geoaware
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Posts posted by geoaware
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Hi all...thanks for the positive comments about earthcaches and the process...and I understand that in some locations 'permission' is not needed.
All we ask is that people take care about who really 'owns' the land. If it is an obvious public place, then thats fine. In some cases, such as city parks etc, its just courtesy to ask. As earthcaches have no containers, then almost every place is happy to have them set up on their land. The only times they are not is if the earthcache takes people to dangerous or sensitive places.....and therefore seeking permission really is a great idea!
In national parks, forests etc ....no matter what country....permission does need to be obtained. In many countries its can be against some law or code not to seek permission for an 'activity' in that location. Its far easier to play it safe and ask than for the cache owner to get into trouble.
But again, most places seem delighted to have an earthcache set up on their land....and working with the land manager/owner like this can open up doors for other geocaches to be set up!
Cheers
Gary (geoaware)
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The very fist Earthcache was set up in New South Wales Australia.......
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Hi
Sorry....the change to submission forms about approvals will be for Earthcaches - not through gc.com. We need this to keep the National Parks, Forest service and other groups happy and allow caching on these lands.
One of the biggest concerns that these groups have is that they are trying to protect some very sensative areas because of flora, fauna or even archeological reasons. A wrongly placed cache could damage these areas...and so they need to make sure that caches are placed in appropriate areas and/or way points are used to keep people on trails. I think that this is a fair and reasonable request and I understand that they want to be involved in the process.
In the long term I hope that these land managers will see that earthcaches can be a great way for them to attract people to see more of their parks, land etc
btw...i think its good manners to ask first before placing a cache on any land.
Cheers
Gary
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Hi again
I really appreciate this debate on earthcaches...and I take some of the points made as being excellent feedback. Thanks! We are working on some Q&A for the www.earthcache.org website that will answer some of these questions as well.
I would like to point out though that I or GSA has nothing to do with www.earthcache.com or www.earthcache.com.au
Like all caches, the responsibility for permission to place a cache on ANY land is with the developer. We will be adjusting our submission form to ensure that this is clear to the developer. We will be asking for details of the land owner/manager that permission was sought from etc (name, phone, approval number). We take this aspect very seriously! If any Earthcache has been approved and this is not the case it will be removed.
And finally, Groundspeak and GSA have been talking about Earthcaching since day one of this idea and project. We are in partnership (and a good one) rather than one sponsoring the other. We have other partners as well, including NPS. Subaru America is proudly a sponsor and we appreciate their great support!
I hope that clears up most peoples concerns.
Cheers all
Gary (geoaware)
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Hi folks (yes..i have posted a similar text in other threads)
It seems that there is quite a bit of mis-information about earthcaches. So I hope I can clear the air for poeple :
To start with www.earthcache.org is a site administered by the Geological Society of Amercia. The Earthcache Master (me) is the education director for GSA and yes, i happen to live in Australia. I have been caching for a while now and love it.
GSA is a not-for profit society that wants to promote a greater understanding of our earth. Earthcaching is part of the outreach program.
The concept of Earthcaches was to take the virtual cache and increase its educational focus so that visitors to the cache learn something, and not, as they do in some virtuals, just see a pretty view. As the concept developes we are getting better and making sure that this happens.
Earthcaches are developed by any cacher. They submit these through the www.earthcache.org web page so that we can check the appropriatness of the education and the lesson. About 30% get rejected...and most of these are asked to rework so they are more educational. Most developers are very happy to do this. Once we are happy that the cache meets those dealines they are sent to gc.com for approval.
Because of this step, currently Earthcaches are all linked to my account. This is not because i want to own them. GC.com and I have been discussing and working on getting the system adjusted so they can be transfered to the rightful owners. This only makes sense and is the right thing to do. All Earthcache developers who have asked know that we are working on this issue and it is our intent to get them ownership asap.
I have a small group of people from other countries (Canada, Germany, UK, USA and Australia) that I bounce ideas off and who provide valuable feedback (as does this forum)
No Earthcache developer has been paid to develop a cache. However, we do have the capacity to assist a cacher (some gas money) to work with a National Park etc, if the Nataional Park approachers us to have caches set up in their park. As yet this has not happened.
Earthcaches are a great way to take our game/sport and make a more formal education step. I am sure that this will open up geocaching to other groups, like schools and scouts and museums, which will just enrich the game.
I hope that people will be patient cas we develop the concept and be supportive of its aims. If you want to contact me directly...feel free glewis@geosociety.org
Cheers
Gary
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Hi folks
It seems that there is quite a bit of mis-information about earthcaches. To start with www.earthcache.org is a site administered by the Geological Society of Amercia. The Earthcache Master (me) is the education director for GSA and yes, i happen to live in Australia. I have been caching for a while now and love it.
GSA is a not-for profit society that wants to promote a greater understanding of our earth. Earthcaching is part of the outreach program.
The concept of Earthcaches was to take the virtual cache and increase its educational focus so that visitors to the cache learn something, and not, as they do in some virtuals, just see a pretty view. As the concept developes we are getting better and making sure that this happens.
Earthcaches are developed by any cacher. They submit these through the www.earthcache.org web page so that we can check the appropriatness of the education and the lesson. About 30% get rejected...and most of these are asked to rework so they are more educational. Most developers are very happy to do this. Once we are happy that the cache meets those dealines they are sent to gc.com for approval.
Because of this step, currently Earthcaches are all linked to my account. This is not because i want to own them. GC.com and I have been discussing and working on getting the system adjusted so they can be transfered to the rightful owners. This only makes sense and is the right thing to do. All Earthcache developers who have asked know that we are working on this issue and it is our intent to get them ownership asap.
I have a small group of people from other countries (Canada, Germany, UK, USA and Australia) that I bounce ideas off and who provide valuable feedback (as does this forum)
No Earthcache developer has been paid to develop a cache. However, we do have the capacity to assist a cacher (some gas money) to work with a National Park etc, if the Nataional Park approachers us to have caches set up in their park. As yet this has not happened.
Earthcaches are a great way to take our game/sport and make a more formal education step. I am sure that this will open up geocaching to other groups, like schools and scouts and museums, which will just enrich the game.
I hope that people will be patinet as we develop the concept and be supportive of its aims. If you want to contact me directly...feel free glewis@geosociety.org
Cheers
Gary
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I have posted three Earthcaches.
They all have to follow the guildesa found at www.earthcache.org
Gary
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Go to www.earthcache.org - that is the Geological Society of America's page with guidelines and an online form for submittal.
Cheers
geoaware
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Hi All
Earthcahes are alive and well. I developed two in Australia which have proved to be popular. We have more in the pipelines and have been negotiating with the National Park Service to have some set up with them Already we have three developed with the NPS and awaiting final approval.
The Geological Society of America has developed guidelines as well as an pre-approval process to ensure that these form of virtual caches meet a good education standard (see www'earthcache.org) I realise that some virtual caches are just not 'up to standard' but I hope that all the earthcache variety will all be worth visiting. Soon I hope you will see them listed as a unique cache type.
I really appreciate the support Jeremy and the Groundspeak people, and the geocaching community have given to this educational spin-off of what is a great activity.
Oh, by the way, I live in Australia, and work and play in the USA....so earthcaching will be truely international!
Cheers to all
geoaware (Gary)
New Virtual Guidlines
in Website
Posted
Hey guys - so people visited earthcaches and all they found was a bridge and a waterfall? I am surprised you did not learn something else about the earth from your visit......all the earthcaches approved have some lesson to be learnt from the visit. Thats the whole concept!
There are earthcache guidelines at www.earthcache.org. Not every earthcache that is put forward is being approved - we reject around 40% - but for many of these the developers come back with better versions which finally are approved.
In some cases older virtuals are being replaced by earthcaches (at the approval of the vituals owner)...as they make more sense.
We really appreciate the effort developers are putting into earthcaches. They take time to do the research and presnt a real experience for all who visit. They do take time to get right...and the effort put in benefits everyone.
So thanks!!