NSS- CDS congratulates 2024 Brett Hemphill Explorer of the Year Cameron Mahaffey!
This award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to exploration, line laying, surveying, and mapping while respecting landowner relations. The award winner receives a one-year membership to NSS—CDS, a plaque, a feature in Underwater Speleology, and recognition on the website and Facebook page.
Cameron made well over a dozen discoveries of virgin sinkholes and laid close to two miles of surveyed line within the past year (much of which was in areas previously thought not to contain going cave, such as the Archer and Williston area). He has generously shared his exploration knowledge with others, detailing the importance of gaining landowner support of access to these sites. This year alone, he has discovered or pushed the line in numerous caves, including Shitten Sink, Oubliette, Moon Pie/Gloopy Drop, Citadel Sink, Squanch Cave, and Mung Cave, to name a few.
Kudos to Cameron!
NSS-CDS congratulates 2024 Volunteer of the Year Lee Ann Waggener!
This award recognizes an individual who participates in and promotes NSS—CDS volunteer activities, such as Cavengers, Work Days, and other activities, contributing time, resources, and expertise to further the NSS—CDS mission. Lee Ann receives a one-year membership to NSS—CDS, a plaque, a feature in Underwater Speleology, and recognition on the website and Facebook page.
Lee Ann has volunteered at numerous NSS–CDS events, always willing to go the extra mile to ensure needs are met. She encourages others to share their time and expertise as volunteers as well. As a surgical ICU nurse, she contributed her invaluable skills and expertise to the CPR/AED and first aid session at the 2023 Winter Workshop and served as co-chair. She works tirelessly at the International Conferences, Winter Workshops, and Workdays. She recently donated a generator to NSS-CDS to help with power tools on future workdays. She promotes the mission of NSS-CDS and is an exemplary volunteer.
Bonnie Helfrich Grieco graciously accepted the award on Lee Ann’s behalf. Thank you for all you do, Lee Ann!
NSS-CDS congratulates Tom Morris – 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award winner!
This award recognizes an individual who exhibits a strong history of exploration, conservation, education, and safety and who has made significant achievements with community-wide impact in exploration, innovation, refinement of procedures and protocols, documentation, writing, and contributions to cave-related science while exhibiting a history of leadership and service to NSS—CDS.
Tom receives a Lifetime membership to NSS—CDS, a plaque, a feature in Underwater Speleology, and recognition on the website and Facebook page.
Tom has dedicated his life to preserving the North Florida region’s precious ecosystem. He graduated from the University of Florida with Wildlife Biology and Botany degrees. He has worked for Saint Johns River Water Management District and the Center for Wetlands at the University of Florida and as a biological consultant for Karst Environmental Services. He has combined his love for diving with his knowledge of the critical habitats the springs and aquifer caves create. In 1994, he helped publish the 110-page “Review of Biologically Significant Caves and their Faunas in Florida and South Georgia.” Mr. Morris continues to help conduct research for the University of Florida and is particularly recognized for his work with Santa Fe cave crayfish. He has explored numerous sites, including Sand Dollar, Mudbug, Shitten Sink, and Mung, to name a few. He has been an active member of the NSS-CDS and has exhibited dedication to the community with his countless speaking engagements and articles related to the Karst region. He eagerly shares his knowledge with the next generation and exudes the characteristics that make him the ideal candidate for this award.
Tom’s son, Scott, accepted the award.