The German Speleological Federation (VdHK) was established on 13 March 1955 in Donauwörth and is registered in Munich. It is the third German caving umbrella organisation and was preceded by the "Hauptverband deutscher Höhlenforscher" (1922 - 1945) and the "Deutsche Gesellschaft für Karstforschung" (1945 - 1950).
The VdHK is registered as a public-utility organisation. Its objectives are to survey and protect the caves and karst phenomena in Germany, as well as the protection of environment and nature monuments in the karst regions of Germany. These objectives are to be achieved through the following:
VdHK organizes an annual national congress, an important forum for the exchange of ideas, for lectures and information exchange. In addition, various other meetings are arranged and/or financed.
Publications are an important part of our public work. The "Mitteilungen" are released quarterly and include articles and notes on caving in Germany and world-wide. The year-books "Karst und Höhle" are mainly monographs on a special theme or region, while the "Abhandlungen zur Karst- und Höhlenkunde" deal with a variety of specific topics.
VdHK maintains a comprehensive library, containing most of the caving books and magazines from all over the world. The stock is increasing, mainly through the extensive exchange of publications.
VdHK sponsors innovative research applied to caves and karst in Germany, projects for environmental protection in connection to caves and the German cave rescue activities.
Members of the VdHK have created a self-administered fund to minimize the financial consequences of cave rescues - a unique instrument in the whole caving scene, world-wide.
VdHK is linked with several scientific and nature-protection organisations,
such as "Deutsche Quartärvereinigung", "Arbeitsgemeinschaft Geotopschutz",
"Deutscher Naturschutzring", FISAT (dealing with the industrial use of SRT) and
"DIN-Normenausschuss für
Sport- und Klettergeräte" in order to represent the caving interests.
VdHK started the Dr. Benno-Wolf award in 1996 in memory of the famous German speleologist Dr. Benno Wolf, who had jewish ancestors and was brought to death by the Nazis. Dr. Benno Wolf is, regarding to his famous performances in speleology and natural conservation, a link between the German caving societies before 1933 and after 1945 and many countries around the world. (further informations about Dr. Benno Wolf)
VdHK represents abt. 2.500 members, of which 2.000 are organised in 101 caving clubs. The other 500 comprise various individuals, institutions, authorities and commercial tourist caves.
For further information, please contact: