31.1.08

Symposium on Research and Exploration in Florida Caves, 2008 NSS Convention

At this year’s NSS Convention in Lake City, Florida (August 11-15), there will be a special symposium on Florida caves, highlighting the recent upswing in exploration and research that is one of the most exciting trends in American speleology. We invite you to participate.

The Symposium is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 11, from 9 a.m. to noon. This time slot does not conflict with other exploration and science sessions.

We are looking for 20-minute presentations on any topic related to exploration and science in Florida caves. Exploration topics should be geared toward interpretation, to avoid overlap with the U.S. Exploration session. However, exploration is an integral part of science, so the two are often intertwined. Although the main focus is on the geosciences, any topic that leads to the understanding of caves is appropriate. You are welcome to participate in this session, even if your project has just started and the results are only preliminary. It will be fairly informal.

If you would like to participate, we need a short abstract that summarizes your conclusions. An abstract should convey as much about the topic as possible in a short space. Don’t include statements such as “The origin of Florida caves will be discussed.” This doesn’t tell a reader anything. Like all abstracts, it should state the following in just a few sentences:

* Start with a sentence that describes your topic and goal.
* Add one or two sentences to explain your procedures.
* End with a few sentences that summarize your findings and conclusions (as far as you have gone). If your results are preliminary and subject to change, feel free to say so.

Length limit: 250 words.

Due date: April 1, 2008.

Please send abstracts to Art Palmer (palmearn@oneonta.edu) with a copy to Lee Florea at lflorea@usgs.gov. Lee will be moderator of the session. Art will handle the logistics. A digital projector and screen will be standard equipment. Contact Art if you have any special audio/visual needs.

Abstracts may be published in a later issue of the Journal of Cave and Karst Studies (unless you prefer otherwise).

If you would like to participate, please let us know. We welcome your participation! If you know of other people who might be interested, feel free to pass this message on to them, or give us their names and addresses so we can contact them.

Thanks, and best wishes,
Art Palmer
Lee Florea

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