"The National Speleological Society believes: That caves have
unique scientific, recreational, and scenic values; that these values,
once gone, cannot be recovered; and that the responsibility for protecting
the 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: The encouragement
of self-discipline among cavers; education and research concerning
the causes and prevention of cave damage; and special projects, including
cooperation with other groups similarly dedicated to the conservation
of natural area. Specifically: All contents of a cave - formations,
life and loose deposits - are significant for its enjoyment and interpretation.
Therefore caving parties should leave a cave as they find it. They
should provide means for removal of waste; limit marking to a few
small and removable signs as are needed for surveys; and 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 and minimal. The
collecting of mineral or biological material for display purposes,
including previously 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 speleothems;
supporting effective protective measures; cleaning and restoring over-used
caves; cooperating with private cave owner by providing knowledge
about their cave and protecting their property from damage during
cave visits; and encouraging commercial cave owners to make use of
their opportunity to aid the public in understanding caves and the
importance of their 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 oppose publication.
It is the duty of every Society member to take personal responsibility
for spreading a consciousness of the cave conservation problem to
each potential use of caves. Without this, the beauty and value of
our caves will not long remain with us."
The
National Speleological Society has adopted the motto:
Take nothing but pictures
Leave nothing but footprints
And kill nothing but time
