The North America's National Speleological Society is a member of the Union Internationale de Spéléologie (UIS). The UIS is a global, non-profit, non-governmental organization which promotes interaction between academic and technical speleologists of a wide range of nationalities to develop and coordinate international speleology in all of its scientific, technical, cultural, and economic aspects.
In collaboration with our global family of cavers, the UIS has declared 2021 to be the International Year of Caves and Karst.
International years celebrate and inform the world about important topics, many of which are not known to the general public. Caves and karst occur around our planet but few people understand the great value of caves to humanity. Fewer still know what karst is.
Over the coming months, the NSS and the 2021 NSS Convention will be announcing many events designed to teach our nation about the challenges facing caves and karst, and how these systems contribute to the lives of billions of people every day. We hope you can join us in this international year of celebration!
To learn how you or your grotto can get involved with the International Year, as a person or as a group, please visit the UIS site at iyck2021.org/.
Lassen Volcanic National Park features roaring fumaroles, thumping mud pots, boiling pools, and steaming sulphur pits. These mountains are still growing - and they're doing it right in front of you!
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