The National Speleological Society (NSS) is an organization formed in 1941 to advance the exploration, conservation, study, and understanding of caves in the United States. Originally headquartered in Washington D.C., its current offices are in Huntsville, Alabama. The organization engages in the research and scientific study, restoration, exploration, and protection of caves. It has more than 10,000 members in more than 250 grottos.
Since 1974 there has been a cave diving section of the society.
History The Speleological Society of the District of Columbia (SSDC) was formed on May 6, 1939 by Bill Stephenson. In the fall of 1940, the officers of the SSDC drafted a proposed constitution that would transform the SSDC into the National Speleological Society. On January 24, 1941, Stephenson sent a letter to all members of the SSDC announcing that "on January 1 the Society was reorganized as a national organization."Caving in America, National Speleological Society, Huntsville, AL. 1991. The New England Grotto was the first NSS Grotto. It was chartered in 1941 with Clay Perry as president and Ned Anderson as vice president.
On February 6, 1974, pioneering cave diver Sheck Exley became the first chairman of the Cave Diving Section of the National Speleological Society. The new section began with 21 members in 10 different states.
Publications The NSS produces a number of publications, including: NSS News (monthly) American Caving Accidents (annually) Journal of Cave and Karst Studies (quarterly), formerly The NSS Bulletin (from 1940 to 1995). Convention Guidebooks Journal of Spelean History Nylon Highway No longer produced: Speleo Digest (from 1956 to 2003) Membership Manual
The NSS's list of long and deep caves was kept until 2022 by surveyor and cartographer Robert Gulden.
Organization
The organization is currently divided into 12 regions:
Arizona Regional Association (ARA) Mid-Appalachian Region (MAR) Mississippi Valley-Ozark Region (MVOR) Northeastern Regional Organization (NRO) Northwest Caving Association (NCA) Ohio Valley Region (OVR) Rocky Mountain Region Southeastern Regional Association (SERA) Southwestern Region (SWR) Texas Speleological Association (TSA) Virginia Region (VAR) Western Region
Within these regions are local chapters known as grottos. The grottos carry out the local-level recreational and conservation-related business of the NSS. They generally function as the local NSS chapter/club. Many Grottos however operate in areas outside of their local area, with many operating in several states. Most Grottos also participate in Regions that are loose associations of Grottos. Regions are also an internal organization of the National Speleological Society.
Grottos are required to meet certain organizational requirements as outlined by the National Speleological Society. These include: A constitution and bylaws that are submitted to, and approved by, the NSS. A minimum of at least five members of the Society. It is NSS policy that full membership in a Grotto requires NSS membership. However, in practice, this is often not the case.
Convention The NSS hosts a yearly convention, which is generally held in June. Grottos take turns hosting the convention. Convention Year Location1967 Black Hills, SD1968 Springfield, MO 1969 Lovell, WY1970 State College, PA 1971 Blacksburg, VA1972 White Salmon, WA1973 Bloomington, IN1974 Decorah, IA1975 Angels Camp, CA1976 Morgantown, WV1977 Alpena, MI1978 New Braunfels, TX1979 Pittsfield, MA1980 White Bear Lake, MN 1981 Bowling Green, KY 1982 Bend, OR 1983 Elkins, WV 1984 Sheridan, WY1985 Frankfort, KY 1986 Tularosa, NM1987 Sault Ste. Marie, MI1988 Hot Springs, SD 1989 Sewanee, TN1990 Yreka, CA 1991 Cobleskill, NY1992 Salem, IN1993 Pendleton, OR1994 Brackettville, TX1995 Blacksburg, VA1996 Salida, CO1997 Sullivan, MO1998 Sewanee, TN1999 Twin Falls, ID2000 Dailey, WV 2001 Rock Castle County, KY 2002 Camden, ME 2003 Porterville, CA 2004 Marquette, MI 2005 Huntsville, AL 2006 Bellingham, WA 2007 Marengo, IN2008 Lake City, FL2009 Kerrville, TX 2010 Essex Junction, VT 2011 Glenwood Springs, CO 2012 Lewisburg, WV 2013 Shippensburg, PA 2014 Huntsville, AL 2015 Waynesville, MO 2016 Ely, NV 2017 Rio Rancho, NM 2018 Helena, MT 2019 Cookeville, TN 2020 Virtual 2021 Virtual 2022 Rapid City, SD 2023 Elkins, WV 2024 Sewanee, TN2025Cobbleskill, New York2026Corydon, Indiana
Awards The Society makes a series of awards, presented during its annual convention:
William J. Stephenson Award for Outstanding Service Honorary Member Award Lew Bicking Award Science Award Victor A. Schmidt Conservation Award Spelean Arts and Letters Award Certificate of Merit Fellow of the Society James G. Mitchell Award Outstanding Landowner-Caver Relations Award Peter M. Hauer Spelean History Award Steve Hudson Award for Cave Rescue Group Conservation Award Alvin McDonald Award
Photos
See also
References
External links The National Speleological Society Journal of Cave and Karst Studies (National Speleological Society)