SOCORRO, N.M. – This year -- 2022 -- is the perfect time to learn about caves if you haven’t done so recently or ever. A global effort with ties to New Mexico Tech is underway to get more people outside, to take the time to discover and learn more about these little-known natural resources that touch us all in some way. 

The International Year of Caves and Karst, so proclaimed by the International Union of Speleology (UIS), got off to a “rocky” start in 2021, according to George Veni, Ph.D., who heads up the New Mexico Tech-affiliated National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI) and serves as UIS president. Even though more than 400 events took place in connection with the global event, most participants were virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the pandemic now in retreat, Dr. Veni said UIS extended the international year designation into 2022 with the aim of informing and educating the public, as well as encouraging individuals, families, organizations, and communities to get involved with the campaign to raise awareness of caves and karst.

While most people have a basic understanding of caves, few know their importance in the natural world, Dr. Veni said. 

“Caves are natural pipelines into our groundwater supply,” he said. “There are all kinds of caves, with dozens open around the country for tourists. For people who want to explore beyond trail, contact a local chapter of the National Speleological Society at www.caves.org to learn how to do it safely.”

More information about the International Year of Caves and Karst is at: http://iyck2021.org/

NCKRI – found online at www.nckri.org -- was created by Congress as the authority on caves and karst for the United States. NCKRI works with New Mexico Tech students and partners around the world in its research programs. More information about undergraduate and graduate student academic programs at New Mexico Tech affiliated with NCKRI is at: https://www.nckri.org/academic-program/