🌍 Welcome to Cave Week! (June 1–7, 2025) 🌍 The purpose of Cave Week is to set aside meaningful time to recognize our connection to caves, the importance of protecting them, and how to get involved. So, let's dive in. 1) Why should you care about caves? Caves are sensitive ecosystems that support rare and endangered species. They preserve archaeological and paleontological treasures. They hold chemical clues about Earth’s past climate and can even help us understand the possibility of life on other planets. Caves are also essential to people. They attract millions of visitors each year for recreation and exploration. And many caves are part of karst systems that filter and store drinking water for communities around the world. 2) How does the NSS protect caves and karst environments? The NSS takes a hands-on, science-informed approach through a variety of programs. For example, our Conservation Task Forces (CTFs) are volunteer-led groups under the NSS Conservation Division that address real-world threats to caves and groundwater systems. That might mean: 🛠️ Responding to a vandalized cave site and working to repair the damage 🌿 Restoring sensitive cave habitats to help native species recover 💧 Collaborating with landowners and local officials to stop pollution at the source — like cleaning up illegal dump sites that threaten groundwater quality Each Task Force is uniquely tailored to local needs, and every one of them makes a difference. The NSS also manages 23 cave preserves across the United States. These preserves are protected for future generations and provide managed access for caving, scientific research, and education. Each one operates under a detailed management plan to ensure conservation comes first. 3) How can you get involved? — Become a member of the NSS: https://caves.org/join-us/ — Learn more about cave conservation: https://caves.org/conservation/ — Discover National Parks with cave and karst features: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/caves/index.htm — Share #CaveWeek! Join the vibrant virtual community of stewards, educators, and cavers celebrating #CaveWeek by sharing your photos or thoughts and engaging with the community. Image: New Year's Lake in Jewel Cave National Monument, South Dakota. Discovered by Dan Austin and Chris Pelczarski on January 1, 2017 (NPS photo) (fb)

The Vertical Training Commission (VTC) is looking for passionate volunteers to join our team for 2025! We’ve got openings for: · Regional Coordinators (Rocky Mountain + South Eastern) · Curriculum Committee Member · Webmaster · New! Recording Secretary Want to help shape the future of vertical caving safety, stay connected to the community, and make a difference behind the scenes? Apply by May 11, 2024 https://caves.org/vtc/open-positions/ #verticalcaving #cavesafety #volunteeropportunity #nss #cavingcommunity #vtc (fb)