What’s so important about caves? Caves are home, habitat, and haven for a surprising abundance of fragile resources. Resources found within compose a subterranean world of fragile life, rare habitat, and exceptional speleothems (cave formations). These special underEarth realms, both visible and microscopic, have evolved and formed over time, protected within the walls of caves. These underground environments serve as archival vaults, protecting natural and cultural history.
Uniformed visitors can easily damage cave passages and irreplaceable spleen resources! Learn to cave safely and softly. Avoid making unnecessary impacts. Join us in discovering new ways to conserve caves and karst.NSS Conservation Division
Conservation Overview
Caves and karst systems touch our lives quietly and subtly, as well as dramaticly and obviously. Out-of-sight, out-of-mind holes in the ground contain important resources of value that are worthy of ongoing attention!
Caves Need Protection
Cave walls, floors, ceilings and habitats are easily damaged. Caves hold fragile, irreplaceable natural and cultural features, including vital groundwater resources. We need to stop cave damage caused by vandals and uniformed visitors.