The Missouri Speleological Survey is a nonprofit organization composed of affiliated organizations and independent individuals known as cooperators. Founded by Dr. Oscar Hawksley, Frank Dahlgren, and Jerry D. Vineyard, the Survey received semi-official standing in 1956 as a project of a chapter of the National Speleological Society. Its organization was coincident with the rise of organized caving activities in the state, and with publication of Bretz's "Caves of Missouri".

The Missouri Speleological Survey coordinates the efforts of various caving groups in the state, encourages and initiates constructive activities such as cave science projects, mapping and description of caves, and serves as a repository for cave data gathered by individuals and caving clubs. The mission of the Survey is to locate, record, explore, conserve, and study the caves of Missouri.

The Missouri Speleological Survey (MSS) is governed by a Board of Directors, consisting of the officers, and one director from each affiliated speleological organization as recognized by the Survey. The board acts as the governing and administrative body of the MSS in conducting business pertaining to speleology in Missouri. List of Officers and Directors

A president is chosen every other year by the directors. Each director is a member of the organization he or she represents, serves as its voting voice, and reports its activities and progress.

Board meetings are held three times yearly to conduct business of the MSS. The meetings are usually in winter, spring and fall, at the Missouri Geological Survey and Resource Assessment Division Building in Rolla, Mo. Occasionally the location changes. Consult the Calendar of Events for the dates and location.

A cooperative working relationship has been developed with the Geological Survey and Resource Assessement Division, Missouri Department of Natural Resources in Rolla. The state agency provides meeting space and serves as a repository and reproduction service for speleological data collected by the MSS and other sources.

PUBLICATIONS

MISSOURI SPELEOLOGY records the scientific and survey efforts of the MSS and speleological work done in Missouri. Published articles range from reports on caves by counties to biological and speleological research papers. Yearly subscriptions and back issues are available to individuals and groups. Subscription is included with membership. 

M.S.S. LIAISON is a monthly newsletter to improve communications between the Missouri Speleological Survey, its member groups, and cooperators. Yearly subscriptions are available to individuals and groups. Subscription is included with membership. 

RESEARCH COUNCIL

The Research Council coordinates projects, solicits and disburses funds, and publishes findings through MISSOURI SPELEOLOGY. Grants are given by the council to applicants for research proposals, upon approval by the members of the Council.

LIBRARY

The Ward Edwards Library at Central Missouri State University maintains a speleological collection for the MSS, supported in part by exchange agreements between MISSOURI SPELEOLOGY and other journals.

CAVE CONSERVATION

Missouri has over 5700 caves. It is important to explore, map and report on caves, but the increasing exploration of caves necessitates measures to protect the geological and biological wonders found underground.The MSS has adopted the Cave Conservation policy of the National Speleological Society. We also support The Federal Cave Resources Protection Act and The Missouri Cave Resources Act, passed in 1980, which gives statutory protection to all caves and their contents. The law makes vandalism in caves illegal, and provides specific penalties for breakage of formations, graffiti, littering, violation of cave gates, and other damaging activities. It also has protective provisions for cave streams.

MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS

Caving grottos and affiliated organizations exist in the following areas of Missouri with one affiliate in Illinois. In addition to these members, the MSS is an active cooperator with many of the state and federal agencies which own and manage land within Missouri.

 List of Member Organizations

This page last updated: Sept. 8, 2003