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Who Are We?
The Paha Sapa Grotto is an internal organization of the National Speleological Society located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, and is dedicated to the study, conservation, and enjoyment of caves.
Browse this page below or our events or projects page to find out more about what specifically we are involved with. The Paha Sapa Grotto meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month in Hill City , at the Miner Brewery. Each meeting normally begins with a presentation about caves, caving, or geology, followed by the business meeting. Current Grotto projects are discussed at the meeting. We also offer caving trips once a month for beginners! There are many benefits to joining the Grotto: Access to the web site's member features, a subscription to our newsletter, The Carbide Flash, and entitlement to grotto activities and cave trips. At just $12 a year, it's a deal! What Do We Do?
(Besides go caving! For that, check our Cave Projects Page!) Signs and Registers The grotto has placed signs and registers in seven caves on the Black Hills National Forest, in order to monitor use levels, encourage visitors to protect cave resources, inform the public about the grotto, and assist the Forest Service with cave management. Forest Service Agreement The Paha Sapa Grotto has entered into an official agreement with the Black Hills National Forest. Under the agreement, the grotto provides volunteer services and expertise to the Forest, and the Forest consults with the grotto on activities that could affect cave resources. The grotto has provided cave management recommendations to the Forest, field-checked proposed quarry sites to ensure that cave resources are not affected, monitored cave visitation with registers (above), and surveyed numerous caves on Forest Service land. Adopt-a-Highway: U.S. Highway 16 Through the SD-DOT Adopt-a-Highway program, the grotto has adopted a section of U.S. Highway 16 through Jewel Cave National Monument. Our first roadside cleanup was held in May 2007. Davenport Cave Gate This Forest Service cave has a gate designed to allow use by bats. After the gate was breached by vandals in 2003, the grotto provided the design and skilled labor to repair and upgrade it. Wind and Jewel Cave Restoration Camp Several grotto members have participated in the annual Wind / Jewel Restoration Camp, which is hosted by the National Park Service each year. Volunteers have helped the parks to remove accumulations of lint and hair from cave tours, trail construction debris, and wax from old candle lanterns. Cave Managers and Owners The grotto has a long history of interactions with cave managers, including government agencies, private landowners, and operators of commercial caves. If you are an owner or operator of a local cave and would like to become involved with the Grotto, or would like to request grotto assistance/advice feel free to come to our next meeting! History
The Paha Sapa Grotto was founded in 1966, and began as a student organization at the
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. The first meeting was held at the school in September of 1966. Paha Sapa Grotto Officers, Past and Present 2019 (Current): Chairperson: Chris Pelczarski Vice Chair: Adam Weaver Secretary: Karl Emmanuel Treasurer: Thang Nguyen 2018 Chairperson: Chris Pelczarski Vice Chair: Adam Weaver Secretary/Treasurer: Steve Curtis 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2011-12 Chairman-Dan Austin Vice- Larry Shaffer Sec/Treas-Lydia Austin 2010-11 Chairman-Dan Austin Vice- Larry Shaffer Sec/Treas- Sara Booth 2009 Chairman- Dan Austin Vice- Mike Hanson Sec/Treas- Sara Booth 2008 Chairman- Marc Ohms Vice- Dan Austin Sec/Treas- Sara Booth 2002-2007 Chairman- Marc Ohms Vice- Mike Wiles Sec/Treas- Rene Ohms 1999-2001 Chairman- Marc Ohms Vice- Mike Wiles Sec/Treas- Steve Baldwin 1998 Chairman- Marc Ohms Vice- Stan Allison/ Myk Coughlin Sec/Treas- Steve Baldwin 1996-1997 Chairman- Jim Pisarowicz Vice- Marc Ohms Sec/Treas- Steve Baldwin 1995 Chairman- Robert Preston Vice- Dave Springhetti Sec/Treas- Steve Baldwin 1994 Chairman- Rick Bogue Vice- Myk Coughlin Sec/Treas- Lottie Hufford 1993 Chairman- Dave Springhetti Vice- Jan Harms Sec/Treas- Lottie Hufford 1992 Chairman- Dave Springhetti Vice- Jan Harms Sec/Treas- Robert Preston 1991 Chairman- Rick Bogue Vice- Dave Springhetti Secretary- Mike Hanson Treasurer- David Anderson 1990 Chairman- Mike Hanson Vice- Unknown Sec/Treas- Lin Stanton 1989 Chairman- Unknown Vice- Unknown Sec/Treas- Unknown 1987-1988 Chairman- Dave Springhetti Vice- Ken Anderson Sec/Treas- Mike Hanson 1985-1986 Chairman- Dave Springhetti Vice- Walt Kaminski Sec/Treas- Tom Barket 1984 Chairman- Unknown Vice- Unknown Sec/Treas- Unknown 1983 Chairman- Mike Pagel Vice- Al Paulson Secretary- Glen Alexander Treasurer- John Groehn 1982 Chairman- Mike Pagel Vice- Vern Novstrup Secretary- Sheryl Charter Treasurer- Eric Waage/ Mike Wiles 1981 Chairman- Mike Wiles Vice- Vern Novstrup Secretary- Sheryl Charter Treasurer- Eric Waage 1980 Chairman- Mike Wiles Vice- Gary Schilberg Sec/Treas- Bert Weimer 1979 Chairman- Al Tigeler Vice- Mike Wiles Secretary- Doug Johnson Treasurer- Ray Peterson 1978 Chairman- Al Tigeler Vice- Monte Hieb Secretary- Elaine Bonawitz Treasurer- Jeff Farney 1977 Chairman- Paul Graves Vice- Loren Johnson Secretary- Cyd Durrett Treasurer- Joe Schwartz 1976 Chairman- Paul Graves Vice- Karl Martin Secretary- Dick Kemnitz Treasurer- Marvin Zaske 1975 Chairman- Bruce Zerr Vice- Mark Grahek Secretary- Jacky Ruter Treasurer- Marvin Zanske 1974 Chairman- Mark Stock Vice- Bruce Zerr Sec/Treas- Unknown 1973 Chairman- Bruce Zerr Vice- Mark Stock Sec/Treas- Dave Hichcock 1971-1972 Chairman- Unknown Vice- Unknown Sec/Treas- Unknown 1970 Chairman- Larry Lockwood Vice- Chuck Kliche Sec/Treas- Doug Lykken 1969 Chairman- Dennis Bryan Vice- Larry Lockwood Sec/Treas- Ron Albertson 1968 Chairman- Dennis Bryan Vice- Lin Seder Sec/Treas- Doug Lykken 1967 Chairman- Dennis Bryan Vice- Thomas Kiesling Sec/Treas- Brian Tucholke 1966 Chairman- Unknown Vice- Unknown Sec/Treas- Unknown |