Association for Mexican Cave Studies
The AMCS has existed, mostly informally, since 1963, and is dedicated to the exploration, study, and conservation of the caves of Mexico, chiefly through a program of publications. There is no formal membership list. Anyone who shares the goals of the AMCS and pursues them with proper respect for the caves and people of Mexico may consider himself a member.
            Over the past eleven years, the AMCS has published 1550 pages of its annual magazine, the AMCS Activities Newsletter, 1753 pages in twelve AMCS Bulletins, and 2109 pages in ten AMCS Reprints. Over two thousand pages of older, out-of-print AMCS publications have been scanned and made available on CD. Our catalog is at amcs-pubs.org.
Editor: Bill Mixon, NSS 5728 OS AL. Advisory Board: Peter Sprouse, NSS 14445 LB, William Russell, NSS 4357 HM CM, and James Reddell, NSS 4697 SC CM. Contacts: AMCS, PO Box 7672, Austin, Texas 78713, editor@amcs-pubs.org, sales@amcs-pubs.org.

Caves of Montana Project
Caves of Montana is a nonprofit project of the NSS dedicated to finding, exploring, and surveying caves in the state of Montana. The goal of the project is to study and help preserve these valuable resources. The project places particular emphasis on documenting all work done so that other individuals and groups may benefit from the findings. Membership is open to anyone interested in making a positive contribution to Montana Caves and there are no dues.
            In 2009, Caves of Montana project members once again focused a considerable amount of time on caves within the Bob Marshall and Scapegoat Wilderness areas.  Many new caves were found and mapped in this area.  Work was also done to resurvey existing caves and explore unchecked leads.  The caves in Glacier National Park continue to be inventoried and documented mainly by members of the Bigfork High School Cave Club.  Members of the project also continued to find and explore previously undocumented caves in the Little Belt and Big Snowy Mountains.

Project Director: Jason Ballensky, jason@ballensky.com.

Caves of Tabasco Project
The Caves of Tabasco Project is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to the exploration of caves in the area and collaboration with local cavers and scientists doing cave-related research. We attempt to assure the information generated by the project is kept by the local communities.
            The Caves of Tabasco Project led a 10 day expedition in February of 2009.  The goal was to continue exploration and discovery of caves in south-central Tabasco.  Working with Mexican archaeologist, Eladio Terreros Espinosa, 4 caves were surveyed and added to the project’s database.  A trip report of the findings and completed cave maps were published in the 2009 AMCS Activities Newsletter. Other activities that happened during 2009 are:
- Dr. Amos Frumkin, Professor of Geography at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, visited the Villa Luz cave during July 2009.
-The BBC filming crew took shoots of the Villa Luz Cave and Dr. Diana Northup as part of the program: “Seven wonders of the solar system” from November 21th to 23rd, 2009.
-The web page of the Caves of Tabasco Project started to be developed by Tone Garot and Laura Rosales at: http://www.garot.com/Tabasco/
The web page main objective is to build an accessible media for the Project members, the Tabasco community and any person interested containing a compilation of the information that has been produced related to the Caves of Tabasco Project
Contact: Jim Pisarowicz (President), pisarowicz@alumni.hamline.edu; Laura Rosales-Lagarde (Science Director), lrosaleslagarde@gmail.com.

Coldwater Cave Project
New survey and resurvey efforts in Coldwater Cave were supported by Coldwater Project participants from Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois and Wisconsin in 2009. Additional cave rescue equipment was donated and permanently installed on site.
The ongoing study of the cave climate and the karst hydrology of the Coldwater basin was updated as all data loggers were replaced with new higher data capacity units to continue monitoring water temperature, and now air temperature as well, at several sites within the cave and at numerous sites on the surface. Preliminary findings were presented at a karst and climate conference in Slovenia earlier this year. A manuscript detailing the current findings from this long term project is currently in preparation for publication.
A study examining specific microfauna in Coldwater Cave by Hazel Barton is currently in press.
Contact: Mike Lace (27245), Coldwater Cave Project Coordinator, michael-lace@uiowa.edu; John Lovaas (39799), Coldwater Cave Project Science Coordinator, jlovaas@mc.net.

GypKaP – The New Mexico Gypsum Karst Project
The Southwestern Region sponsors the New Mexico Gypsum Karst Project (GypKaP), an NSS project to further the knowledge of the gypsum caves and karst lands in New Mexico.  This project is the largest of its kind in the United States, and has drawn cavers from as far away as New Hampshire, Italy, and even Ukraine to its project weekends.  The GypKaP project began in 1987 for the purpose of exploring, mapping, studying, and understanding one of the largest, least-explored, and least-understood karst regions in the United States.  Most of the GypKaP study area is located on (under) private land in New Mexico, and land access entry to those caves is prohibited except during specific (and landowner-approved) project weekends. Since the inception of the project, over 150,000 feet of cave survey has been completed, and more than 150 new caves discovered and added to the New Mexico Cave Inventory.
            Contact: Blake N. Jordan, GypKaP Director at blandevoid@comcast.net, 6109 Concordia Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111; 505-362-0101 cell; 505-260-1026 home; 505-881-8181 office.

Hawai'i Speleological Survey
The Hawai`i Speleological Survey (HSS) is concerned with the systematic study, survey, and conservation of Hawai`i caves and maintains a database of information about these caves at the USGS Hawai`i Volcano Observatory in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Members of the HSS work with several federal and state agencies as well as with private landowners in conducting their work.
            HSS members were quite productive over the last year with cave exploration and survey continuing in numerous areas of Hawaii.  Some high points are summarized in the following report:
Kipuka Kanohina:  Don Coons and Mike Warner report continuing survey in the Kipuka Kanohina Cave System with additional survey in recent years bringing the overall surveyed footage up to 28.7 miles, with the main cave accounting for 23.2 of those miles.   An additional 3.1 miles has been surveyed in segments extending downslope from the main cave.  With additional survey/exploration planned for 2010, this impressive cave area will surely continue to grow.
Manu Nui Cave System:  Peter and Ann Bosted report on the survey of Manu Nui Cave (2003-2009) in HSS Newsletter 26.  This 2.15 mile cave was also the site of some interesting geological work by Fred Luiszer.
North Kona/Hualalai: Doug and Hazel Medville and Nevin and Judy Davis report on the survey of 23 caves having a total survey length of 25,631 feet. The major caves in which surveys were conducted are Breached Wall Cave with 5894 feet surveyed in 2009 (we did about the same amount on our trips there in Dec. 2008), Two Owls Cave (below Pueo Cave) with 7873 feet surveyed in 2009, and Upper Owl/Display Cave with 2105 feet surveyed in 2009.
Mauna Loa: Steve Smith and Doug Medville report on this ongoing project with 7,840 feet surveyed in 16 caves during 2009.  Extensive ridgewalking with documentation of surface features was also undertaken east of relay junction and work in the area continues.  Notable caves include Kuo Cave (1,090 feet) and I’iwi Puka. 
HSS members also supplied information and opinion in the preliminary stages of a proposed charter school development that could affect Kaumana Cave near Hilo.  Discussion continues on this matter.
We continue to work with land managers in various State agencies (DOFAW and Parks), staff in The Nature Conservancy, and developers to identify lava tube resources and document the location and extent of these caves.
            The HSS provides free services to owners and managers of Hawai`i caves as well as to researchers. Examples include databases of entrance locations, surveys, inventories of cave contents, and management recommendations. 
Contact:  Dr. Stephen Smith (Chair), amygdala1881@yahoo.com; Hazel Medville (Treasurer), hazelmedville@verizon.net.

Hellhole Project

The Hellhole Bat Project is a joint effort of the National Speleological Society, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and West Virginia Division of Natural Resources to plan and implement a trip into Hellhole Cave, Pendleton County, West Virginia, the state's largest bat hibernaculum.  The cave is important on a national level as it is designated critical habitat for two federally endangered species, the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) and Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus), with nearly half of the known animals of this latter species roosting in this cave. The goals of the project are to 1) conduct a count of the number of bats present 2) assess the impact of White Nose Syndrome on the bats and 3) photo-document the bats, with a minimum of human disturbance.  The project took place February 20, 2010, and documented a major loss of some 56,000 Little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus), but significant increases in both federally listed species: Indianas up over 5,000 (>50%), and VBEs over 10,000, also doubling. Significantly, the VBE's showed no signs of WNS, despite significant evidence in the other species present. Contact: Peter Youngbaer wnsliaison@caves.org

Illinois Speleological Survey
Founded in 1995, the Illinois Speleological Survey’s (ISS) primary purpose is to protect, conserve, locate, record, explore, and study the caves and karst resources in the State of Illinois.  To work towards these goals, the ISS host activities, seminars, and lecturers.  Furthermore, the ISS manages data (cave locations, maps, and other data) to support cavers and professional researchers equally, as well as providing field opportunities to groups and individuals with an interest in karst research or conservation.
 Mapping work and research by ISS members continued in the sinkhole plain karst of southwestern Illinois. The ISS-Shawnee National Forest project is on hold until further notice, due to concerns about the possible spread of White Nose Syndrome (WNS) into Illinois caves. Projects, contacts, membership, and other information about the ISS can be found on their Web site above or by contacting the ISS President, John Lovaas, jlovaas@mc.net.

Isla de Mona Project
The Isla de Mona Project was formed to document the numerous cave and karst features that dot the interior plateau and ring the rugged coastline of this island preserve.
            Three project members participated in the 2009 Mona expedition, focusing the detailed mapping and inventory efforts on the cave resources of the western coast:
1) The team added 409 meters to the survey of Cueva Murcielagos which is now complete.
2) The survey of Cueva Dona Gena Arriba was completed (459 meters total survey) while the survey in progress within Cueva Aleman was field checked.
4) The team located and mapped 42 new small caves at varying elevations along the western coastline, expanding the speleogenic inventory to include numerous talus and littoral cave structures.
3) Additional bat roosts were documented in several caves as well as expanding the photodocumentation and inventory of cultural materials, including Pre-Columbian and 19th century guano mining remnants.
4) Reconnaissance for the upcoming 2010 expedition including locating routes to and performing preliminary inventories of the following objectives:
Cueva Capitan. This cave features over 2km of a complex network of cave passages.
Cueva Agua de Sardinera: This cave features multiple levels and it has been
reported that one of the lower levels reaches water. This will be one of our
primary objectives for next year.
Cueva Virgencita: This cave is likely connected to Cueva Agua de Sardinera - the upcoming survey will confirm this.
 
Contact: Mike Lace (Project Coordinator), mlace@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu.

The Northeast Sump Exploration Team
The Northeast Sump Exploration Team (NEST) makes use of advanced cave diving techniques to explore caves that require the negotiation of water-filled passages to gain access to them. Membership is broken down into two categories, Diver Explorer and Support Team. The team conducts original exploration and scientific research in caves located primarily in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. NEST surveys and further documents these sites through the use of still and video techniques as well as engaging in biological surveys and water sampling. The team is available to provide support to scientific researchers in the region who can benefit from NEST’s ability to access these unique environments. NEST is also available to support the NCRC in situations involving flooded passage and beyond sump rescues.
In 2008 NEST continued its exploration activities at several sites throughout the area, with new work in the Friar’s Hole area of West Virginia. Other team accomplishments for the year include the completion of a comprehensive chapter on sump diving techniques for a new text on cave diving for a soon-to-be-published NSS Cave Diving Section book. Team Director: Joseph Kaffl, SUMPDIVER@verizon.com, 443-512-8708.

Quintana Roo Speleological Survey
            Founded in 1990, the Quintana Roo Speleological Survey (QRSS) maintains a current catalog of cave survey information for the underwater and dry caves of Quintana Roo Mexico. As an official project of the National Speleological Society, we support conservation, safe exploration, and systematic documentation of these unique caves.
Our present area of interest is focused on the coastal region of Quintana Roo; this comprises an 8500 square kilometer (3280 square mile) area. It is bordered on the north by the municipality of Puerto Morelos, extending south to Chumpon Pueblo, and west to the state border with Yucatán. Our records integrate cave entrances and cave survey data utilizing 74 kilometers of land surveys and over 580 Global Positioning Service (GPS) waypoints. Both land surveys and georeferenced control points allow us to document regional karst features and trends between 185 independent underwater caves and cave systems. At present, these caves contain over 827 kilometers (514 miles) of surveyed underwater passage.
This was a notable year for new explorations and growth within existing caves. A total of 23 new underwater caves were reported to QRSS during 2009. All but nine of these caves are now connected to older cave systems, where caves such as Sistema Sac Actun and Sistema Xunaan Ha witnessed short periods of rapid growth. Explorations within existing caves produced many exciting results. New areas were discovered in Sistema Tux Kupaxa, Sistema Toh-Ha, Sistema Actun Hu, and Sistema Dos Pisos. In total, explorations in 2009 increased our survey database by over 74 kilometers (45 miles) of surveyed underwater passage. QRSS e-mail contact: Jim Coke, chac@consolidated.net.

Roppel Cave Project
        The Roppel Cave Project is administered by the Central Kentucky Karst Coalition (CKKC), which is dedicated to supporting research, survey, and exploration in this large section of Mammoth Cave.  Roppel Cave is an 88‑mile section of Mammoth Cave, the world's longest cave, and the CKKC works in cooperation with the Cave Research Foundation (CRF) in overall coordination.  Principal efforts include support of exploration and survey; populating of the joint CRF-CKKC archive server of scanned survey notes, photos, and digital maps; and cartographic support.  Trips are either ad hoc, or planned in conjunction with CRF Expedition activities at Hamilton Valley.
       Please contact the CKKC Director, James Borden, jimborden@gmail.com, for additional information, or visit the Project's Google Group site at http://groups.google.com/group/ckkc to inquire about joining the mailing list.  Or, write to Jim Borden, 2032 NE Katsura St, Issaquah, WA 98029.

The Speleosphere Project
            The project goals are to explore and survey caves, systematically document the findings, and promote the conservation of caves and their surrounding environments. Currently we are in the process of exploring and surveying caves in Guatemala, mostly in the departments of Alta Verapaz, Quiché, and Huehuetenango. Project cavers have mapped previously unexplored caves, and also caves that were already developed for tourism. We worked with landowners and communities to develop ways to preserve the caves, and protect the surrounding environments. The project is in the process of developing a database to record more than 600 known caves and karst features that have been documented in the country. The goal of the database is to consolidate all the cave data into one organized source of information. Eventually, the database will be integrated into a GIS program to include surface topology.
            We went to Honduras in April 2009 to try to connect a conglomerate river cave (insurgence) to the resurgence. We weren’t able to make a physical connection (not enough time and resources, and the connection was sumped anyway), but we did a positive dye trace. We are working on an article of our trip for the NSS News. We also visited Guatemala for a brief time. We relocated some cave entrances so we could add GPS locations to the database, and we surveyed a cave we explored in 2008. We found several nice leads that need to be explored and surveyed, so we are planning a bigger trip in April 2010.
Contact: Matt Oliphant, bf821@lafn.org.

Texas Speleological Survey
                TSS is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to the management of Texas cave data in support of research, exploration, education, and conservation. Its office is housed at The University of Texas at Austin, which supports TSS through the Texas Memorial Museum. During the past year, TSS has been active developing new publications on Texas caving regions. Currently over 9,500 Texas caves and karst records; of these 4,500 are caves. TSS has two publication series. TSS Bulletins are reports on caves and karst regions in Texas, include updated reprints of past publications, and TSS Monographs are for major works on Texas karst, including reformatted and quality-printed dissertations and theses. A regular column in the Texas Speleological Association's newsletter, an active Internet web site, office data-cataloguing work sessions, and an annual technical workshop are all ways that TSS is supporting and encouraging Texas caving, while generating more information for its database. Cave inventory projects are conducted using Texas cavers under agreements with state and federal agencies. The TSS website has been selected by the SciLinks program of the National Science Teachers Association as a quality educational website. For more information, contact TSS at: PRC 176/R4000, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712-1100. You may also call the office 512-475-8802 or the President Ron Ralph at 512-280-9648. The TSS Web site is organized to fulfill data requests from cavers and interested parties. One link gives contact information for the 15 current Board of Directors.

Tongass Cave Project
          The Tongass Cave Project is dedicated to the discovery, exploration, survey, and conservation of caves in Southeastern Alaska. Presently the group has been encouraging discovery and conservation of more caves in Southeastern Alaska, and has a working relationship with Wrangell-St. Elias National Park to help them inventory cave and karst resourses. Contacts are Steve Lewis, tenakeetwo@yahoo.com and Kevin Allred, kevin.allred@hotmail.com.

Ukrainian American Youth Caver Exchange Foundation Project
       The Ukrainian American Youth Caver Exchange Foundation (UAYCEF), in cooperation with The Ukrainian Regional Union of Horizontal Speleology, seeks to both foster relationships between the caving communities of America and Ukraine, and to promote the exchange of speleological Related information between both countries with an emphasis on exploratory, cartographic and vertical techniques and skills. In pursuance of its goals UAYCEF operates a student exchange program, and leads annual trips to both Western Ukraine, home of the world's giant horizontal gypsum caves, and Crimea, an area well known for its deep limestone pits. Local cavers from the Kiev and Ternopol areas join trip participants on their explorations, and provide any needed instruction in Eastern European Rebelay Techniques on all Crimea trips.
To date there have been fourteen expeditions to the Ukraine, with occasional side trips to Russia, which included a total of 62 participants from the US and United Kingdom. In addition, a total of seven youngsters have benefited from UAYCEF's student exchange program. The international caving community also has benefited from UAYCEF, not just from its annual trips and student exchange program, but from a wide range of other activities. These activities have included the introduction of SCT (Single Cable Technique) to the U.S., publication of various articles, slideshow presentations for various caving organizations and community groups, conduction of vertical rebelay workshops, and the development and testing of new and unique ascending, descending, and safety systems.
Gratitude is given to the Cave Conservancy Foundation, PMI, IMO, Speleobooks, Gonzo Guano Gear, Howe Caverns and numerous NSS grottos and members for their assistance over the years.
Project Director: Chris Nicola, 2446 43rd. Street, Astoria, N.Y. 11103.
Phone/Fax: 718 204-8373, Email: chris@uaycef.org

Western Kentucky Speleological Survey
The Western Kentucky Speleological Survey (WKSS) is committed to the exploration, survey, documentation, and conservation of caves west of Warren County, Kentucky. In 2008 new work was accomplished in Crittenden County. The WKSS has a close relationship with the Kentucky Speleological Survey. 
Contact: Preston and Shari Forsythe, PO Box 1128, Browder, KY 42326, pns_for@bwellsouth.net, 270-476-8870.

Williams Canyon Project
The Williams Canyon Project (WCP) surveys, explores, and preserves caves of Williams Canyon near Colorado Springs, Colorado, including the commercially operated Cave of the Winds.  In a cooperative agreement with Cave of the Winds, the WCP takes an active role in the management of the canyon resources.
The Red Canyon Grotto in Canon City, Colorado, petitioned for membership to the WCP and was unanimously approved in 2007.  The majority of Colorado grottos are involved in the project.  WCP partnered with area grottos to host the April 2009 BOG meeting in Manitou Springs.  Floyd Fernandez, project member, is developing a series of podcasts focusing on caving techniques, etiquette, and conservation, among other topics. Digitalizing maps of project caves is nearly complete.  New survey was added to the project through the discovery of virgin passage in Huccacove through digging efforts.   Conservation activities, digging, mapping, and inventory continue in project caves.  Rick Speaect was elected Project Coordinator beginning in January of 2008.