By: Cave Spelunking
The following statement is on the National Speleological Society ( NSS ) website:
"The National Speleological Society believes: that caves have unique scientific, recreational, and scenic values; that these values are endangered by both carelessness and intentional vandalism; that these values, once gone, cannot be recovered; and that the responsibility for protecting caves must be assumed by those who study and enjoy them."
Those of us who are seriously interested in caves and their fragile ecosystems couldn't agree more. Caves are fascinating. Going caving is one of the fastest-growing pastimes in America today. As more and more people go into caves, more and more items are removed from them and left in them. The National Speleological Society motto and the motto of all responsible cavers is:
- Take nothing but pictures.
- Leave nothing but footprints.
- Kill nothing but time.
The ecosystems of caves have formed over millions and millions of years. The rock formations are breathtaking. The life in the depths of caves is like nothing that's ever been seen on the surface. Protecting this environment is of the utmost importance.
The National Speleological Society is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1941. It was originally located in Washington, D.C., but the headquarters are now in Huntsville, Alabama.
The National Speleological Society is divided into regions. Within the regional divisions, there are "grottos." Grottos are local-level divisions of the National Speleological Society that are responsible for local-level caving issues and conservation-related business.
The National Speleological Society maintains an excellent website where caving information is available free. Brochures can be ordered, and there is contact information as well.
The National Speleological Society is involved in all levels of caving and membership is open to weekend spelunkers, advanced and professional cavers and speleogists.
Rock On & Keep Spelunking...
Cave Spelunking.
Posts
Does anyone know the major difference between the formation of caves vs. the formation of sinkholes?
ReplyDeleteif anyone has a map of hughes cave in alabama, could you help me out and send it to haydenshutt@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteAvondale Cave system in B'ham is currently partially open due to const. the cave are goin to be covered over by Aug.Very much history here from indian drawings to Destoto,bootlegger, and counterfeiters operated in the caves, it opens as a river and flows to the warrior river.please be interested with me in saving this history, read in a book called history of avondale park, by Catherine Greene Browne for more research.
ReplyDeleteI live by Hughes cave and go there all the time. It's sad now because I noticed there were no bats in the cave when I went yesterday compared to last time I went a year ago when there were hundreds.
ReplyDeleteThis post is to Ashley can you please email me at davis_joshua22@yahoo.com so that I can get some information about hughes cave that I am doing for a project.
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