Administrative Vice-President
Report to the NSS Board of Directors

March, 2001

Table of Contents

Administrative Vice President
Overview

Cave Management Division
Cave and Karst Acquisition Committee
Cave Conservancies Committee
Closed Cave Database Committee
Contemporary Cave Use Study Committee
Land Owner Relations Committee
NSS Cave Preserves Committee

Conservation Division
Conservation Committee
Conservation Grants Subcommittee
Conservation Task Force Subcommittee
Resource Preservation Committee
Mammoth Cave Restoration Committee
Cave Vandalism Deterrence Reward Commission

Education Division
Environmental Education Committee
National Cave Rescue Commission
Safety and Techniques Committee
Television Video Production Committee

NSS Convention Division
Convention Development Committee
2000 NSS Convention
2001 NSS Convention
2002 NSS Convention
2003 NSS Convention
Junior Speleological Society
Salon Coordinator
Congress of Grottos

Cave Preserve Reports (Attachment C-1)
Mammoth Cave Restoration Committee Report (Attachment C-2)
2001 NSS Convention Report (Attachment C-3)
2002 NSS Convention Report (Attachment C-4)
VIP Guest List: Amazing Caves Washington DC Premiere (Attachment C-5)
Closed Cave Database (Attachment C-6)

Administrative Vice President

Cheryl Jones

The Department of the Administrative Vice President consists of 16 Committees, two Commissions, and four NSS Convention hosts Committees. Within these are nine Conservation Task Forces, ten Cave Preserves, six NSS Conservancies, and several sub-committees.

The current name and contact information for the chair of each organizational entity may be found at www.caves.org/business/current

Departmental Highlights

General

• Organized in conjunction with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History a special cave photography exhibit, entitled "Caves: A Fragile Wilderness". The exhibition features NSS photographers, and will have NSS-authored text panels highlighting science, conservation and safety.
  
• Attended the 2000 Convention staff meeting in New Jersey
  
• Organized the Washington DC premiere of Amazing Caves

Cave Management Division

Current Focus: Work with local cavers to acquire and manage caves in a responsible way.

Highlights: Since the last AVP report, we’ve

• Developed an interim plan to replace the gate on Shelta Cave with fencing, including legal and funding aspects.
  
• Learned that the lawsuit against Barton Hill Karst has been dropped..

Conservation Division

Current Focus: Continue to develop new programs to foster a greater understanding of cave and karst resources and coordinate this effort with Education Division initiatives.

Highlights: Since the last AVP report, we’ve

• Created an NSS exhibit, consisting of five, museum quality signboards
  
• Created the Conservation Division web page, which is linked with the "learn about caves" page.

• Produced the annual Conservation Issue of the NSS News

Education Division

Current Focus: Expand our cave and karst educational outreach programs, and raise the visibility of the NSS in connection with educational initiatives and opportunities.

Highlights: Since the last AVP report, we’ve

• Provided a video copies of the IMAX film "Journey into Amazing Caves" and accompanying educational material to the NSS BOG.
  
• Created a "learn about caves" section of the Education web page for the NSS web site.
  
• Provided Grottos and the NSS BOG information on Journey into Amazing Caves.
  
• Appointed a manger, opened a bank account and established a chart of accounts for the NPS National Cave and Karst Education Co-op Program
  
• Hosted the Washington DC premiere of "Journey into Amazing Caves," with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

Convention Division

Current Focus: Revising and updating the Convention Manual and improving on-line access, locating a host group for the 2004 Convention, assist in the in the run-up to the 2001 Convention.

Highlights: Since the last AVP report, we’ve

• Finalized the 2001 Convention Budget, may have the 2002 budget finalized by April

• Made the Convention Manual available on the NSS web site, in the business section.

• Distributed the Convention Manual for review by NSS officers and past Convention chairs.

• Obtained electronic copies of the 1998 and 2000 Convention Guidebook for long-term storage in the NSS office.
  
• Created a "Caving Art" web page linked to the NSS web site.
  
• Revised financial and accounting processes for JSS during NSS Conventions.

Details

NSS Cave Management Division

Cave and Karst Acquisition Committee

Thom Engel, Chairman

• The NSS has not been approached to support property purchases by cave conservancies, nor to investigate the purchase of a cave by the NSS

Cave Conservancies Committee

John M. Wilson, Chairman

Plans:

• A Cave Conservancies roundtable and symposium for cave conservancies, land trusts with caves, and related cave management interest is planned for the 2001 NSS Convention. Tina Hall is planning and chairing the session.

Status:

• Xanadu Cave Conservancy has applied for Conservancy status with the NSS.

• This will bring the total number of NSS Conservancies to eleven.

Closed Cave Database Committee

Everett Carpenter, Chairman

Progress:
Completing the tabulation and distribution the closed cave listing to the local area groups (surveys, local closed cave list, and then grottos). See attachment C-6

Will complete an article for the NSS News soon.

Contemporary Cave Use Study Committee

Garrett Czmor, Chairman

Accomplishments:

• Reprinted the CCUS Attendants Manual when our supply become exhausted.

• Printed new CCUS register book information insert pages. The Cincinnati Grotto has been added to the sponsor page for their $25 donation. Most recently, Nittany Grotto made a sponsor donation as well but missed our insert reprint, so their name doesn't show yet on the listing. Their name as well as any others will appear on the next reprinting.

• Re-edited and reprinted the CCUS order form. The new form updates much of the information needed for ordering materials. The new form is formatted in such a way that ordering materials is on the back side of the page while making donations, listing attendants address and project agreement is on the front side.

• Reduced the backlog of register data books needing computer entry. There are about 4 individuals working part time on this. We are focusing on data from 1995 to year 2000. Year 2000 and after can not be entered or tabulated correctly with the present old DOS CCUS software and will be collected for future tabulation when the new software arrives.

• Sent out reminders to those servicing the cave registers requesting pre-2000 year data if they have it.

• Continued to develop Windows format software to manage CCUS data collected in 2000 and beyond. The current software is inadequate for this. Tim Kilby (original programmer of the DOS CCUS version we have been using) is developing this in his free time, which is greatly appreciated. Despite several efforts to find other Windows format programmers, Tim is the only one who offered to help us. As of this report, he is about half way through completing the program and eliminating bugs.
  
• Continued in a timely manner to respond to all direct requests for information on the CCUS project and fill supply orders from CCUS attendants.

Updates:

• Tom Metzgar of the Mid-Atlantic Karst Conservancy has agreed to be responsible for servicing at least 3 or 4 caves in Western Pennsylvania.

• After being deactivated for about 2 years in the CCUS project, the Loyalhanna Grotto might once again become active. It appears that Loyalhanna member Jeff Dunn will be taking over the responsibility. The CCUS packet containing information was sent to Jeff.

• The Meramec Valley Grotto (Missouri), were deactivated from the CCUS in 1999 when none of their members were willing to continue the register project. I sent an official letter email to their officer(s) asking that they please return any CCUS materials such as blank register books, canisters, etc. They acknowledged this and appeared to be sending the materials back. As of this report, nothing has been received yet from the Meramec group.

Plans:

• Follow up on the software problem with Kilby and hopefully we will have a new friendly Windows y2k compatible program this year.

• Enter all the past books from 1995 to 2000 on disk and tabulated for a final report. Hopefully this can be achieved this year.

Land Owner Relations Committee

Bill Thoman, Chairman

Bill Thoman would like to resign as chairman, and is helping to revise the committee description.

NSS Cave Preserves Committee

Gary Bush, Chairman

I. GENERAL:

The Preserve Managers reports I've received are attached for the record. As is my custom, I've also summarized the status of each report in Section II of this report. Nine of the ten Managers submitted a report this period.

• Overall, the Preserve properties are in good condition.
  
• Vandalism levels at the properties seem generally low.

Plans:

• Get the necessary legal contacts moving to determine the usefulness of waivers at our cave properties, as requested by several of our Managers

• Insurance support: The Felburn Foundation, owners of Kingston Saltpeter Cave Preserve, have voiced tentative approval to reimburse the NSS for our Insurance cost for that property. I've asked Ted Kayes for a breakout of that cost from our overall insurance premiums.

Progress:

• Significant maintenance work continues at several of the Preserves, as noted below.
  
• Mr. Baumann's suit against the Barton Hill Karst Preserve has been dropped.

Problems:

• Several properties are experiencing local droughts.

II. PROPERTY STATUS:

• McFails Cave (New York): The property is closed for the winter. Tom is organizing the various projects due for the spring.

• Shelta Cave (Alabama): Paul Meyer completed a status report for the Board on the state of animal life in the cave and on the project to remove the gate and replace with fencing. An interim report is available on the web at: http://www.caves.org/grotto/huntsville/shelta/. The Committee is exploring the possibility of a shared Management Plan with the US Fish & Wildlife Service, and funding assistance the project from other organizations.

• John Guilday Cave Preserve (West Virginia): The redraft of the map of New Trout Cave has been completed and will be distributed. Bob Hoke's report of the annual bat count is included with Dave West's report, in the full preserves report. Overall, the numbers appear consistent with previous years.

• Kingston Saltpeter Cave Preserve (Georgia): Independent sampling of local groundwater by Anheuser-Busch technicians confirms that this past year's drought was worse than the two previous years. The Committee has conducted numerous work trips this fall. Extensive repairs were made to the trails, the entrance fencing, and the gate. Cleanups, including glass retrieval, were successfully concluded. Overall, the property is in its best condition in recent years.

• Barton Hill Karst Preserve (New York): There have been 8 trips into the cave this fall, but snow has stopped trips for now. Fence and cabin projects are planned for the spring. Mr. Baumann's lawsuit, claiming damage to his property by cavers, has been dropped.

• Warrens Cave (Florida): Visitation has been low at the end of the year. The Florida Fire College conducted a cave rescue training course in the cave. The Florida drought has raised the fire hazard in the area. Because of homes near to the Preserve, visitors are regularly warned to practice fire safety on the property. Generally, all is well there.

• Donald R. Russell Preserve (Oklahoma): (No Report received this period)

• Schoharie Caverns (NY): (Fall Report) The outhouse, with picture window, has been completed. More cavers are volunteering to help with projects. The mowing contract is working out well.

• Alachua Sink Preserve (Florida): Poor visibility in the sink during the early Fall has been replaced lately by exceptional clarity. Dive trips have increased substantially. Sufficient donations have been received to almost completely cover the costs to build a walk and stairs into the Sink. Plans for the project will be forthcoming.

• Tytoona Cave Preserve (Pennsylvania): The Committee members continue to visit the property every other week or so to ensure its good condition. Donations to the Tytoona Fund have risen to over $5,700. There have been several educational trips this quarter. The Committee has tightened the requirements for diving the sumps in the cave to ensure safety. Minor vandalism occurred in early February to the kiosk on the property.

NSS Conservation Division

Jim C. Werker & Val Hildreth-Werker

Let us know what you’ve been up to! Send updates, protection concerns, conservation opportunities, and kudos for individuals or groups to Jim & Val werks@att.net

________________________________

ó ó Conservation Kudos !! ó ó

• Leisa Eidson, a caver and graphic arts professional from Cincinnati, for committing long hours to the completion of a portable museum-quality display describing the goals and activities of the NSS. She finished the first five units in time for the display to show at the Smithsonian during the Washington, DC premier of the IMAX film, Journey Into Amazing Caves.

• Pat Bingham for taking responsibility for setting up the NSS Display at the DC Premier.

• Cheryl Jones for accepting lead responsibility to coordinate the D.C. Amazing Caves premier event, held at the Smithsonian. Extra mile kudos go to her long-term enthusiasm and commitment.

• Hazel Barton and Nancy Holler Aulenbach for their commitment to including cave and karst conservation messages in the MacGillivray Freeman Films IMAX production and promotional materials.

• Carol Zokaites for continuing interaction with MacGillivray Freeman Films in creating educational materials and increasing awareness of the Save the Caves Fund by seeking contributions through promotion in the Family Fun Guide, a brochure she helped prepare for the IMAX movie Journey into Amazing Caves.

• Barbara Moss for coordinating grotto contacts and resource information for Journey into Amazing Caves.

• MacGillivray Freeman Films for their personnel and resource commitment in working cooperatively with the NSS on Journey into Amazing Caves.

• Elizabeth Rousseau-Bunnell for heading full-force into the organization and design of the Conservation Division web site. The initial emphasis will be towards grotto and NSS interaction with IMAX. She is creating a websource for interfacing with theaters and media to emphasize karst and cave conservation/education outreach. The site is under construction with long-term goals for serving cavers as well as non-cavers with information on cave and karst ecosystem protection and resources for conservation/restoration methods. Find the NSS Conservation Division Site by clicking "Learn About Caves" on the NSS Home Page.

• Hillary Lambert Hopper for coordinating national efforts against the plans for an Intermodal Transit Park on the sinkhole plain near Mammoth Cave in Kentucky.

• Lee Florea, Carol Zokaites, and others in their support of Kick 66. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has designated a damaging path through karst lands of Kentucky as their preferred route for the proposed I-66. KICK 66, an umbrella organization dedicated to preserving the quality of life and the environment in the region affected by these proposed corridors, is a coalition of state agencies, national organizations, and businesses favoring Kentucky's forests, farms, future, and funds by opposing I-66.

• Jonathan Beard and his speleothem reconstruction assistants in Missouri for successful completion of the Flutestone in Stinson Cave. It took multiple trips and many sherpas to repair the 10.5-foot totem over the past few months. In the fall, after the Gray bat maternity season, they plan to install a gate to protect bats and formations.

• Sue McCready of Arizona for creating the logo for the 15^th National Cave and Karst Management Symposium, to be held October 16-19, 2001, in Tucson.

• We applaud the NSS IMAX Committee, Grottos in IMAX areas, and countless NSS cavers who are coordinating to direct the upcoming media attention toward the benefits of karst and cave protection instead of the thrills, extremes, and adventures of caving.

Forgive us for our failure to mention the thousands of others out there working for cave conservation.

BOG and EC members, please feed us recognition information. Send us brief notes so we can include in future kudos werks@att.net

_________________________

Vision 2000 for the NSS Conservation Division: Heighten awareness of the importance of cave and karst conservation by reaching a greater diversity of audiences throughout the US.

Mission: During 2001 through 2005, develop programs to strengthen public knowledge about the benefits of cave and karst protection.

• Interface with other cave and conservation organizations/agencies/associations/institutes to provide cave/karst conservation outreach programs to landowners, land managing agencies, commercial cave interpreters, educators, and the public. Promote awareness and conservation of karst landforms.
  
• Strengthen and extend common knowledge among cavers to include multiple aspects of cave protection, preservation, and ethics.

Progress

• The Conservation Division Website is being created by Elizabeth Rousseau-Bunnell. It links from the NSS Home Page through "Learn About Caves". As the site is developed, many links will be added between the Conservation Division web site and Rob Stitt’s Cave Conservation & Management site.
  
• To better meet the needs of the caving community during the run of the IMAX film, Journey into Amazing Caves, Elizabeth is launching the Conservation Division web site with information for grottos and NSS members on interfacing with IMAX theaters and media. Initially, this conservation site will focus on providing materials that grottos can use in action plans for IMAX demands and ramifications. Our long-term goal is to serve cavers and non-cavers with information concerning cave and karst ecology/protection, while developing a resource for conservation/restoration methods. The site, now under construction, will be well organized and will provide easy links to exemplary cave/karst conservation information.
  
• An NSS Display was created by Leisa Eidson, a graphic arts professional and long-time member of the caving community. Leisa, Jim, and Val collaborated in development of a portable, museum-quality display on the goals and mission of the NSS. Leisa committed hundreds of extra hours on short notice to finish this display for its debut at the Smithsonian. The exhibit is designed and fabricated to facilitate easy transport and set-up. Additional units will supplement the initial exhibit as time and funds allow. We recognize and thank Pat Bingham for taking the lead on setting up the display at the Smithsonian.
  
• The NSS Conservation Division and the Education Division are collaborating to develop NSS outreach materials on the benefits of karst and cave protection. Chuck Acklin, Education Division Chief, along with Jim and Val, Conservation Chiefs have agreed to coordinate efforts.

• We are interfacing with Carol A. Hill, President of UIS Commission on Cave Mineralogy. Thomas Lera has agreed to be the [Interim] Chairman of the Working Group on Speleothem Protection. Tom has also agreed to serve the NSS Conservation Committee as the NSS Liaison for International Speleothem Protection.

Conservation Committee

Jim C. Werker & Val Hildreth-Werker, Co-Chairmen

Convention

We have scheduled and coordinated Conservation presentations/discussions with the 2001 NSS Convention. Submit abstracts for any of these sessions to Val before April 20.werks@att.net

• Restoration Workshop will be on Monday morning,
  
• NSS Conservation & Management Section meeting at noon on Monday,
  
• The Conservation & Management Session on Monday afternoon. The afternoon session will start with a panel and interactive discussion on Cave Wilderness, coordinated by Pat Seiser.
  
• Later in the week, we will coordinate a half-day seminar for federal and state agency land managers
  
• Later in the week, we'll arrange a half-day closed meeting for the new Conservation Team.

Brochures

• NSS brochures The Future of the Underground and The Fragile Underground will both be updated for reprinting. Jo Schaper has agreed to take on this revision project. Eventually, these and other brochures and fact-sheets will be placed on the Conservation Division web site as downloadable PDF files so grottos or individuals can print as needed.
  
• Jim Kennedy of BCI has agreed to update our NSS Bats Need Friends brochure. He will start from the draft created by Eugene Vale. The new brochure will be a joint NSS/BCI project focusing on general conservation facts about bats.

Book

• Cave Conservation and Restoration continues in the reviewing and editing process. Because more than thirty authors have submitted material, this is an extended process. Jim Werker and Val Hildreth-Werker, editors for this manual, are working with Executive VP Ray Keeler, the NSS Special Publications Committee, various reviewers, authors, and photographers to produce a quality NSS publication.

AGI Publications

• 750 copies of the AGI karst resources management book were purchased through the Save the Caves Fund to distribute at no charge to educators and federal and state officials participating in programs conducted by the Conservation and Education Divisions.
  
• 1000 copies of the cave conservation poster produced in conjunction with the AGI book were purchased through the Save the Caves Fund to distribute at no charge to educators and federal and state officials participating in programs conducted by the Conservation and Education Divisions.

Seminars & Workshops

• We are developing presentation material kits for Conservation Team members. Kits will include modular slide shows and CDs, handout masters, transparencies, brochures, booklets, and posters on the benefits of karst and cave protection. We have received commitments from a dozen NSS cavers across the country who will participate in this team by conducting seminars and presentations in their geographic areas. Most of these members already are booking frequent presentations. The new Conservation Team modules will supplement their current materials and the team will facilitate collaboration and information sharing across the country. Other NSS Members have offered their consultation and expertise in material collection and development. We are partnering with cave and conservation organizations throughout the country for information, images, and materials.
  
• We continue to interact with national contacts in the federal agencies.

• Jim and Val will represent the NSS as guest speakers during the April BLM Cave Management Workshop in Carlsbad, New Mexico.
  
• We continue to interact and update with Zelda Chapman Bailey of the USGS, appointed as the Interim NPS Director of the National Cave and Karst Research Institute—she will be unable to attend the April 7 BOG meeting in Albuquerque but has arranged her schedule to include the NSS Convention in Kentucky.
  
• Ron Kerbo has spoken with us about coordinating cave management seminars with the National Park Service.
  
• We continue to coordinate with Forest Service personnel, Jim Miller and Jerry Trout nationally, and others in several FS Districts, to conduct seminars.
  
• We are again planning joint seminars for federal and state agency land managers during the 2001 Convention and NCKM Symposium—these events will include the agency coordinators listed above as well as Bob Currie of the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

NCKMS 2001 in Arizona

The 15^th National Cave & Karst Management Symposium will be held in Tucson, Arizona, October 16-19, 2001. Plans are progressing. Contact Jerry Trout, USFS National Coordinator for Cave Resources, if you can provide assistance. It has been several years since this Symposium was held in the Southwest and the first time in the state of Arizona. This is the forum for communicating your ideas to improve cave management—particularly those who live in the Southwest. Submit abstracts for papers and sessions to Tom Strong (520) 795-2001 cbstrong@dakotacom.net Early abstract submissions are encouraged. Direct your information requests to Jerry Trout, US Forest Service, Federal Building, 300 W. Congress, Tucson, AZ 85701 jtrout@fs.fed.us phone: (520) 670-4552. The 2001 Symposium schedule and other information is listed on the NSS web site. Click on Events.

Conservation Issue of the NSS News

• The March 2001 Conservation Issue of the NSS News has been distributed. Articles and updates for this issue were solicited and edited by Jim and Val. Thanks to Dave Bunnell for working so well with us on this issue. Included are essays on media and caves, discussions on underground wilderness, articles on innovative approaches to cave management, and summaries of conservation activities. We invite your comments on the issue, and participation next year.

Multiple Concerns and Communications

• Every week we receive US and international correspondence on various cave and karst conservation and protection issues. We send support letters as necessary and keep logs of these e-mails and phone calls.

New Subcommittees Established

• Elizabeth Rousseau-Bunnell is designing and coordinating the Conservation Division web site.
  
• David Anderson has agreed to link a Volunteer Value Database to the NSS web site, if other obligations permit him the time.
  
• Leisa Eidson is serving as the NSS Conservation Graphics Coordinator.

• David Jagnow has agreed to coordinate Conservation Fund Raising and Save the Caves.

• Tom Lera of Washington, D.C. is serving as the NSS Liaison for International Speleothem Protection.

Conservation Grants Subcommittee

Albert A. Krause, Chairman

Grants Awarded

• $500 awarded to the Indiana Karst Conservancy for purchase of a karst ground water flow demonstration model to use in public outreach programs and workshops.

• Other grant applications are being reviewed and I encourage submissions be sent to me before April 1 for this fiscal year.

Conservation Task Force Subcommittee

Jo Schaper, Chairman

NSS Conservation Task Forces are sub-units of the NSS, designed to furnish a not-for-profit mechanism to NSS members to address threats to caves and karst. CTFs usually focus on regional, ongoing issues. A CTF is formed under the NSS umbrella for members in common cause where caver-citizen activity, by study, stewardship, publicity, etc., can help landowners, managers, or other authorities protect cave and karst resources. The CTF division of the NSS stands ready to lend assistance with advice, networking, and other help to any group of conservation-oriented cavers who care about the future of the underground.

Activities and Status:

• Reactivation of the Cumberland Plateau CTF in the Spencer Mountain Cave System of East Central Tennessee to investigate a new sewage facility that threatens the caves and karst of the area. The NSS provided legal assistance, etc., for documentation of the threats.

• Central Oregon CTF is leading the fight in the Deschutes National Forest over an Environmental Assessment pitting the needs of the caves and their archeological resources with the desires of the rock climbing community who have been petitioning the National Forest to keep the Road 18 Bend area caves open to climbing and bolting. The revised Road 18 Caves Environmental Assessment is due in 2001.
• Germany Valley CTF is monitoring the threat from limestone mining at Hellhole, an extensive West Virginia cave that is home to approximately one-quarter of the world's population of Virginia Big Eared Bats.

• Klamath Mountains CTF reports much activity but little progress with karst protection concerns in the Klamath National Forest and the protection of paleo resources at Oregon Caves National Monument, NPS. This CTF is also working for resource management of a cave rescued from onyx miners on Shasta Trinity National Forest in northern California.

• Sloans Valley CTF continues to actively pursue landfill mitigation, Kick 66, the Intermodal Transit Park, and Off Road Vehicle proposals. See the March 2001 NSS News.

• Teton CTF continues alive and well and active, according to Warren Anderson.
  
• Pennsylvania Cave Legislation CTF, long a project of Judi Stack (who coordinated and quilted the beautiful bat quilt raffled at last year's convention) will disband—she has become discouraged with the receptivity of the legislature.

• Xanadu Cave CTF is organizing to segue to an NSS Conservancy.
  
• Lost River Conservation Association and Hawaii Caves round out the current roster of NSS Conservation Task Forces.
  

Resource Preservation Committee

Val Hildreth-Werker & Jim Werker, Co-Chairmen

Conservation Team

• Conservation Team kits are being developed. Kits will include modular slide shows and CDs, hand-out masters, transparencies, brochures, booklets, and posters on the benefits of karst and cave protection.

• NSS members have agreed to participate in the Conservation Team. Team members include: Aimee Beveridge, Elizabeth Rousseau-Bunnell, Al Collier, Bill Elliott, Susan Herpin, Hillary Lambert Hopper, David Joaquim, Kriste Lindberg, Julie Schenck, Roland Vinyard, Carol Zokaites, Jim Werker, Val Hildreth-Werker. We have scheduled a team meeting during Convention.
  

Mammoth Cave Restoration Committee

Norm Rogers (Co-Chairman) Karen Dennis (Co-Chairman)

-awaiting report

NSS Cave Vandalism Deterrence Reward Commission

Jay Jorden, Chairman

Members: Gale Beach, George Huppert, Thomas Rea, and John Wilson

Accomplishments:

• Received a couple of inquiries about the panel's work, but no solid proposals for rewards or information that had earlier led to prosecution and conviction for cave vandalism.
  
• Submitted an article for the Conservation Issue of the NSS News.

Plans:

• Review all successful prosecutions of cave vandals with an eye toward publicizing the Society's conservation goals and rewarding diligence on the part of those individuals who work in furtherance of those goals.

• Develop other means of publicizing the commission's activities.
  
• Continue contributing to the NSS Conservation and Management Section's publication efforts

NSS Education Division

Chuck Acklin

ó ó Education Kudos !! ó ó

• John Scheltens for his years of successful negotiations with MacGillivray-Freeman to ensure NSS participation in the development of Journey into Amazing Caves, delivery of video copies and educational material to the NSS BOG, and M-F's support for the NSS hosting the Washington DC Premiere of the film.

• Carol Zokaites deserves special mention for her drive in ensuring that appropriate educational materials and programs accompany the showing of the film, and contributing material for the Teachers Guide and Family Fun Guide

• The Washington DC area cavers, particularly Pat Bingham and Meredith Hall Johnson, who helped organize and carry out the DC premiere for Journey into Amazing Caves, on very short notice and with such panache.

___________________________

First Year Activities and Results To Date:

• Clarify organization expectations and boundaries.
• • Education Division - Conservation Division Working Relationship Established. (1/2001)
  • • We are collaborating.
    • We will communicate, and work together to further the cave and karst protection goals of the NSS.
    • We request enough rope to either hang ourselves or become highly skilled at balancing.
    • Always keep it fun!
• Support present (and developing) programs.
• • Approved Project Underground grant proposal of $1500 for operational expenses, sourced from NSS Educational Grants Restricted Fund.
  • Created Support Strategy for Grottos participating with screenings of Amazing Caves at IMAX theaters around the country.
  • Initiated a Community Education Involvement Initiative with 2002 Convention and the Camden Maine Community School District. Possibilities include:
  • • School link to Project Underground;
    • K-12 grade karst projects – science, language arts and visual art;
    • display projects at convention; community participation day;
    • programs and vendors open to residents,
    • medical community and other school curriculum and community awareness activities throughout 2002.
  • Considering restructuring, reducing and simplifying Education Division delivery capability, to result in more efficiently getting information to members.
  • Looking for a program to teach Speleology to NSS Membership.
• Start education relationships and networking with cave-related agencies, organizations, businesses and industries interested in karst conservation.
• • Planning has begun on a cave training for Scout and Youth Groups that frequent caves to reduce youth group accidents and rescues and heightening awareness for karst conservation and involvement in cave preservation.
  • • Using existing resources: the Venture Caving (BSA Publication), Conservation and NCRC members and Grottos for trainers, NPS, BLM, and NFS delivery networks, Boy Scout Councils for contacts. Pilot program will be through 2002.
  • Completed Education Division participation with NPS Junior Ranger Program at Timpanogos Cave National Monument. Involved NSS, Project Underground in the project. NSS and PU are credited in the published document.
• Start Networking
• • Established Advisory Committee: Jerry Trout, NFS, Ron Kerbo, NPS, Jim Goodbar, BLM, Cheryl Jones, NSS-BOG
  • Established stronger connection with Timpanogos Cave as a resource for Cave and Karst Conservation Training.
  • Initiated data gathering support for cave training for youth groups.
• Identify funding sources.
• • Identified a small funding source for cave studies in Park City Utah. Disappeared when I dissolved my partnership and resigned position (10/2000)
  • Identified outdoor manufacturer who in interested in funding grass-roots cave restoration projects.
  • Hallmark Executive for funding support for wayside exhibits at Timpanogos Cave National Monument did not materialize. (10/2000)

Challenges To Date And Resolution:

• Challenges: None.
  
• Resolution Strategy: I am moving forward!

Environmental Education Committee

Barbara L. Moss, Chairman

. Plans:

• Assist with the IMAX "Amazing Caves" movie openings as requested and as opportunities arise: links, sources of information, etc.
  
• Continue to add information and links to Education Web Page
  
• Consider ideas for our own information brochures.

Progress:

• Web Page:
• • Learn More About Caves, Education Division, and Environmental Education Committee pages are up and running; links have been added from suggestions by our visitors; linked to Conservation Web Page.
  • http://www.caves.org/committee/education/learn_more_about_caves.htm
• "Amazing Caves" IMAX Grotto Contacts:
• • 39 grotto contacts identified for 1^st wave of movie openings in 43 cities between March 9 and October 2001
  • Worked with MacGillivray Freeman to ensure receipt of Amazing Caves packs by grottos in proximity of IMAX theaters
  • NSS and resource information made available for grottos on the EEC Web site; also by e-mail, and upon request;
  • Created a Grottos mass e-mail list (not quite a list-serv) for grottos to share ideas, problems, and successes.
• Sample Amazing Caves Prep Successes:
• • Project Underground Workshop scheduled for local teachers 1st Saturday after DC opening, hosted by Smithsonian Museum of Natural History;
  • Greeters at IMAX theaters dressed in clean cave clothes (DC);
  • ‘Guest Star’ to rappel down a stairwell prior to Donor Dinner/ Movie Night (TX);
  • Table set up during openings to display grotto and NSS handouts
  • Exhibit created to highlight local issues and info (used in many locales);
  • Conservation Committee created an NSS display which was displayed at the Washington DC premiere. It is available for use by grottos upon request.
  • A squeeze box available during opening, or in the hands-on center of the museum, as well as equipment available for touching/ feel the weight, etc.
  • Booksigning at bookstores and/or theaters (TX);
  • Caving slid show (PA).

National Cave Rescue Commission

John Punches, National Coordinator

Updates:

• New staff (pending BOG approval at the April meeting):

NCRC Rocky Mountain Region Coordinator.
Marc Ohms
(605) 745-6507
marc_ohms@nps.gov

NCRC Diving Coordinator.
Henry Nicholson
(904) 786-6363
henrynicholson@msn.com

Progress

• Review is proceeding on the Course Manual, still hopeful to get a finished product this summer. All Chapters have been reviewed by at least some of the review board.
  
• NCRC sponsored the International Technical Rescue Symposium, and presented a paper.

• NCRC Database to go on the Web as a password protected area, with sort and print options.

Safety and Techniques Committee

Status:

• Bill Cuddington, after years of (officially) helping others learn from his vast experience and knowledge, is stepping down as STC chair. An ad for a replacement appeared in the March issue of the NSS News. Many thanks to Bill for his time and dedication.

Television/Video Production Committee (and Amazing Caves liaison)

John P. Scheltens, Chairman

Accomplishments:

What began as an idea with the Cincinnati Museum Center almost 10 years ago has become a reality today. As all of you know the first wide screen formatted film on caves (the IMAX) is completed and is now showing nationwide. Journey into Amazing Caves premiered in Cincinnati in early March. MacGillivary-Freeman expects that the film will run in US theaters over a two-year period.

• On Tuesday evening, March 13th the NSS, co-hosted with the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, the Washington D.C. premiere of Journey into Amazing Caves.
  
• • Attendance: Approximately 600 invitations were mailed out, and 400 guests attended the event, including many members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. (Attachment C-5 is a list of VIP's.guests) The press also heavily attended the event. Reporters attended from all the major TV networks, newspapers such as the Washington Post, Washington Times, and Chicago Tribune, as well as some radio stations. The 2-1/2 event was well received by all who attended. The Smithsonian, MacGillivray- Freeman Films, as well as all the financial sponsors of the event seemed to be very pleased.

• • Funding:

• • In addition to funding supplied by the NSS and the Smithsonian, the following organizations financially sponsored the event: - National Speleological Foundation $4,600.00 - NSS Cave Diving Section $3,000.00 - Virginia Karst Lands $500.00 - American Cave Conservation Association $1,000.00

• • In addition: MacGillivray Freeman paid all the travel expenses for Hazel Barton and Steve Judson (the director) to attend and speak on behalf of the NSS. M-F also supplied 500 full color folders at a cost of $875.00 that the NSS used to insert several handouts including the March Issue of the NSS News (the Conservation Issue), a copy of the Federal Cave law, "Bats Need Friends", and basic facts about the caves, caving, and the NSS and its mission.

• • Program: Administrative Vice- President, Cheryl Jones coordinated the hundreds of details necessary for a successful, smooth and extremely professional evening. My compliments to Cheryl and the many NSS volunteers in the DC area who helped with all the details in an amazingly short period of time.

• • • The evening began with a formal reception in the museum lobby and atrium café before the show, and included several caving oriented exhibits, cavers in caving gear, hors devours, and an open bar. Exhibits were set up by: The NSS, Project Underground, Bat Conservation International, ACCA, NSS Cave Diving Section, Virginia Division of Conservation and Recreation/VA Cave Board, and the Gansta Mappers.
    • In the theater we opened with a pre-show of cavers "rappelling" down the aisles to "connect" to cavers "mapping" the cave up from the sunken area in front of the IMAX screen. A multi-projector slide show of some of the best of the best photo salon slides from the past ten years followed immediately. The slide show was developed and choreographed by Bruce Bannerman.
    • The main program opened with a welcome by Mr. Robert Fri, Director of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. I spoke next on behalf of the NSS, as past-president (in the absence of Mike Hood who was unable to attend) and then introduced two special guest speakers: Dr. Rita Colwell, Director of the National Science Foundation, and Mr. Douglass McDonald, CEO and President of the Cincinnati Museum Center. Steve Judson, the film's director, spoke for a few minutes, and in his remarks spoke very highly of the NSS and the help M-F received from us, of the NSS members he and M-F had worked with, and of the Society's goals and efforts. Steve introduced the main film Journey into Amazing Caves. Following the movie, Hazel Barton spoke for a few minutes, then she and Steve answered questions from the audience.
    • The evening concluded with a reception during which coffee and desert and coffee were served, and guests again looked at the exhibits. Steve and Hazel were available for press interviews, photos, and further mingling.

• In essence this now brings nearly 10 years of coordinating NSS resources with the production of the first IMAX film on caves to conclusion. The film was going to be made with or without the NSS. The question is whether we, and Project Underground, were able to positively influence the outcome of the film. I believe the answer is Yes --- very much so.

A summary of a few of the major affects:

• • Almost every suggestion we made on earlier drafts of the film, M-F incorporated
  • The film is an excellent educational tool on caving, whose story line does not encourage people to go caving.
  • The film is accompanied by a "Teacher's Guide" that Project Underground helped write and review.
  • Full color brochures entitled "Family Fun Guide" that Project Underground contributed to, with NSS input and review, will be distributed by the hundreds of thousands at each theater. The brochure has our logo displayed on the back, and contains a solicitation for contributions to the NSS Save-the-Caves Restricted Fund. Cost to the NSS - $0.00
  • The main characters in the film are two well-respected colleagues of ours in the NSS. Both have been NSS Directors.
  • Our Safety & Techniques Committee, our Conservation Committee, and our Educational Committee reviewed the film. M-F made all suggested changes to the film and script.
  • A Science Advisory Panel consisting of mostly of very well respected NSS researchers and academia reviewed the film.
  • A special exhibit of caving photos, including 30 images from NSS Slide Salons, will be professionally exhibited in a small gallery at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum for the duration of the screening of Amazing Caves (until Oct. 2001). The cost to the museum will be about $20,000 for this exhibit. Afterwards the museum is hoping make the exhibit available to other museums around the country.
  • Many grottos are participating at various theaters across the country where the film is being shown. Some are doing conservation exhibits; some are doing lecture series; some are doing workshops; and some are even using it as a fund-raiser.
  • The National Science Foundation, a major funding source for the film that required the educational materials be developed to accompany the film, is very pleased. As a matter of note, it was Rita Colwell, the Director of NSF, who asked if she could say a few words at the premiere. She did, and they were very, very complimentary to the NSS. You may not be aware, but the NSF's annual budget is in excess of $4.4 Billion Dollars.

• So did we have a positive affect on the outcome of the film?? -- I think so.

The Future:

The story is not over. We must not loose momentum, and we must plan for the future. From here we have at least three things to do:

• Follow up on the entire VIP guests who attended the premier, as well as those invited. Not so much a problem - just something that needs to be done as part of NSS government liaison efforts.

• More importantly, we need to provide support to our grottos that want to expand their educational programs and participate with the theaters in their areas. The NSS has almost nothing in its publications that we can distribute (or sell) to educate the non-caver on the importance of caves. For the most part, the bulk of the U.S. population is not interested in going caving - but they do want to know about the importance of caves in the environment. This film is a great eye opener to the general public on the importance of caves. This is a great opportunity for the NSS to follow up. Unfortunately the NSS is not prepared to capitalize on this wonderful educational opportunity. Its not that we didn't see it coming - the film has been coming for 10 years. It is too bad we spent so much time debating whether the film will be good or bad for caves, instead of preparing for its release.

• Most importantly. The NSS needs to develop a Strategic Plan. It appears that the NSS has no vision. Where do we see the NSS going in the next 10 to 20 years? Where do we want to be in 10 or 20 years? Develop this plan during the next year - do it professionally - use an independent facilitator. Get everyone, including, if not especially the membership, involved. Adopt the plan - keep it organic and dynamic. Then develop an intensive business plan to achieve all the objectives identified in the strategic plan.

• Some other items to consider: -
• • Establish a new membership category, such as "Associate Member" or "Friends of Caving". These would be for people who are interested in learning about caves, and want to be active in cave conservation, but are not interested in going caving. This is a potentially huge membership base for generating capital dollars not to mention political clout when you need it. They would not be voting members but would provide a great stable base for many NSS programs.
  • Sell warm-fuzzy soft toy bats in the museum bookstores. Attach a conservation booklet targeted at kids. A great income source and a great educational tool.
  • Expand our publications department to develop books, etc. orientated toward the non-caver.

National Park Service National Cave and Karst Resource Management Education Co-op Agreement

Peggy Kessner, Project Coordinator

• Bank account opened, chart of accounts created for the project, and Peggy Kessner appointed as agent of the NSS S-T to manage the grant.
  
• The NPS is in the process of acquiring materials for the project, reimbursement for which will come from the grant money in the NSS-managed account. Training workshops for cavers, conducted by NSS member-NPS staff teams, are expected to begin in the fall of 2001.

NSS Convention Division

Carol Tiderman

Urgent! We have no hosts for the 2004 Convention!

Convention Development Committee

Carol Tiderman, Chairman

Accomplishments:

• Convention Manual is now available on the NSS web site, in the business section.

• Distributed the Convention Manual for review by the officers and past Convention chairs.

• Added a committee staff member - Carol Fritz - to maintain detailed historical convention data. Carol has been working with the archivist to locate old BOG reports with Convention Final Financial Reports. This data will be used to fill in the blanks on the current spreadsheet.

• Worked with the 2000 staff to obtain the final report and Lessons Learned. This is expected soon.

• Obtained electronic copies of Convention Guidebooks from the1998 & 2000 Conventions for long-term storage in the NSS office.

Plans

• Continue working with confirmed host groups.

• Continue searching for potential host groups.

• Update the Convention Manual based on the feedback from the reviewers.
  
• Receive an electronic copy of the 1999 Convention Guidebook.

Problems

• Volunteer host groups to bid for the 2004 Convention and beyond have not been identified.

2000 NSS Convention

Kelley Deem, Chairman

Status:

A final report from the Convention Chairman has been promised soon…..

2001 NSS Convention (full report attachment C-3)

Bill Carr, Chairman

Everything is flowing very well.

Accomplishments:

• Convention budget finalized and approved by the NSS EC.

• Campground is being worked on almost every weekend.
• We are meeting monthly and have more people volunteering to lend us a hand.
• Program and guidebook seem to be ahead of schedule.
• We have placed deposits with most of our facilities.

Updates:

• Registrations are coming in now almost everyday. Online registration is up to around 40% which shows we are moving into a new era of how we conduct our business these days.

• JSS will play a huge part in our convention this year, as they will be running the concessions at the campground to help them earn some extra money for their activities.

• We are getting some request for different sessions at the school and will be trying to add those.

Plans:

• We are planning to do more with the NSS birthday party, which will be held in the GSP campground.
• We are in process of setting up a weekly chat room on the Internet for a certain time space for those that would like to have an online meeting.
• We are looking into corporate sponsors to advertise with us.

2002 NSS Convention (full report attachment C-4)

Peter Jones, Co-Chairman
Kevin Harris, Co-Chairman

Progress has been made on nearly all aspects of the 2002 Convention. Much of this "cave year" (convention to convention) has been spent working on contracts with local service and facilities providers as well as working on the budget. Here are the highlights

• Significant research has been done into the possibility of obtaining funding from corporate sponsors.

• Budget: A major impasse has been broken regarding the high cost of family members. Details are still being negotiated, but having age-based accompanier categories should encourage a significant increase in attendance by primary members on a budget.

• A draft revised budget will be completed for review, and hopefully approval, before the BOG to prepare for the first draft registration forms.

• Campground: Both parties have signed the contract for use of the Union Fairgrounds.

• The beer-serving situation has been sorted out and the restrictions we must work under defined. Details in full report.

Status update:

• The cost of the school is still up in the air, see below, but the cost of the Union Fairgrounds was nailed down tight

• Registration: The 2001 Convention in KY is offering fully automated on-line registration service. The developer of this software has kindly offered to help adapt it for use in our convention as well! We're investigating.

• The Union Fairgrounds Committee (UFC) is working on the installation of a septic system, showers and washbasins. They expect to have this installed by this summer (2001), a year in advance of our needs.

• The UFC has agreed to operate their on-site food service for campers. This is a small (seats about 100) diner. We have agreed that we will not be providing any other food service at the grounds (i.e., no hamburger/hotdog stands) so that the operator can be assured of a reasonable return on his time and expense investment.

• The auditorium has great acoustics. The stage itself should be deep enough for rear projection of the slide salon. There is seating for 814 people in the auditorium, but we might be able to seat an additional 100 with temporary seating in the sides and aisles.

Outstanding issues:

• Unfortunately, we have yet to settle on a firm price for use of the school and this is delaying implementation of a contract, as well as causing uncertainty in the overall convention budget.

• One potentially serious issue is that the administration sees the need to keep the school open for some summer classes and clerical staff.

• Several transportation logistics issues remain, including renting small vans for the JSS. There just aren't any available within the state for rental during that time, due to summer camp demand.

• The flooring material we thought would be available to protect the gym floor apparently is not, at least not at present. We may end up having to budget for and take care of this ourselves.

2003 NSS Convention

Peri Frantz, Chairman

Recent accomplishments:

• We held a major organizational meeting / orientation at the convention site January 20, with 20 committee members, and most of the key chairs in attendance. Activities included an extensive tour and discussion of facilities, and identification of issues/problems that need to be resolved. Minutes of this meeting have already been conveyed to Cheryl.

• Solved problem of where to display the salons. Previously we had not considered the library viable because numerous computer kiosks occupy its large open space. However, by placing partitions around the kiosks, we will be able to protect the computers, and produce ample hanging space. The library is air conditioned and well lit.

• Selected a slogan for the convention, and have had 3 submissions for potential logos. These are being reviewed, and we will select the logo prior to this summer's convention. For now, both are being kept under wraps, to keep them fresh.

• Filled several additional committee positions: Eleanor Larson will handle vendor relations and support; Don Dunn has agreed to be camp ground manager; Tom Gilliand has expanded his role from producing a publicity slide show to publicity chairman.

Goals for the next four months:

• Completion of a comprehensive budget (Michele Richardson, Charlie Hotz)

• Construction of a planning timeline, showing what activities need to be completed when. (Peri Frantz)

• Negotiation of contracts with the College and Theater (Peri Frantz)

• Design of computer system for registration (Scott Smith)

• Guidebook Outline (Merrilee Proffit)

Junior Speleological Society

Rick and Faye Bowersox, Co-Chairmen

Progress:

• I have completed a pre-convention trip to the GSP and the surrounding area prior to attending a convention staff meeting held at the Crawl-a-thon on January 28. I met with the Convention Chair, JSS Coordinators, and other staff as necessary to coordinate schedules and resources. I have toured all surface sites we plan to use for the convention and looked over the GSP site and the High School being used for the convention. Since convention staff will provide JSS with a large tent pavilion on site, a space at the high school will not be needed. We have been provided a good swimming location that is safe and in the campground. This year we will add two more computers (as the three last year were put to good use).

• As a new service this year, JSS will have two online computers with a printer for Email downloads by members who need to monitor their mailboxes. A small donation will be asked by the JSS for this service.
• Another new JSS service this year will be a convention web cam that will provide real time streaming images of the GSP site and some activities onto the Internet. The JSS web pages will be updated at the end of each day with new photos of the day’s activities. All Internet access depends on the requisite number of telephone lines at GSP.

• The JSS has finished preparations for the ice sales as well as food and snack bar sales at the GSP site.
  
• The activity schedule is completed and will be sent in for publication in the convention program this week.
  
• The budget for convention activities has been finalized.
  
• Forms for release of liability, medical consent to treat…etc. have been revised, reviewed and are ready for use.
  
• An emergency operation plan for the 2001 Convention location has been prepared by Kent Fasic and reviewed by William Carr and me.
  
• Revised financial and accounting processes for JSS during NSS Conventions. JSS will control a bank account based on income from JSS registrations.

Status:

• At this time JSS has a core staff of 11 and is ready to go. The only item remaining open is approval of a final budget. We are four months ahead of schedule.

• I have stayed in contact with representatives from the 2002 and 2003 conventions. We have started work at each location to collect ideas for a schedule of actives for these conventions and to produce preliminary budgets. The convention coordinator for the 2002 convention have informed me that they will be on hand this year for on the job training.

NSS Salons

Paul Stevens, Coordinator

Accomplishments:

• Published an article that covers all of the NSS 2001 Salons in the February 2001 NSS News and posted on the convention web site. Rules and entry deadlines are described for each Salon.

• Created a "Caving Art" web site (http://www.caves.org/committee/salons/) hosted on the NSS server, which includes material on past salon winners and a discussion of the 2001 Salon. Expect a link to be added to the NSS home page soon.

• Ray Cole and Cady Soukup accepted co-chairmanship of the 2001 NSS Slide Salon. The database and materials necessary to conduct the Salon have been transferred to them. Paul & Lee will continue to orchestrate the Thursday evening convention Salon program.

• Bruce Bannerman toured the "The Big Barn" at Renfro Valley and thinks it will work just fine. The slides will be front-projection from the balcony and the video will be rear projection from the stage. There is a large control room stage left with a large window so the production team can see what is on the screen -- a decided improvement from past year's arrangements.

• Through the NSS Slide Salons, organized in conjunction with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History a special cave photography exhibit. Opens April 17. Large format prints of 30 photos selected from past salons and an additional 6 from Chip Clark's collection will be specially mounted and exhibited in a gallery near the IMAX theater exit. Text for the accompanying panels was contributed by the NSS, and highlights science and conservation. The exhibition will run through October 2001. The museum will try to travel the exhibit after it closes in Washington, after which it will become the property of the NSS.

Plans:

• Purchase a new video projector. We have been using an old, very large and difficult to calibrate analog video projector for Video Salon entries during the NSS Salon program at conventions. The NSS purchased this projector nearly 10 years ago. In the near term we should replace this projector for it will fail at some time and its old technology may make it difficult to repair economically -- and it could fail at the "wrong" time. The past several years we have also borrowed Bob Vandeventer 's personal digital video projector to project slide titles during the convention Salon Program. We should not expect to do this indefinitely. We are considering the purchase of an In Focus LP 350 projector which is a state of the art video projector that would greatly improve the brilliance and resolution of the images we project during the convention Salon program.

Congress of Grottos

John LaMar Cole, 2000 Chairman

Kathy Welling has been appointed Vice-Chairman.
Issues Committee has been appointed:  Kathy Welling, David Jagnow, Peri Frantz, Hilary Hopper, Evelyn Bradshaw (standing chairman).

The only item on the table thus far is the name change of the COG, proposed last year (rationale:  it's not really a Congress of Grottoes anymore).

Will distribute a call for issues to I/Os via list-servs, and other avenues.