Cave Jobs

[harv]

I was watching the "Caves" episode of Planet Earth (which I would highly recommend), and it said something like "scientists estimate that less than half of the world's caves have been explored, and cave explorers are making new discoveries all the time". It got me thinking, who are these explorers, and who is paying them? Are they scientists, amateurs, and most importantly, are they hiring?

I'm in a post-college exploratory period, and I would absolutely love to work or volunteer on a cave exploring crew. Does anyone have any information on how to do this, if it is at all possible?

[L Roebuck]

I would have to say that most of the true cave explores do not get paid. But on the other hand there are biologists, archaeologists, geologists, nature organizations, bat organizations, Federal, State (the list goes on) that do receive a pay check.

[harv]

Ok, well that's fine. Do you know if any of these people need volunteers? Does anyone here work or volunteer on a cave exploration crew?

[Rebel Rouser]

I volunteer for a "cave exploration crew" but they only give me the crappy leads. Some day I'll show them and find the big one!

[Azurerana]

harv said:

I was watching the "Caves" episode of Planet Earth (which I would highly recommend), and it said something like "scientists estimate that less than half of the world's caves have been explored, and cave explorers are making new discoveries all the time". It got me thinking, who are these explorers, and who is paying them? Are they scientists, amateurs, and most importantly, are they hiring?

Heh. Hi Harv. How do *they* know only half of them have been explored? That's sort of like the cave guide question: "How much of this cave is still unexplored?" ;D ;D Ah, journalists!

I'm in a post-college exploratory period, and I would absolutely love to work or volunteer on a cave exploring crew. Does anyone have any information on how to do this, if it is at all possible?

In my state, we actually know: 80% of the caves have been found, explored, mapped, etc. by unpaid volunteers, and the other 20% have been by paid crews, as Lynn says below. But, I'm smiling gently, because I asked the same question 20 years ago-- and found cave groups. Haven't made a lot of money, but I've had a whale of a good time.

Seriously, what state are you in? Cave grottos may or may not be into exploration (although everyone's secret dream is to find a virgin Wonder Caverns) State Cave surveys are made up of people who are expressly looking for new caves.

[harv]

azurerana said:

Seriously, what state are you in? Cave grottos may or may not be into exploration (although everyone's secret dream is to find a virgin Wonder Caverns) State Cave surveys are made up of people who are expressly looking for new caves.

Florida. Plenty of karst, but most of it's flooded. I'd do cave diving if I had the money and time.

[Brian Roebuck]

If you want to get paid for caving get some sort of science degree, find an unknown cave species, mineral anomaly, archaeological use, bacterial slime, or whatever and get a government grant to study it for the rest of your career. Cave critters that are going extinct seems to be a popular career path these days.

Seriously there are very few paying jobs in cave research in the US. Those that have them tend to guard them. Good luck!

[L Roebuck]

Hey harv, maybe you'll be interested in this?

Karst Field Studies Program
Hoffman Enviromental Research Institute
caveandkarst.wku.edu/