At the July 2007 NSS Convention in Marengo, Indiana, SPG Vice President Jack Rosenkoetter accepted the 2007 NSS Grotto Conservation Award on behalf of Springfield Plateau Grotto. 

SPG was awarded this prestigious honor for its many programs and projects dealing with ongoing cave restoration in several Missouri caves, the management of several privately-owned gated caves in southwest Missouri and its proactive involvement with public outreach education of the public. 

The major restoration projects include Fisher Cave of Meramec State Park, Tumbling Creek Cave in Taney County and its ongoing use of Breakdown Cave in Christian County as a restoration laboratory.  The management of caves includes one cave that contains prehistoric human footprints and torch remains, caves with pristine and unusual speleothems and caves containing fragile ecosystems.  The public education program is intended to teach scouts to use proper caving etiquette and is aimed toward educating students from public schools about caves, cave ecosystems and an appreciation for the conservation ethic.