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geoaware

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Posts posted by geoaware

    Earthcache Incentive Pins

    in Waymarking Archives (Read-Only)

    Posted

    Hi all

     

    The EarthCache Masters porject was set up to reward people for learning more about our planet by visiting EarthCaches. I think its great that so many people are taking on the challenge!

     

    Just a few points to help people through the process...

     

    1. You need to apply for all levels i.e. apply for bronze first, then silver. Applying for silver alone does not mean you will be sent a bronze pin as well.

    2. You can use the same caches for each level. i.e. you can use the first three that you obtained bronze towards your silver level.

    3. You must fill in the form completely...if you do not fill in the country/state field it will not be approved.

    4. State/country/province.....I take all these into consideration. The object is to get people to travel further than their home town.

     

    As TerryDad2 mentioned, the entire EarthCache program (approvals, pins, grants etc) is run by just one person. Sometimes I travel for work, am sick, or have a holiday. I try and clear things away as soon as I can....so please be patient if things don't seem to clear quickly.

     

    So....go out and get them EarthCaches...and lets see if we can get a whole group of Platinum level Masters.

     

    Oh....before I forget....on Sunday 8 Octover at 1pm we are trying to get a series of Event Caches set up related to EarthCaches. This is the first real launcg of EarthCaches...and it happens to fall on the first day of Earth Science Week as well. If you want to get involved....just send me an email at glewis@geosociety.org.

     

    Cheers to all

     

    Geoaware

    Category Proposal: Tidal Places

    in Recruitment and Category Proposals Archive (Read-Only)

    Posted

    I have started a group called Tide Watchers. If you wish to join please visit Tide Watchers Group

     

    This should definitely be a category that stands on its own. The popular Earthcache category is too restrictive and focuses too much on the geoscience behind it all. Some people just want cool places to visit.

     

    I'm not going to suggest earthcache because I don't know I think of interesting rock formations or something in there (Maybe I don't understand earth caches?=P) But I do think a general Tide category isn't necessary yet. We don't get to pick super categories... I would suggest starting with one of your sub-categories and then doing another and another, (maybe even making suggetions in each one for a tidal supercategory) and then hoping to get a supercategory for it. Trying to start with the supercategory will be a pain in everyones butts if you actually get it at some point... you'd have to rearrange everything! In the meantime you wouldn't be stuck with people just wandering down to the beach and waypointing and having several hundred waypoints in the same area. I think the general concensus would be that more refined interesting categories would be preferable over one large category to rule them all.

     

    one category to rule them all...and in the darkness, bind them!

    Caches In Nps?

    in General geocaching topics

    Posted

    Earthcaches ARE allowed on NPS land if you first obtain the permission of the local Supervisor. You then have to record that persons name, position and phone number in the waymark form......

     

    NPS Earthcaches are even listed with the NPS logo on the earthcache protal (www.earthcache.org).

    Latest On National Wildlife Reguges?

    in General geocaching topics

    Posted

    Earthcaches CAN be placed in National Parks, Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management Land....but all of them must have prior approval of the local land manager (that means a name, position and phone number) before we will approve them.

     

    We have agreements with all three of these agencies....who all seem delighted to have Earthcaches on their land.

    Earthcache Question

    in EarthCaches

    Posted

    Again, I apologise that I added the information about sponsors of the Earthcaching program to the Earthcache listings. I did not do this with the approval of Groundspeak.

     

    I will remove the sponsorship references from the listings asap.

    Earthcache Question

    in EarthCaches

    Posted

    Folks...I am sorry that this has caused a few of you so much concern.

     

    The 'Advert" was placed by me as the Earthcache Master for two reasons.

     

    1. Earthcaches are now found on Geocachinging and Waymarking - I felt it was important that people knew this and that they could find the link to them all at earthcaching.org

     

    2. Earthcaches are supported by the Geological Society of America and Subaru America (in the USA)...and that those people deserve some recognition as well. Without their support, and the support of many others including Groundspeak and you all, Earthcaches just would not exist.

     

    This will only be placed on the Geocaching.com Earthcaches. All these Earthcaches will eventually be archived as part of the plan to have all 'virtual' caches moved into Waymarking.com.

     

    Again, I apologise if this has cause you you concerns. You can, as some have suggested, just delete the code from the long description....but I hope that most will understand that dcoing this will help Earthcaches alive and kicking into the future.

     

    Cheers

     

    Gary

    Question About Earthcaches And Waymarking

    in Getting Started with Waymarking (Read-Only)

    Posted

    Most of the earthcaches submitted to www.earthcache.org meet all the requirements and are posted. From 1 October they will be posted as waymarks.

     

    From then, people will be able to just submit an Earthcache via the Waymark system....and GSA (the approver formally known as Geoaware) will approve or reject using the guidelines.

     

    Any person that gets an Earthcache rejected will get an email telling them why. They will have an opportunity to fix up any issues and resubmit. If we hear nothing after a week or so, the submission is deleted.

     

    All Earthcaches..no matter is they are geocaching.com and Waymarking.com...are listed on the www.earthache.org portal.

     

    I hope that helps.......

    Swag Bag..what's Yours?

    in General geocaching topics

    Posted

    I use one of those little airline bags qantas gives you when you fly cattle class across the pacific ...just throw away the sox and eye mask, keep the toothbrush...and there you have a little swag bag! Even comes with a neck strap.

     

    Considering i do that trip four or more times a year...I end up with a load of swag bags which i share between friends...

    Thanks For The Earthe-cache.....

    in General geocaching topics

    Posted

    Hi all

     

    As the Earthcache Master (a term that describes me I guess...but not one i really like)...this forum has been a very interesting read...and I have learnt some lessons from all your comments...so many thanks!

     

    It is so great to know that Earthcaches are providing people with a worthwhile experience.....thats what they are all about. Also, I realize and appreciate that Earthcaches are not for all people. Thats fine too. I just hope that people will at least give them a go. From reading the 2,800 odd logs from visitors to Earthcaches it does seem that most people have had a worthwhile experience from their visit.

     

    Earthcaches do go thru an approval process which is really a check of how appropriate the notes are (do they teach a lesson?, are they written so a layperson can understand them?, are they scientifically accurate? etc). We reject about 40% in the first past cause they do not meet these guidelines (which are listed at www.earthcache.org). Most developers then resubmit with updated notes etc.

     

    We are noticing that some people want us to approve sites that are just pretty views. These are rejected.

     

    We have worked hard with National Parks and the Foreset Service in the USA to open up these lands to Earthcaches as well (they are now very supportive of Earthcaches). We are going to continue to work with land holders who currently have "closed their doors" to caching to try and get approval for Earthcaches to be used on their lands as well.

     

    When a person visits an Earthcache and finds an issue with it, its is great is they can send me a note and let me know. In this case that is what has happened (so thanks!). Its also really importnat that they contact the owner so that the issue can be addressed by them as well.

     

    Like all things, Earthcaches are a learning process for us all. Over time we are getting better at the process, which makes it better for all. So again, thanks for the feedback - its all good stuff!

     

    Gary

    (Geoaware)

    Earthcaches

    in Canada

    Posted

    Hi ya

     

    While earthcaches have their own guidelines, these are just in addition to the standard guidelines for setting up any cache.

     

    While we don't insist that people have been to the site recently, we have rejected some earthcaches because developers have just 'guessed' coordinates. We tend to reject rather than approve of something does not look 'right' to us! We then ask for clarification from the developer.....just to be sure.

     

    With that said, we are still getting a fabulous array of great earthcaches being developed!

     

    Cheers

     

    Gary :D

    Earthcaches

    in Canada

    Posted

    Some earthcaches are being placed close to other caches. Before they are approved we check to see if the earthcache adds to the educational reason to visit the site - if they do, then they are approved. Some earthcache developers check with the other cache owners too - which makes a great deal of sense.

     

    Just read the notes of the two listed above ....its sort of evident why both can exist. You wether are drwn to the place cause you like beer, or cause you want to learn something about the planet. Either is valid!

     

    Geoaware :blink:

    Earthcaches

    in How do I...?

    Posted

    Yep - our webmaster is on summer holidays (so sorry the list is not up-to-date...but it will soon be!)

     

    As a matter of interest, there are now 220 live earthcaches, 130 of these are in the USA, 26 in the UK, 24 in Canada, 18 in Germany and the rest spread over another 14 countries. Every weekend (or just after) i get another 10-15 coming in for approval. We reject a few of these as they don't meet the gudielines. The rest are approved withing a day or so and sent to geocaching.com who convert them within a day or so as well. We then list them on the www.earthcache.org site once they are live.

     

    Cheers

     

    Geoaware :blink:

    Earthcaches

    in How do I...?

    Posted

    An earthcache is a type of virtual cache that takes people to places where they can learn something about the earth. Go to www.earthcache.org for more informtion.

     

    :P

     

    Gary

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