How to explain Geocaching to a Ranger / Naturalist

[Guest Hamster]

A city close to where I live recently aquired 900 acres which it is turning into a park. They have a naturalist in charge, but I'm not sure how to approach the subject of Geocaching. Does anyone have any document that explains Geocaching in such a way that it might appeal to a Naturalist in charge of a brand new park?

The Geocaching FAQ seems to be more "techie" on the GPS portion than on the nature side of things.

[Guest sbukosky]

ually leave a garbage bag in my caches just for that purpose. Also, there is a positive economic impact for the parks and for the area. We eat, buy gasoline, souveniers, stay at motels. I for one, have never appreciated the parkland set aside for the public as much as since I've begun Geocaching. I'm finding them where I never knew they existed. I'm sure others are too. That means more people supporting government budgeting for city, county and state parks and job security for that ranger

[Guest Forester]

Talk to the land manager, what they don't want is people tromping through certain areas. There are areas that are the home to sensitive or endangered plants or wildlife almost everywhere. I can gaurantee that that this new park has several. Also there will be areas that will be archeologically significant, they definitely don't want anyone going there. Have them recommend areas to place the cache, they should not tell you or show were any of these special places are. They do this to protect these areas.

 

These are some of the primary concerns of these folks.

[Guest sbukosky]

One thing I forgot to say, also point out that nothing is buried. They often picture people using metal detectors digging up the ground.

 

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Steve Bukosky N9BGH

Waukesha Wisconsin

[Guest web-ling]

Check this related thread:

 

http://forums.Groundspeak.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/001471.html

 

Web-ling

[Guest TresOkies]

I went to one of our state parks on a caching expedition this afternoon. It's a lake park and in the winter months it's not very active. I stopped by the ranger station and chatted with the ranger for a while. I asked (nonchalantly) if he'd heard of geocaching. He said he hadn't and I explained it to him. He thought it sounded fun since he loves hiking. Perhaps he will join us.

 

I think the bottom line is, we have to win their hearts and minds one at a time. I'll resist the urge to generalize and hope that some day everyone who "manages" OUR LAND will see that this is a valid way to enjoy OUR LAND.

 

-E

 

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N35°32.981 W98°34.631

[Guest T-storm]

I have just submitted a request for permission to place a cache on Army Corps of Engineers project lands to the ranger at that project site. I hope to have at least acknowledgement back soon and hope for the permission. When I have a feeling for how the proposal was received, I'll post what I did and what worked or didn't as best I can tell.

 

One thing I will go on and say is that since I favor the "trash out" activity being associated with cache hunting, I have been looking for ways to increase participation locally. I hope this cache will gently do that. It is a multicache, first stage hidden fairly simply and near the trailhead. It contains coordinates to the final cache and a supply of trash bags with an exhortation to pick up a bit along the way and post pics with their online log. Of course those that can't be bothered still won't be bothered, but the "cache in, trash out" concept was what sold the ranger at another ACE site locally.

 

Food for thought,

 

T-storm

 

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http://www.cordianet.com/geocaching

[Guest TresOkies]

I mention the "trash out" aspect early when I describe geocaching so folks learn that it's an integral part of the activity. After talking to the ranger yesterday before going out, I made a point to stop back by the ranger station and throw the trash away so he could see me. I suppose that's grandstanding, but I hope it got the point across that we're doing more help than harm.

 

-E

 

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N35°32.981 W98°34.631

[Guest woodsatyr]

Don't sell the Naturalist short... most have degrees in biology and/or other sciences. I'd be real surprised if they weren't familiar with the many uses of gps. I'd bet they be excited about the geocaching idea. Like Forester said, their primary concern is going to be habitat protection. Let them provide you with a list of do's and don'ts and work with them. Include in your caches things like brouchures of the different habitats, plants and animals of the area. Use the cache as an opportunity to education others about the area and why it's important to conserve and protect such places. Also volunteer to help with trail building or identification of flora and fauna. Places like that are almost always underfunded and understaffed. Use geocaching as a tool to help them out.

 

Ok, that's my 2 cents worth.

 

:-)

[Guest Hamster]

d design protective management plans for the ledges and wetlands). Metroparks also owns land adjoining the City's, so currently there is about 1300 acres of parkland when combined.

 

I am somewhat familiar with Geocaching and would love to participate myself. I own a unit but have had little time to get to know it. I cannot encourage you or others to do this activity within this particular park because at this point, I do not "encourage" visitation at all. The "park" is in its infancy and there is much to do before we can make decisions as to what organized activities are permissible. I believe that you must value such areas, so I feel confident that you will understand when I say, that everyone involved with this project, wishes to see it become a proud legacy of natural resource protection. As the naturalist here, I personally do not wish it to be loved to death by visitors, nor witness any further destruction to the vegetation, wetlands and forests, than has already occurred.

 

If you would like to get a feel for the property, park at the stone house and walk back the oil well road (just to the south of the house). Parkland is primarily all north of this road. Please use caution and let a friend or family member know where you'll be, if you go alone. I can't imagine you getting lost but it can be rough walking back there. Even a minor injury could become serious, if you venture very far afield.

 

Have you explored our Center Valley Park? This is a 225 acre park located along Tinkers Creek. This park is open to the public and if you'd like to organize a Geocaching activity there, I would be interested in working with you to make that possible. We are always looking for new programming here and with the interest in GPS use these days, I think that such a program would be well received. Center Valley Park can be entered along the bike path at three locations; Glenwood Dr., Idlewood Park and at the Dodge School on Ravenna Rd., if you'd like to explore it yourself. Of course, if you have your own group that participates in the Geocaching activity, you are welcome to do that in Center Valley Park. From what I know of it, there is no impact on the environment connected with this activity? I encourage use of the Center Valley Park by passive recreational groups, since their usage generally serves to dissuade vandalism and other, more impacting activities.

 

Hope all of this answers your questions and perhaps offers some possibilities to you. If I can help you any further, answer additional questions, please feel free to contact me.

[Guest geospotter]

Here's another idea for the park. Check out this thread...

 

http://forums.Groundspeak.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/001340.html

[Guest Linda]

We were pleased to see that not only did a local state park manager visit one of our caches, but he also asked for local geocachers' help in fixing their trail map! See Keystone Kapers

[Guest JAMCC47]

Here is the reply that I received from the USFS when I inquired about GeoCaching.

 

Just had a brief discussion with the rest of staff on this topic. We are aware of geo-

caching within the district, and do consider these items "abandoned property" (after 48 hours of placement). With all the projects

and high-priority items on our "to do" lists right now, you probably already realize that removing these caches is not something we would run out and do in and of itself. However, if you DO find a cache, you would be

well within the parameters of your duty as a volunteer to pull these "abandoned" items out of the backcountry. Just be careful- in this day and age you never know what may have a dangerous surprise waiting when you

touch it. Let us know when you do, and where you take it from- thanks.

 

Take it for a reality - The USFS has their rules. So we will have to act accordingly.

 

 

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JoseCanUSea

[Guest pater47]

1) Jump in their truck and scream "you'll never take me alive."

2) Giggle after every sentence.

3) Hold the cache box close to your chest and mutter "nothing in here - nothing in here".

4) Hold the GPSr up to your mouth and say "Agent 44, we've encountered humans - better teleport me out of here."

5) Ask if you can add their hat to the cache.

6) Ask if they know whose marijuana plants those were growing way back there.

7) Whisper things to your caching partners. This works especially well if you're alone.

8) Mention that this was the first time you've encountered Grizzly bears in this part of Texas. This has added effect if you happen to be in Florida at the time.

9) Offer him money to say, "Heeeey Boo-boo!"

10) Tell them you're in a really big hurry because you've got 14 more caches to place in National Parks by the end of the day.

[Guest T-storm]

Something of interest is that not all USFS units are taking this stance. There is a cache here in Texas in a National Forest by permission of the local rangers. The "abandoned property" law is quite open to interpretation, and as can limit our activity but don't HAVE to do so. The Army Corps of Engineers uses pretty much the same code, but the district in which I live has taken a friendly approach and another cacher and I have obtained permissions for caches at two local Corps projects from two separate rangers. Maybe tomorrow night I can scrape up enough energy to post info on what I submitted in my geocaching proposal. I received a printed, signed permit for my cache.

 

T-storm

 

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http://www.cordianet.com/geocaching

[Guest JAMCC47]

Originally posted by T-storm:

Something of interest is that not all USFS units are taking this stance. I received a printed, signed permit for my cache.

 

T-storm

I like the idea of a permit, I'll mention it to the USFS. That way if there were guidelines may we can co-exist, and all have

fun. Thanks.

 

 

 

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JoseCanUSea

[Guest JAMCC47]

Originally posted by T-storm:

Something of interest is that not all USFS units are taking this stance. I received a printed, signed permit for my cache.

 

T-storm

I like the idea of a permit, I'll mention it to the USFS. That way if there were guidelines may we can co-exist, and all have

fun. Thanks.

 

 

 

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JoseCanUSea

[Guest T-storm]

, a new polo-style shirt, a new, empty small makeup bag, 3 cloisonne style ferret lapel pins (our signature piece), a single application sunblock packet, several packets of flower seeds, and a few other toys and trinkets, plus a cache note and a logbook with a mechanical pencil. The picture Cache_Site.jpg is of the general site of the final cache and the picture Hidden_Cache1.jpg is a shot of the cache in its hiding place. Look carefully! The coordinates for this spot are 33 02.###N -097 11.###W. The approach follows a little ridge overlooking a (currently and long dry) inlet fairly filled with trash. If you shut out the trash, the views are lovely. My hope is that seekers will follow the "cache in, trash out" philosophy espoused on the Geocaching.com website and remove some of the litter distractions. They will be asked to pose with their trash "take" and to post the pictures with their online log.

 

The cache is NOT listed on any site at this time. You can see examples of cache listings at www.geocaching.com via the "Hide/Seek" button on the left. As it happens, the site's owner has used a picture of my daughter for the image that replaces the Geocaching logo when you move the mouse to that button! I would appreciate corrections and/or additions to the information I intend to provide to cachers about the park. My understanding is that:

1. There are equestrian trails, but some trails are bikes/hikers only trail. Bikes are allowed from the aforementioned trailhead but may not be allowed on all trails so riders should observe the trail markers.

2. Firearms and hunting are prohibited, but for your safety be aware that some folks ignore this (spent shells seen in the park).

3. Pets are allowed, on leash.

4. There are no facilities. Bring your water and be prepared to take trash out of the park with you for disposal.

 

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http://www.cordianet.com/geocaching