The VAR Landowner Recognition Award was established in 1992 to formally recognize landowners who have been particularly friendly and/or supportive of cavers over the years.

If you know a cave owner who should be honored, please contact Janet Tinkham at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or use our on-line nomination form.

The recipients to date:

YEAR

RECIPIENT

CAVE(S)

SPONSORS

1992

Buddy Penley

Penley's

Don Anderson, VAR

1993

Rhoda Paxton

Paxton's

RASS, M. Bracey, T. Andrus

1993

Ruth Propst

Sinnett-Thorn Mt.

Western MD Grotto, B. Meyer

1994

George and Lee Sively

Organ

Paul and Lee Stevens

1994

Robert E. Bright

Simmons-Mingo

PSC

1994

Gene Turner

Buckeye Creek

WVACS

1995

Charlie L. Simmons

Porter's

RASS

1995

Priscilla Teter

Mystic Cave

Monongahela Grotto

1995

John Knutti

Bowden's Cave

Monongahela Grotto

1995

Mothes Family

Friars Hole System

R. Jameson, L.Baker-Devine

1996

Dr. and Mrs. J. T. Rogers

Norman ent. Bone-Norman System

DC Grotto, WVACS

1996

Bill, Mildred, Judy Showalter

Cave Hollow, Arbogast

Craig Hindman, Carol Tiderman

1997

Cecil Porterfield

Pig Hole

NRVG, VPICC

1997

Andy Graham

Graham's Cave

Rockbridge Cty Cave Survey

1997

Connie Hausman

Dixie Carvens

BRG

1997

Geraldine Freeman

McClung's

WVACS

1997

Mrs. Clark

Clarks, Saltpetre Cave

Battlefield Area Trog. Society

1998

Kent Ford

Witheros

VSS

1998

Joe Lockridge

Breathing Cave

Sonja Ostrander, Tom Spina

1998

Bob Brooks

Cross Roads Cave

Ted Andrus

1998

Maurice Williams

Whitings Neck Cave

Tri-State Grotto

1998

Ted Monger

Jones Quarry Cave

Tri-State Grotto, Art Hanson

1999

Price Family

Starnes et al

NRVG, VPICC, BRG

1999

Richard and Frances Latterell

Moler's Cave

Frederick Grotto (Terry Welsh)

2000

The Ferrell Family

James Cave, et al

NRVG, BRG, VPICC

2001

The Combs Family

Dyer's cave

Tri-State Grotto

2001

Pat and Mike Dore

Scott Hollow

Baltimore Grotto

2001

Dave Mallow

Mill Run Cave

Carol Tiderman

2001

Robert Wyly

Siler's Cave

Sligo Grotto, Jim McConkey

2002

Dr. Webb

Giant Caverns

NRVG

2002

Upper Valley Reg. Park Authority

Grand Caverns

NRVG

2004

Charles Cassell

Cassell Cave

Gangsta Mappers

2005

Mr. and Mrs. JC Links

Tawneys Cave

NRVG, VPI

2005

John Mooney & Helen Baker

Higginbotham Cave

John Pearson, WVCC

2006

Steve Silverberg

Lost World Caverns

WVCC, Bubble Cave

2007

John and Christine Shiflet

Glade Cave

Front Royal Grotto

2007

Mike Newsome

Links Cave

(unknown)

2008

Pat MacNamarra

Blue Springs Cave

Charlottesville & Blue Ridge Grottoes

2008

Mark Burke

Alpena Cave

Shaver's Mountain Karst Survey

2012

Dan & Marian McConnell

Catawba Murter HoleCave

Charlottesville & Blue Ridge Grottoes

2013

Alex Lewis

Savannah Cave

Caroll Bassett, WVCC

2018

Dr. Charles & Jane Williston, DMV

Buchanan Saltpetre

Bill Grose

2019

Terry & Kathreen Walker

Brass Kettle Hole

Walker Mountain Grotto