Volunteers play a crucial role in the success of NCKMS operations. 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.
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 check out our volunteer page. The Western Cave Conservancy welcomes your participation!
Co-Chair
Co-Chair
Co-Chair
Treasurer
Hospitality Director
Marketing Coordinator
Field Trip Logistics
Field Trip Logistics
In July of 1986, Life magazine labeled Ely, Nevada's Highway 50 as "The Loneliest Road in America" and suggested drivers should have 'survival skills' for the trip. The name was intended as a pejorative, but Nevada officials seized it as a marketing slogan. The name originates from large desolate areas traversed by the route, with few or no signs of civilization. The highway crosses several large desert valleys separated by numerous mountain ranges towering over the valley floors, in what is known as the Basin and Range province of the Great Basin. Photo by Matt Bowers, Third Media.
Since 1941 the NSS has been at the forefront of cave science, conservation, and exploration. Join our 8,500+ member community and come caving.
Located just south of Ely, Nevada, the Ward Charcoal Ovens are associated with the silver mining ghost town of Ward. They were built in 1876 by itinerant Italian masons known as carbonari. Charcoal prepared in the ovens was used in the nearby silver smelters.
Sunny, with a high near 64. South wind around 10 mph.
Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. South southeast wind 10 to 15 mph.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms between 11am and 5pm, then isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. South southeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.