National Speleological Society

National Speleological Society
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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 located in Washington D.C., its current offices are in Huntsville, Alabama. The organization engages in mapping, cleaning, scientific study, purchase and gating of caves.

Contents

Organization

The organization is currently divided into 12 regions:

  • Arizona Region (sometimes included in the Southwestern Region)
  • Mid-Appalachian Region (MAR)
  • Mississippi Valley-Ozark Region (MVOR)
  • Northeast Regional Organization (NRO)
  • Northwest Regional Organization and the Northwest Caving Association (NCA)
  • Ohio Valley Region
  • Rocky Mountain Region
  • Southeastern Regional Association
  • Southwestern Region
  • Texas Speleological Association
  • 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.

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, Bill Stephenson sent a letter to all members of the SSDC announcing that "on January 1 the Society was reorganized as a national organization."[1]

Publications

The NSS produces a number of publications, including:

See also

References

  1. ^ Caving in America, National Speleological Society, Huntsville, AL. 1991. ISBN 0-9615093-7-6

External links