Author: Jasmina

On September 13, 2021, we had the honor of presenting the fascinating world of caves and karst at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. This groundbreaking event, which took place as part of the International Year of Caves and Karst (IYCK), laid the foundation for the UIS initiative to proclaim September 13 as the International Day of Caves and Karst (IDCK). Let us continue to raise awareness and appreciation for these natural wonders that play such an important role in our world! Nadja Zupan Hajna UIS President

Dear speleologists, cavers, and cave lovers around the world, we are pleased to share with you the Second Circular of the 19th International Congress of Speleology (ICS), the world's premier speleological event. Please see the 19th ICS website www.speleo2025.org for complete details. There you will find a variety of useful resources for planning your participation in the congress, as well as regular updates to help you on the progress of your preparations. Take advantage of the 19th ICS not only to improve your technical and scientific knowledge, but also to make new connections and strengthen ties with colleagues from all over the world. The 19th ICS will be a unique opportunity to share common experiences, discoveries and passions in an atmosphere of friendship and collaboration.

The International Union of Speleology (UIS), in cooperation with the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO, is actively promoting the establishment of the International Day of Caves and Karst (IDCK – September 13). Why September 13th? Because there is no other international day on this date, because no nationality is favored and because on this day in 2021 caves and karst were presented to UNESCO for the first time (although the UIS was founded on September 16), and because UNESCO representatives like the idea. You can read more about the UIS proposal in a new UIS Bulletin 66-1. It does not matter if your country or region already celebrates a specific cave day other than the International Day of Caves and Karst proposed here, it's just important that the public learns…

We are glad to share with you Volume 66 of the UIS Bulletin. The PDF Interactive format can be downloaded by clicking on the link: http://uis-speleo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/UIS-Bulletin-Volume-66-1-June-2024.pdf The 60 pages of this issue bring the following topics: TABLE OF CONTENTS • Editorial: “One year to the 19th ICS and the 60th Anniversary of the UIS” • President’s Column - by Nadja Zupan Hajna: “Charting New Horizons” • UIS Becomes a Full Member of the International Science Counci • The UIS Archive in Postojna: demands - repeated urgent call! • UIS Book “Sixty Years of the UIS - 1965-2025” - History update • International Journal of Speleology - Special issue on Cave Monitoring: call for papers • UIS Informatics Commission: A New Presidency • 9th International Congress of Speleology - Call for registration • Exploring Scotland’s Subterranean Wonders: The Grampian Speleological…

The France HABE Prize is awarded each year by the Karst and Caves Protection Commission of the International Union of Speleology (UIS). To prevent the distracted and latecomers from biting their fingers, the date for submitting applications has been extended until July 20, 2024. Do not miss this opportunity! All the useful information is here: http://uis-speleo.org/index.php/karst-and-cave-protection-commission/

The International Journal of Speleology, the official journal of the Union Internationale de Spéléologie, is excited to announce a call for papers for a Special Issue on Cave monitoring: the good, the bad, and the nice. Understanding the dynamics of cave environments requires intensive and extensive measurements and monitoring of the physical, chemical, geomorphological, and hydrological parameters, encompassing all features of the caves (geology, hydrology, morphology, air, water, biota, and human impact). Technological advances have shifted observations from sporadic to continuous monitoring, albeit methods vary significantly in frequency, precision, accuracy and duration. Historically, measurements were taken on a “need to know” basis, often focusing on specific parameters like air temperature, while overlooking potentially crucial factors such as CO2 levels or water, soil or rock temperature. Additionally, the lack of affordable…

Dear Member of the UIS, We have noted a recent resurgence of hoax emails purporting to come from members of the UIS Bureau. Please be vigilant, and always check the email address of the sender carefully. All official UIS emails, including those from UIS Bureau members, will come from an address you are familiar with. If you are at all uncertain please use the website contact form to raise an enquiry. Thank you for your continued support of UIS, Yours sincerely, Nadja Zupan Hajna UIS President

We are glad to share with you Volume 65-1&2 of the UIS Bulletin. The PDF Interactive format can be downloaded by clicking on the link: http://uis-speleo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/UIS-Bulletin-65-12-December-2023.pdf The 93 pages of this issue bring the following topics: • TABLE OF CONTENTS • Editorial: The speleology we want in the coming years • President’s Column - by Nadja Zupan Hajna: “Caves and Karst Globally” • Proposal for UNESCO Caves and Karst Day Proclamation • The UIS International Year of Caves and Karst 2021/22 UIS: An Early Summary • Another Mulu expedition in November 2023 • Guidelines for Cave and Karst Protection: Updated and Translated • United Nations: Conferences and speleology • Statement of the German Speleological Federation for the UN Water Conference 2023 • UIS Delegation in Brazil: The present and future…

The France HABE Prize is awarded by the Karst and the Cave Protection Commission of the International Union of Speleology (UIS). The prize is named in memory and honor of Dr. France HABE († 10/12/1999) of Slovenia (Yugoslavia), who among his other many accomplishments served as President of the UIS Protection Department (1973-1997). Its purpose is to promote the protection of karst and caves for generations to come. Their natural legacy is a proven source of increasingly rich information about the history of our planet and humanity, enabling people to act more thoughtfully, efficiently, and sustainably for the future of our environment. The 2023 Prize This year, the candidates dealt with their subject, although very different, by highlighting a wide range of options such as raising awareness of caving, the…

Dear Colleagues, Dear Friends, We are glad to inform you, about the new call for speleological events support. Granted can be international expeditions or other events, focused on the exploration, study, or protection of caves and karst, with emphasis on educational, technical, and/or scientific cooperation. All requests should show explicitly, that the proposed event is in agreement with the Statutes, Internal Regulations and Code of Ethics of the UIS. In addition, speleological expeditions must involve participants from at least three different countries. Requests which do not meet this requirements will not be accepted. Conditions and more details about speleological events support can be found in the Speleological Events Support Guidelines on https://uis-speleo.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Speleological-Events-Support-Guidelines-Version-2-September-2019.pdf, or do not hesitate to ask UIS Vice President of Administration Zdenek Motycka at z.motycka@mediform.cz . The deadline…