Organization for exploration, conservation, and study of caves in the United States
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.[2]
Since 1974 there has been a cave diving section of the society.[3][4]
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."[5] 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.[6]
On February 6, 1974, a pioneering cave diver named Sheck Exley became the first chairman of the Cave Diving Section of the National Speleological Society.[4][3] The new section began with 21 members in 10 different states.[4]
Publications
The NSS produces a number of publications, including:
- NSS News, monthly
- Journal of Cave and Karst Studies (quarterly), formerly NSS Bulletin (from 1940 to 1995).
- Membership Manual, yearly
- American Caving Accidents, every few years
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 11 regions:
- Arizona Regional Association (ARA)
- Mid-Appalachian Region (MAR)
- Mississippi Valley-Ozark Region (MVOR)
- Northeastern Regional Organization (NRO)
- Northwest Caving Association (NCA)
- 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.[7] Most Grottos also participate in Regions that are loose associations of Grottos.[7] Regions are also an internal organization of the National Speleological Society.[7]
Grottos are required to meet certain organizational requirements as outlined by the National Speleological Society. These include:[8]
- 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.
Awards
The Society makes a series of awards, presented during its annual convention:[13]
- William J. Stephenson Award for outstanding service
- Honorary member award
- Lew Bicking award
- Victor A. Schmidt conservation award
- Science award
- Spelean arts and letters award
- Certificate of merit
- Fellow of the society
- Peter M. Hauer spelean history award
- James G. Mitchell award
- NCA best paper on a show cave award
- Certificate of appreciation
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