National Speleological Society

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]

National Speleological Society

Abbreviation	NSS
Formation	Bill Stephenson, January 1, 1941; 84 years ago (1941-01-01)
Purpose	Dedicated to the scientific study of caves and karst; protecting caves and their natural contents through conservation, ownership, stewardship, and public education; and promoting responsible cave exploration and fellowship among those interested in caves.[1]
Location	Huntsville, Alabama, US
Area served	210 Grottos 12 Geographical Regions 15 Specialty Sections 11 Cave Surveys
Membership	10,000
President	Kristine Ebrey
Main organ	Board of Governors
Affiliations	American Association for the Advancement of Science, International Union of Speleology
Website	caves.org

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.

Convention

The NSS hosts a yearly convention, which is generally held in June. Grottos take turns hosting the convention.

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[9]
2020	Virtual[10]
2021	Virtual[10]
2022	Rapid City, SD
2023	Elkins, WV[11]
2024	Sewanee, TN

Awards

The Society makes a series of awards, presented during its annual convention:^[12]

• 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

Photos

• 
  2018 banquet
• 
  2018 open board meeting
• 
  2018 "Speleolympics" competition

See also

• Caving – Recreational pastime of exploring cave systems
• Speleology – Science of cave and karst systems
• Cave diving – Diving in water-filled caves