National Cave and Karst Research Institute

Carlsbad, New Mexico | Conduct, support, facilitate, and promote programs in cave and karst research, education, environmental management, and data acquisition and sharing.

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About

NCKRI is a research institute of New Mexico Tech focused on cave and karst research, resource management, and education.

Vision

NCKRI acts as a catalyst, through science and education, to create a nationwide appreciation for the value of the diversity of cave and karst landscapes and improved management of these landscapes.

Mission

NCKRI is a national research center that fulfills its mandates with an eye towards pushing the science of speleology, improving management techniques, broadly communicating cave and karst science, and building capacity to sustainably nurture the next generations of cave and karst scientists.

Mandate

  1. Further the science of speleology
  2. Centralize and standardize speleological information
  3. Foster interdisciplinary cooperation in cave and karst research programs
  4. Promote public education
  5. Promote national and international cooperation in protecting the environment for the benefit of cave and karst landforms
  6. Promote and develop environmentally sound and sustainable resource management practices

Strategic Plan 2024-2029

Core Values

In achieving our mandate, NCKRI conducts work and treats people in accordance with its core values and the strategic themes of NMT. NCKRI’s core values are:

  • The inherent excitement for caves and karst as a platform for education and scientific engagement
  • The value of research for sustainable living on karst
  • Excellence in research, stewardship, and education
  • Professionalism
  • Collaboration and cooperation
  • Ethics, accountability, and safety
  • Human potential and respect for diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Continual professional and personal growth
  • An appreciation for and encouragement of work-life balance
NMT Strategic Themes
  • Empowering student success
  • Enriching engaged learning
  • DEI driven excellence
  • Amplified research innovation
  • Energizing community
  • Financial resilience

Strategic Actions

To achieve our mandate and mission to be at the leading edge of cave and karst science, management, and education, over the next 5 years, we will focus our efforts on these strategic goals:

Organizational Structure and efficiency

  1. Establish a National Advisory Council to provide insight on cave and karst research, stewardship, and education.
  2. Improve the infrastructure at the NCKRI Headquarters to support cutting edge research and outreach.
  3. Enhance connections between NCKRI Headquarters and faculty, staff, and students at New Mexico Tech’s main campus in Socorro.
  4. Initiate activities at the NCKRI Headquarters to directly fulfill the mission.
  5. Develop financially sustainable partnerships and research projects at a local to national scale.
  6. Be a leader in developing the capacity of future cave and karst professionals.

Science

  1. Identify, support and encourage evolving directions in the cave and karst science.
  2. Build on existing FAIR data standards to make data accessible.
  3. conduct cutting edge cave and karst research.

Outreach and Education

  1. Promote public outreach to translate research.
  2. Expand educational opportunities in caves and karst.
  3. Promote best management practices.

Environmental Management

  1. Work with land management partners to develop and implement science-based management practices.
  2. Maintain and expand partnerships with federal land managers to support broader assistance requests.
  3. Promote national and international cooperation.