UIS Commission on Karst Hydrogeology and Speleogenesis

Dear Friends,

Online registration is now open for the 20th National Cave and Karst Management Symposium (NCKMS)! The conference will be in Carlsbad, New Mexico, on 4-8 November 2013. NCKMS covers all fields of cave and karst management (geology, biology, legal, show caves, restoration, and more) and is an excellent forum to exchange ideas and network within and between those topic areas. Below are several important news items and updates.

The host team, comprised of the National Cave and Karst Research Institute, and the Carlsbad offices of the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and US Forest Service, has put together what I believe is the most diverse and exciting set of workshops and field trips ever offered at an NCKMS. The team has also worked hard to keep registration at the same low price as the last NCKMS two years ago. For all of the details and to register, visit the Symposium website

When you get to the website, you’ll see it is completely different from what we previously posted. Ignore the old website address, which we will take down soon. This website not only looks nicer, but has more effective tools, navigation, and information.

If you are considering giving a paper, and we hope you are, notice that the abstract deadline has been removed. The Organizing Committee decided abstracts were an unnecessary extra step for you and for us. We also have heard many of your concerns that NCKMS should publish papers, not abstracts, and to publish them in a timely fashion. The deadline for papers is 1 June 2013; papers are requested but extended abstracts will be considered. That deadline is firm. We are committed to having the proceedings ready for distribution when you arrive at NCKMS.

Note that the proceedings will be provided digitally to everyone as part of their registration fees. A limited number of printed copies will be available to those who order them by mid-September (we don’t have an exact deadline yet). We will print a few extra, but to guarantee you get a printed copy, make sure you order one.

After you register, look under the “Carlsbad” tab of the conference website for “Lodging” and book your hotels. For well over a year, occupancy of Carlsbad hotels is generally exceeding 95% every day. It is often impossible to find a room at the last minute, and if you do, you will find it very expensive. Reserve your rooms now while they are available at good prices.

If you need a little financial help to come to NCKMS, especially if you are a student, click on the “Huppert Scholarship” button for information on possible assistance.

Lastly, we encourage any interested organizations or individuals to co-sponsor NCKMS. It will not only help improve what will be a great symposium, but will give you a higher profile in the cave and karst management community. For details look for “Sponsor” under the “Home” tab or go directly to this website

On behalf of everyone on the Organizing Committee, we look forward to seeing you at NCKMS in November!

Please share this message with anyone you think may be interested.

Thank you,

George

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George Veni, Ph.D.
Executive Director
National Cave and Karst Research Institute
400-1 Cascades Avenue
Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220-6215 USA
Office: 575-887-5517
Mobile: 210-863-5919
Fax: 575-887-5523