's show caves for close to 50 years. From a small group of about 30 show cave owners in 1965, the Association has grown over the years to a membership of over 80 of the best show caves across the United States, Bermuda and Barbados.
National Cave Rescue Commission
The National Cave Rescue Commission (NCRC) received its charter from the National Speleological Society in 1979, and serves as the Society’s representative on issues of cave rescue training and operations. It is a volunteer group developed primarily to train and track cave rescue resources throughout the United States. The NCRC is specifically NOT a functional cave rescue team, rather it provides training and development opportunities for persons and organizations engaged in cave rescue activities. Thus, while many of the persons associated with the NCRC perform rescues, they do this as members of their local rescue squads, civil defense units, or cave rescue groups.
National Speleological Society (NSS)
The National Speleological Society is committed to further the exploration, study, and protection of caves and their environments, and foster fellowship among cavers.
Speleogenesis Scientific Network
An official project of the International Speleological Union’s (UIS) Commission on Karst Hydrogeology and Speleogenesis and the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) Commission on Karst Hydrogeology. The project’s goal is to promote scientific research and cooperation in karst hydrogeology with special emphasis on Speleogenesis.
U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Caves & Karst Resources
The goal of the Forest Service’s cave and karst resource management program is to protect and maintain the biologic, geologic, mineralogical, paleontological, hydrologic, cultural, educational, scientific, and recreational values of caves and karst resources.
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Karst Interest Group
The mission of the Karst Interest Group is to encourage and support interdisciplinary collaboration and technology transfer among USGS scientists working in karst areas. Additionally, the Karst Interest Group encourages cooperative studies between the different disciplines of the USGS and other Department of Interior agencies and university researchers or research institutes.
U.S. National Park Service Cave & Karst Resources
As stewards and managers of world-class resources, the national cave and karst program helps parks to identify and understand these mostly hidden resources and provides guidance and education on the conservation, protection, inventory, monitoring, and study of these oft-times very complex resources.
White Nose Syndrome (WNS)
White-nose syndrome is a disease caused by the fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, that is killing hibernating bats in eastern North America. WNS was first documented at four sites in eastern New York 2007. It is spreading rapidly and as of 2016 has been confirmed in bat hibernation sites in 26 states and 5 Canadian provinces: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina,Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Quebec. Pseudogymnoascus destructans has been found in four additional states: Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska and Oklahoma. Seven bat species have been confirmed with white-nose syndrome and the fungus that causes the disease, Pseudogymnoascus destructans (P.d.), has been found on an additional five species with no confirmation of the disease.
The World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) Cave and Karst Specialist Group
WCPA is the world's premier network of protected area expertise. It is administered by IUCN's Global Programme on Protected Areas and has over 1,700 members, spanning 140 countries. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental organization. The IUCN helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges. Its work focuses on valuing and conserving nature, ensuring effective and equitable governance of its use, and deploying nature-based solutions to global challenges in climate, food and development. IUCN supports scientific research, manages field projects all over the world, and brings governments, NGOs, the UN and companies together to develop policy, laws and best practice.
Karst Division Nomination Form 2019
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