Volunteers play a crucial role in the success of our National Cave & Karst Management Symposiums. Our all-volunteer conference teams provide essential support to ensure the seamless execution of these events every two years. The transformation of a symposium from vision to reality requires months of dedication, passion, and commitment to our mission. The team's task is to create a solid platform for our participants to network with other industry professionals while gaining modern insights into cave and karst management.
By fostering an atmosphere of community and collaboration amongst our attendees, we help disprese modern cave and karst management practices across North America.
Our 2025 production team will grow in the next several months and multiple roles still need to be filled. If you think you might be interested in joining the 2025 NCKMS team, please read the list below. If you do not see something of interest, but would still like to help, drop us a note & let us know you want to volunteer. The Western Cave Conservancy welcomes your participation!
Field Trip Manager
Field Trip Assistants
Security Manager
Program Assistant
Stage Manager
Volunteer Coordinator
Display Table Coordinator
Conference Services Director
AV Managers
Foodservice Director
Social Event Manager
Venue Relations
Treasurer & Finance Director
Registration
Marketing Managers
Director of fun, games, and weird stuff
Sponsor Fulfillment Manager
Graphic Designer
If you would like to help us coordinate NCKMS 2025 in Ely, Nevada, click the button below to send us an email. Someone will reaach out to you to help get you on the team. We won't endlessly spam you and we promise not to be annoying! Feel free to leave any questions or comments in the text box.
ely2025@nckms.orgThe official event schedule for the 2025 NCKMS has now been updated. Please check our schedule page or download a PDF to your mobile device.
In July of 1986, Life magazine dubbed Nevada's Highway 50 the "Loneliest Road in America." The article claimed there were "no points of interest" along the route and "warned" readers not to risk traveling it unless they were confident of their survival skills. However, Nevada adventurers knew better then - and still do. Sure, a road doesn't get much more wide-open than Highway 50. But that's exactly why we dig it!
Established by congress in 2006, the Great Basin National Heritage Area is a federally designated National Heritage Area in White Pine County, Nevada and Millard County, Utah. The area was defined to recognize and promote the scenic and cultural resources associated with this central portion of the Great Basin.
In 2016, concurrent with the NSS Convention in Ely, the heritage area's partnership arm helped fund a mural recognizing Absolom Lehman's explorations in the Lehman Caves of Great Basin National Park. Designed by NSS cave artist, Carolina Shrewsbury, the mural is now permanently installed on Highway 50 in downtown Ely.
The National Heritage Area includes Great Basin National Park and portions of Humboldt-Toiyabe and Fishlake National Forests, as well as Fort Deseret, Sevier Lake and the Topaz War Relocation Center.
Patchy blowing dust before 11am, then patchy blowing dust and widespread showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. South southeast wind 20 to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Widespread showers and thunderstorms before 5am, then isolated thunderstorms and scattered rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. South southeast wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Isolated thunderstorms and scattered rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 47. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.