Part 2-Conservation, Management, Ethics: NSS Conservation and Preservation Policies 253 Section C-Improving Caver Ethics

NSS Conservation and Preservation Policies

NSS Conservation Policy The National Speleological Society believes: have unique scientific, recreational, and scenic values. These values are endangered by both carelessness and intentional vandalism. These values, once gone, cannot be recovered. The responsibility for protecting caves must be assumed by those who study and enjoy them.

Accordingly, the intention of the Society is to work for the preservation of caves with a realistic policy supported by effective programs for: Encouraging self-discipline among cavers. Education and research concerning the causes and prevention of cave damage. Special projects, including cooperation with other groups similarly dedicated to the conservation of natural areas.

Specifically: All contents of a cave-formations, life, and loose deposits-are significant for their enjoyment and interpretation. parties should leave a cave as they find it. Cavers should provide means for the removal of waste. Cavers should limit marking to a few, small, removable signs as needed for surveys. Cavers should especially exercise extreme care not to accidentally break or soil formations, disturb life forms, or unnecessarily increase the number of disfiguring paths through an area.

Scientific collection is professional, selective, al)d minimal. The collecting of mineral or biological material for display purposes-including previ- ously broken or dead specimens-is never justified, as it encourages others to collect and destroy the interest of the cave.

The Society encourages projects such as: Establishing cave preserves. Placing entrance gates where appropriate. Opposing the sale of . Supporting effective protective measures. Cleaning and restoring over-used caves. Cooperating with private cave owners by providing knowledge about their cave and assisting them in protecting their cave and property from damage during cave visits. Encouraging commercial cave owners to make use of their opportunity to aid the public in understanding caves and the importance of their conservation. 254 Cave Conservation and Restoration

NSS Conservation Where there is reason to believe that publication of cave locations will lead to vandalism before adequate protection can be established, the Society will Policy History oppose such publication.

Editors' Note: Rane Curl It is the duty of every Society member to: reporled that AI Amon, George Moore, and he Take personal responsibility for spreading a consciousness of the cave wrote the NSS conservation problem to each potential user of caves. Without this, the Conservation Policy in beauty and value of our caves will not long remain with us. 1960, The NSS Board had Adopted by the National Speleological Sociely Board ofGovemors on December 2M, 1960. asked Amon-who was chairman of the NSS Conservation Commit- tee-for a "cede of conservation ethics," NSS Cave and Preservation Policy The NSS Conservation Caves and areas of karst and pseudokarst development are sensitive Policy was the result environments that often interact with surface and subsurface waters and Curl added that he's as ecosystems, They frequently harbor recrealional, historical, and natural suprised as anyone that the 40.year.old policy resources of considerable significance. has survived this long without revision (McClurg The National Speleological Society believes: and McClurg 2003), All caves and cavernous areas are important. Cave wilderness, like surface wilderness, is a valuable resource that should be protected regardless of official designations or boundaries. McClurg D. McClurg J. 2003. Caves and cavernous areas, with their unique environment and A History of the San Fran- development, may require management measures that are independent cisco Bay Chapter, NSS #79, 195710 present. In: Proffitt M, of geographic boundaries or designations established for the manage- editor. Range of Light, ment of other surface or subsurface resources. Realms of Darkness: A Guide for the 2003 NSS Conven- tion. Huntsville (All: National Accordingly, the Society endorses, supports, and advocates the implemen- Speleological Society. p 152. tation of the following precepts: No cave or cavernous area should be altered or modified without a full, balanced, and conservative study of the impact of such action, includ- ing input from knowledgeable persons specifically experienced in the exploration and scientific study of caves and cave resources. Cave resources should be protected by keeping wild caves wild and free from human manipulations and alterations that hamper the free play of natural forces, endanger cave and karst ecosystems, or diminish the pleasure of future visitors. Special efforts should be made to preserve the integrity of ecological and hydrologic systems within caves and cavernous terrains.

Where formal designation of Cave Wilderness is a useful tool in protecting this resource, the National Speleological Society will support such designa- tion through actions of its Board of Governors.

Adopted by the National Speleological Society Board or Governors on Novemhcr 15, 1994.