SHI lecture to explore hidden world of caves and karst
Internationally recognized hydrogeologist to discuss vital underground landscapes
Feb. 25, 2025
Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) will sponsor a lecture this week as part of its spring lecture series featuring prominent voices in Indigenous knowledge, art and culture, wildlife conservation and science.
The upcoming lecture will feature George Veni, an internationally recognized hydrogeologist specializing in caves and karst terrains, who will present his talk, “The World Below: An Introduction to Caves and Karst.”
Veni will introduce the often-overlooked world of karst landscapes, which cover 20% of the planet’s land surface. He will discuss how caves and karst sustain approximately 700 million people with drinking water, hold some of the richest archaeological and paleontological remains, and contain some of the most biodiverse ecosystems. He will also examine their role in scientific research, including their potential for human settlement beyond Earth.
Veni has conducted multidisciplinary environmental karst management research in the U.S. and internationally since 1987. He served as executive director of the National Cave and Karst Research Institute from 2007 until his retirement in 2023 and was a governing board member of the International Union of Speleology for 20 years, including five years as president. A widely published expert in hydrogeology, biology, and environmental management, he has taught courses and workshops on karst science worldwide and has had three cave-dwelling species named in his honor.
The lecture is scheduled for noon, Friday, Feb. 28, in Shuká Hít within the Walter Soboleff Building, 105 Heritage Way, in Juneau. The event will be livestreamed and posted on SHI’s YouTube channel.
This lecture is funded by the Alaska Chapter of Sigma Xi, the Sigma Xi Distinguished Lecture Series and the University of New Mexico Chapter of Sigma Xi.
Sealaska Heritage Institute is a private nonprofit founded in 1980 to perpetuate and enhance Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian cultures of Southeast Alaska. SHI also conducts scientific and public policy research that promotes Alaska Native arts, cultures, history and education statewide. The institute is governed by a Board of Trustees and guided by a Council of Traditional Scholars, a Native Artist Committee and a Southeast Regional Language Committee.
CONTACT: Kathy Dye, SHI Communications and Publications Deputy Director, 907.321.4636, kathy.dye@sealaska.com.
Caption: George Veni at Wurzbach bat cave entrance. Photo courtesy of George Veni. Note: News outlets are welcome to use this photo for coverage of this story. For a higher resolution version, contact kathy.dye@sealaska.com.