VdHK Annual Meeting & EuroSpeleo Forum 2023. Photo: Florian Bachmann
German Speleological Federation VdHK
Verband der deutschen Höhlen- und Karstforscher e.V.
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The German Speleological Federation (VdHK) is the umbrella organization of German speleology and the most competent contact in all matters related of caves and karst at national level. Over 2,300 speleologists from 70 regional clubs and groups, more than 200 individual members as well as 7 Federations on federal state level form the VdHK. Our main goals are the exploration and protection of caves and karst phenomena. Since 2020 the VdHK is accredited at ECOSOC and UNEP in the NGO Major Group.
Speleology is a voluntary discipline practiced worldwide, driven by the passion and commitment of those who study caves and karst. It focuses on advancing scientific research while promoting the karst-aware responsible management and preservation of karst landscapes and subterranean geoecosystems.
VdHK International Governance Working Group
The German Speleological Federation is active since 2015 in the NGO Major Group regarding the Sustainable Developement Goals and since 2020 in the United Nation Environment Program. The members of the International Governance Working Group are engaged speleologists from all over the world.
VdHK Initiatives
2010 Stop Trade, Import and Export of Cave Contents
Petition to EU Commissioner Potočnik2018 HLPF New York, Subterranean Biodiversity
in cooperation with the NGO MG, Animal Issues Thematic Cluster AITC
30 sec video on SDG 6: karst water
30 sec video on SDG 15: subterranean biodiversity2022 EU Natura 2000 is not enough to protect caves, karst and geoheritage
Open Letter to the EU Commissioner Sinkevičius2023 Online Seminar on the Protection of Gypsum Karst
in cooperation with IUCN/WCPA GSG Caves and Karst Working Group2023 VdHK paper on Water in Karst UN Water Conference
Threatened German Gypsum Karst in South Harz, Photo: Peter Hofmann
VdHK won the EU Natura 2000 Award (2022) for its CaveLife App in the category cross-border cooperation.
Stefan and Christian Zaenker with the award. Photo: Alex Weigand
German cave in a protected area. Photo: Spelaeologische Arbeitsgemeinschaft Hessen e.V.
The German Speleological Federation
is a member of
The German League for Nature DNR
The European Environmental Bureau EEB
Highlighting the Underground
Cave photographers and caving clubs involved in the KARST-AWARE website:
Florian Bachmann
Alex Bengel and Timo Hess
Pilippe Crochet
Jörg Dreybrodt
Csaba Egri
Chris Groves
Jochen Hessens
Peter Hofmann
Klein und Neumann
Stefan Meyer
Andreas Schober
Oliver Schöll
Spelaeologische Arbeitsgemeinschaft Hessen e.V. Bärbel and Werner Vogel
Alex Weigand
Max Wisshak
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