Geocaching for citizen science

[Pest Watch 0]

Hi all good Education and Geocaching people

 

I am looking into the utilisation of Geocaching in a similar way as is done for EarthCache.

I am thinking of linking sites to activities that educators, leaders and facilitators can incorporate into their programs and add to a community approach to scientific data gathering (Citizen Science).

The focus of these caches would be to provide educational activities and surveys and be more biology and biosphere centered, this does lead to the issues of changing biota in the area and some educational outcomes being compromised.

I however would look at providing physical caches at sites as it would lead to better engagement during off seasons, while aiming to fulfill the objective to promote the activity of Geocaching and location-based outdoor play.

I would also like to place links to surveys and information within the online Cache descriptions so others outside of specific education or science groups could engage with the work or information available.

 

I release that there is a focus on non-commercialisation of the Geocaching game and brand(this is not a commercial exercise), however I also realise that Earthcache is managing some aspects of this, and can link to some external resources.I have read through the Geocaching rules and guides as well as many posts, and feel I can work in this space.

 

Now I turn to fellow Geocachers for feedback.

 

At this point I am looking for comments and clarification of the limits of the Geocache community to government group involvement. This program is an Australian government driven initiative with links to Cooperative Research Centers (CRC) and Department of Education programs.

Apologies for the long post just trying for clarification, any comments, engagement or clarification is greatly appreciated as I do not want to overstep any boundaries of this fun and fulfilling activity.

[+ecanderson 595]

To let you know regarding the last item: here in the U.S., we have a fair number of governmental agencies who not only condone, but place and maintain caches in their areas of control. One was even periodically seeding their cache with silver dollars one summer season in order to draw people to their facility. Our own area does CITO events in conjunction with the local county government. They are asked where CITO help is needed, and they provide the tools and we provide the manpower.

 

So that precedent has been pretty well set -- at least for reviewers here.

Edited April 9, 2014 by ecanderson

[Keystone 3458]

I am moving this thread from the Geocaching.com Web Site forum to the Geocaching and Education forum.

[+Walts Hunting 3]

Your comments are kind of general and it would be hard to make a judgment. How about an outline for one so we can better evaluate. One thing to keep in mind is that on a traditional signing the cache log is all that you can require

 

Another you said you would consider placing a physical cache at some. A physical cache to sign is required for all caches except lab.