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. 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, a pioneering cave diver named 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., 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.

  • 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.

{| class="wikitable"

|-

! Convention Year !! Location

|-

|1967 || Black Hills, SD

|-

|1968 || Springfield, MO

|-

|1969 || Lovell, WY

|-

|1970 || State College, PA

|-

|1971 || Blacksburg, VA

|-

|1972 || White Salmon, WA

|-

|1973 || Bloomington, IN

|-

|1974 || Decorah, IA

|-

|1975 || Angels Camp, CA

|-

|1976 || Morgantown, WV

|-

|1977 || Alpena, MI

|-

|1978 || New Braunfels, TX

|-

|1979 || Pittsfield, MA

|-

|1980 || White Bear Lake, MN

|-

|1981 || Bowling Green, KY

|-

|1982 || Bend, OR

|-

|1983 || Elkins, WV

|-

|1984 || Sheridan, WY

|-

|1985 || Frankfort, KY

|-

|1986 || Tularosa, NM

|-

|1987 || Sault Ste. Marie, MI

|-

|1988 || Hot Springs, SD

|-

|1989 || Sewanee, TN

|-

|1990 || Yreka, CA

|-

|1991 || Cobleskill, NY

|-

|1992 || Salem, IN

|-

|1993 || Pendleton, OR

|-

|1994 || Brackettville, TX

|-

|1995 || Blacksburg, VA

|-

|1996 || Salida, CO

|-

|1997 || Sullivan, MO

|-

|1998 || Sewanee, TN

|-

|1999 || Twin Falls, ID

|-

|2000 || Dailey, WV

|-

|2001 || Rock Castle County, KY

|-

|2002 || Camden, ME

|-

|2003 || Porterville, CA

|-

|2004 || Marquette, MI

|-

|2005 || Huntsville, AL

|-

|2006 || Bellingham, WA

|-

|2007 || Marengo, IN

|-

|2008 || Lake City, FL

|-

|2009 || 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

|-

| 2024|| Sewanee, TN

|-

|2025

|Cobbleskill, New York

|-

|2026

|Corydon, 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

<gallery>

File:NSS Convention 2018 Banquet.jpg|2018 banquet

File:NSS Convention 2018 Board Meeting.jpg|2018 open board meeting

File:NSS Convention 2018 Speleolympics.jpg|2018 "Speleolympics" competition

</gallery>

See also

References

  • The National Speleological Society
  • Journal of Cave and Karst Studies (National Speleological Society)