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CAVING AND CAVE-RELATED ORGANIZATIONS
The linked titles on this page represent organizations that are of interest to the Texas caving community.
If you have a non-commercial link you believe is useful to cavers that you'd like to see added to the TSS website please e-mail the
webmaster.
Bat Conservation International
Bat Conservation International is based in Austin, Texas. It is an organization with the mission of conserving
the world’s bats and their ecosystems, and it sponsors extensive outreach programs devoted
to conservation, education and research.
Facebook page
Bureau of Economic Geology
The Bureau of Economic Geology is the State Geological Survey of Texas and part of the Jackson School of Geosciences
at The University of Texas at Austin, providing geological expertise throughout the state.
They also hold various state collections: Vertebrate Paleontology Collection,
Non-Vertebrate Paleontology Collections, ,
a DIgital Morphology Collection, and other
collections, such as one for Gems and Minerals, and various other library holdings
that are available online.
National Cave and Karst Research Institute
The National Cave and Karst Research Institute is a government-supported, non-profit institute dedicated
to cave and karst research, education and management, while conducting, supporting,
facilitating and promoting associated programs. Its Karst Information Portal offers a wealth of materials for free download.
Facebook page
National Speleological Society
Publications:
- NSS News (monthly)
- Journal of Cave and Karst Studies (quarterly)
- American Caving Accidents (annually)
Address: 2813 Cave Avenue, Huntsville AL 35810-4431, (256) 852-1300,
nss@caves.org
Facebook page
National Speleological Society is the primary national cave and karst organization of the United States,
with over 10,000 members and 250 affiliated grottos.
The NSS does more than any other caving organization to study, explore, and conserve
cave and karst resources; protect access to caves; encourage responsible management of caves and
their unique environments; and promote responsible caving.
NSS Internal Organizations, Regions, Sections and activities
Check out the NSS Internal Organizations link on the hope page
for other types of organizational structures and activities associated with the NSS.
What they do offers an overview. Don't overlook the annual CONVENTION and the BOOKSTORE.
They have standing interest groups (Sections) on Cave Conservation,
Speleohistory, Cave Diving, and Vertical Work, for instance.
(See the NSS Org Chart for details.)
In almost every state containing a number of caves, groups of NSS cavers actively maintain data on the caves and
pursuing further exploration. They are often organized into NSS Region that work together in projects
and pool resources. /P>
Even more importantly, you can find lists of active GROTTOS (organized caving clubs recognized by the NSS)
in your area or in places you plan to visit -- connect up!
There are a number of NSS Sections, as well --
specialized sections affiliated with the NSS. These are made up of cavers with specialized interest in caving.
Examples are Cave Diving, Geology and Surveying. Most important may well be the
NSS Conservation & Management Section. This section is
dedicated to reserving and protecting caves and karst for cavers, scientific research, and the general public;
it represents one of the most important goals of the National Speleological Society.
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
The Nature Conservancy is the leading global conservation organization focused on protecting ecologically important lands
and waters. They own and manage several properties with significant cave and karst resources in Texas,
including Eckert James River Bat Cave and Devil’s River.
Facebook page for the Texas group.
TEXAS CAVE CONSERVANCY
FYI: The Texas Cave Conservancy was CLOSED in late 2015. It had been chartered in 1994 as a non-member, non-profit,
501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the protection of caves, cave life, karst resources,
and aquifers related to caves, through management, conservation, and land acquisition. It is included here for informational purposes only.
TEXAS CAVE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
Newsletter: TCMA Passages
Address: P.O. Box 7247, Austin TX 78713
Texas Cave Management Association
The Texas Cave Management Association was chartered in 1986 as a 501(c)3
nonprofit organization dedicated to:
- The preservation for posterity of the caves and
caverns of Texas and their mineral, biological, archaeological and aesthetic contents
- to promote the conservation and study of caves within the state of Texas; and
- to promote and support any scientific and educational programs on caves in Texas.
The TCMA manages and owns several caves in Texas and the
organizations activities are solely for conservation, scientific and educational
purposes. For more information and membership applications, contact the
treasurer or visit their website.
Facebook page
TEXAS SPELEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
Newsletter: The Texas Caver
Address: C/O Texas Speleological Association , at the TSC address on this site).
All information at the group's
Facebook page
The Texas Speleological Association, formed in 1956, is a not-for-profit organization that
supports cave exploration and studies in and around the state of Texas. It is
comprised of both independent members and local grottos. The TSA is an internal
organization of the National Speleological Society and represents the greater
caving community in Texas. The organization holds business meetings 3 times a
year (one at the Texas Cavers Reunion), and sponsors caving
projects throughout the state. Its goal is connect the cavers and caving organizations
across Texas and promote cooperation and coordination of caving activities within the state.
Facebook page
TEXAS CAVERS REUNION
The Texas Cavers Reunion is an annual social event held on the third weekend in
October at locations across the state. The TCR was organized to support the TSA
by giving cavers from around Texas a chance to interact with other cavers they
might not otherwise meet. The TCR provides an eclectic weekend of cave-related
education and training activities, fun and games, equipment and publication
sales, extreme good socializing and fellowship, and the caving world's best
feed. Information on the TCR can be found in the Texas Caver and on their
Facebook page, as well as on TSA's website
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