The Georgia Speleological Survey (GSS) is an archival organization for the exploration, documentation, and study of caves in Georgia (USA). The GSS has approximately 100 members and is an internal organization of the National Speleological Society (NSS) and is a member of the Southeastern Regional Association (SERA) of the NSS.

The GSS maintains a record of caves and karst features in Georgia. A cave must be at least 30 feet of length, depth, or total traverse for inclusion in its GSS Cave Listing. Currently there are over 600 caves of record. The GSS maintains a separate Karst Feature Listing. The GSS has survey instruments for mapping caves available to its members for a small fee.

Constitution of the GSS

GSS Contacts Page information on current officers and positions and how to contact them.

GSS Membership/Sales information on how to become a member and GSS products for sale.

Forms for Reporting Caves & Other Useful Information various reporting forms, information on Georgia geology, and latitude / longitude rulers.

2013 GSS Annual Meeting Saturday, May 11th, 2013, 10 a.m. at the Frick’s Cave Preserve

The Annual Meeting of the Georgia Speleological Survey (GSS) will be held on Saturday, May 11th, 2013, 10 a.m. at the Southeastern Cave Conservancy's Frick's Cave Preserve near LaFayette, Georgia. If you need directions, send an email to gssweb@bellsouth.net. Due to its sensitive nature, access to Frick's Cave will NOT be allowed. Participants should note that area residents have a "no dogs" policy so please leave your pets at home. The meeting will be held outside, so bring your lawn-chairs and appropriate clothing.

This year's GSS Bulletin was edited by Brian Williamson and it looks fantastic. Here are some of the highlights:

    • A three-page foldout map of Byer's Cave

    • An historic article by Marion O. Smith on an 1866 Grier's Cave trip

    • Georgia cave fauna article by Dante B. Fenolio and Kirt Zigler

    • Archaeology article by Larry O. Blair

    • Discovery of Byer's Cave by Joel Sneed

And several other great articles, new cave maps, and updates.

The Bulletin comes with your GSS membership and dues will be gathered at the meeting ($10 membership as always and a data listing on CD also come with membership). If you have already paid 2013 dues I will have a packet of what you ordered ready for pickup, otherwise it will be mailed to you after the meeting.

We will also have an updated map CD available, which is $5 if you've purchased one before, otherwise it's $10 the first time.

-Paul Aughey, GSS Treasurer

For information on past meetings, visit the Meetings page.

Something is Killing our Bats - Information about White-Nose Syndrome

As you may already know, hundreds of thousands of hibernating bats have died over the past three years in Northeastern U.S down to Virginia. While it is currently not known if it is a cause or a symptom, a tell-tale sign is a strain of white fungus that is found on the muzzle and other parts of the body of bats, and is referred to as White-Nose Syndrome,  One of the best sources of information is found on the following U.S. Fish and Wildlife website: http://www.fws.gov/northeast/white_nose.html.

While White-Nose Syndrome has not been currently documented as far south as Georgia, as a precaution, it is suggested that cavers do not visit caves inhabited with lots of hibernating bats and that clothes and gear be thoroughly cleaned between visiting different caves to limit the spread of the fungus between caves. The most up-to-date suggested decontamination procedures are available here: http://www.fws.gov/northeast/whitenosemessage.html .

The Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc. (SCCi) has adopted a Cave Visitation Policy for WNS Concerns and is posted on the SCCi WNS News page at http://scci.org/News/WNS_2009.html.

Frick's Cave Resurvey Project, Walker County, Georgia

The GSS has an ongoing survey project at Frick’s Cave in Walker County, Georgia. Note that the GSS has obtained special permission to survey this closed cave from the Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc. For more information on the project, when trips are scheduled, and how you can participate, click here.

Closed Cave Lists

Caves are closed to protect the cave, its formations, biota, and archeological resources, or because the owner does not want people on his/her property or in his/her caves for one reason or another. Some caves are always closed while other caves are open only at certain times of the year or with special permission or requirements of the landowner. These lists provided include many of the more widely visited caves and are by no means an exhaustive list of the open status of all caves in the southeast. You are ultimately responsible for obtaining proper permission from the landowner before entering their caves.

Closed and Limited Access Caves of TAG List of closed and limited access caves in Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. Maintained by the Dogwood City Grotto.

Significant Bat Cave List List of restricted access bat caves in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Maintained by the Nashville Grotto and the Central Basin Grotto.

Georgia Hunting Information

Hunting seasons vary greatly from one locale to another. For more information visit the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resource Division website or download the hunting regulations for 2011-2012 at http://www.gohuntgeorgia.com/hunting/regulations.

Useful Links

NSS Affiliated Caving Grottos (Clubs) in or near Georgia

Other NSS Affiliated State Cave Surveys

Survey & Cartography Section of the NSS

Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc.

Go up to Southeastern Regional Association (SERA) Home Page

Go up to National Speleological Society Home Page

The URL for this page is http://www.caves.org/survey/gss/GSSWebsite/Home.html.
If you have any questions, comments, or corrections about this page, please contact the GSS website maintainer at gssweb@bellsouth.net.

Last modified: Sunday, 28 April, 2013 bta