National Cave and Karst Research Institute
400-1 Cascades Avenue
Carlsbad, NM, USA 88220
Phone: 00.1.575.887.5518
E-Mail: info@nckri.org
The National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI) is a non-profit government-supported institute headquartered in the City of Carlsbad, New Mexico. Its goals are to conduct, support, facilitate, and promote programs in cave and karst research, education, environmental management, and data acquisition and sharing.
How NCKRI Was Formed
NCKRI was created by the U.S. Congress in 1998 to:
- further the science of speleology;
- centralize and standardize speleological information;
- foster interdisciplinary cooperation in cave and karst research programs;
- promote public education;
- promote national and international cooperation in protecting the environment for the benefit of cave and karst landforms; and
- promote and develop environmentally sound and sustainable resource management practices.
NCKRI started as a federal institute within the U.S. National Park Service. In 2006, NCKRI changed to a non-profit corporation to boost its ability in creating partnerships with other organizations, raising funds, and responding quickly to new opportunities. NCKRI is actually a hybrid non-profit. It is an independent 501(c)(3) corporation but maintains its Congressional mandates, obligations, and funding.
NCKRI was created through three partners: the federal government through the National Park Service, the State of New Mexico through the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (New Mexico Tech or NMT), and the City of Carlsbad. New Mexico Tech manages NCKRI’s annual federal and state appropriations and provides vital administrative support. Each of these partners has a permanent position on the NCKRI board and actively participates in NCKRI activities as a formula for success.
Research
Why? Where? How? When? Each of these questions can be asked hundreds of different ways about the many mysteries of caves and karst. NCKRI’s research programs work to answer these questions through a diverse range of cave and karst studies.
Education
Are you a college professor? A classroom teacher? A cave guide? An informal educator working in a show cave or science center? NCKRI provides all educators with cave and karst learning opportunities! Learn more about our cutting-edge academic and education programs here.
Museum
Did you ever want to experience the adventure and awe of cave exploration? One day soon you'll be able to traverse the passages of the National Cave and Karst Museum to discover beautiful cave crystals and karst landscapes. Check in with us for updates.
Explore!
What is karst? How do caves form? Find the answers to these questions and more through one of our many learning activities and exhibits. Online learning is just one way NCKRI increases people’s perception, awareness, and knowledge of caves and karst!
