Transcript PowerPoint - Wisconsin Geocaching Association

The geocachers are
coming!
But that's a good thing.
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Introduction
 What is geocaching?
 Who are the geocachers?
 What are the rules and who enforces
them?
 What are other parks doing?
 How can you prepare for geocaching?
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What is geocaching?
 Low-impact outdoor activity for GPS
users of all ages
 GPS =
Global Positioning System
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Global Positioning System
 GPS is a system of
27 satellites (24
active, 3 reserve)
to calculate your
position.
 Satellites transmit their current
position down to Earth via radio
waves.
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Global Positioning System
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GPS receiver
 Receives signals from GPS
satellites.
 Determines latitude and longitude
of your current position on the
Earth's surface.
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GPS receivers
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GPS receiver
 Location can be
displayed on a map
background
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GPS receiver
 Display of distance,
bearing and ETA to
a selected waypoint
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Other GPS receiver
features
 Determining satellite signal strength and
margin of error
 Marking waypoints (latitude and longitude
coordinates)
 Keeping a graphical track of your journey
 Displaying street and topographical maps
 Automatic route creation and traversal
 Electronic compass
 Barometric pressure altimeter
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Uses for GPS receivers
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Hiking and backpacking
Canoeing and marine navigation
Hunting and fishing
Bird watching
Search and rescue
Exercise progress tracking
Traveling via car, motorcycle, bicycle
Geocaching
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What is geocaching?
 Outdoor adventure game for GPS
users of all ages.
 The basic idea is to set up caches
(hidden containers) and share the
locations (latitude/longitude) of these
caches on the internet.
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What is geocaching?
 GPS users can then use the coordinates
to find the caches.
 The visitor may take
something from the
cache, leave something,
and/or sign the logbook.
 The “find” is then logged onto the
Internet website where statistics
about found and hidden caches are
maintained.
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What’s the point?
 It may sound simple, but many
caches are well hidden.
 Many require searching and
experience to find.
 Only a few geocaches are
accidentally found by nongeocachers.
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What’s the point?
 Sometimes just getting to the cache
area can be a big part of the
adventure.
 It's one thing to see the latitude and
longitude plotted on a map, but it can
be quite a task to figure out how to
get from here to there.
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What’s the point?
Geocaching can be thought of in two
parts:
 The journey to reach the cache area.
 The challenge of actually finding the
cache container.
Both can be equally rewarding.
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Misconceptions about
geocaching
“Geocaches are buried.”
 FACT: Geocaches are
not allowed to be buried
in the ground.
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Misconceptions about
geocaching
“Geocaches are litter or
abandoned property.”
 FACT: Geocaches are
not litter or abandoned
property.
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Misconceptions about
geocaching
“Geocaching will damage the
land.”
 FACT: Geocaching foot traffic
is similar to hiking, trail
walking, or bird watching.
 Most caches are placed near
trails.
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How Did It Get Started?
 On May 1, 2000, the GPS signal
degradation called Select Availability
(SA) was removed.
 The change allowed GPS units
owned by civilians to be more
accurate – to within 20 feet or
better.
 On May 3rd, 2000 someone hid a cache
in Oregon and posted the coordinates
on the Internet. It became the first
geocache.
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How Did It Get Started?
 Jeremy Irish, the owner of the
Geocaching.com website, expanded the
idea and named it “Geocaching”.
 Geocaching is now in all 50
states and more than 200
countries.
 Geocaching.com is by far
the #1 website for
geocachers.
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Worldwide geocaches
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U.S. geocaches
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Wisconsin geocaches
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Who are the geocachers?
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Who are the geocachers?
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Geocache containers
 A weather-resistant
container such as
Tupperware,
Rubbermaid, or
surplus ammo box
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Geocache containers
 Usually a weatherresistant container
such as
Tupperware,
Rubbermaid, or
surplus ammo box
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What’s in a cache?
 Logbook
 Trinkets to trade
 Examples: maps, books, software,
hardware, CDs, videos, pictures, coins,
tools, games, etc.
 Information sheet that explains the
container and geocaching, as well as
contact information.
 Disposable camera (optional)
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What’s in a cache?
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What are the rules?
Cache placement
 No caches on land maintained by the
U.S. National Park Service or U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service (National Wildlife
Refuges)
 No caches that are buried.
 No caches placed on archaeological or
historical sites.
 No caches in Wisconsin SNAs
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What are the rules?
 No caches close to active railroad
tracks. 150 feet minimum.
 No caches on military installations.
 No caches near or under highway
bridges, dams, government buildings, or
airports.
 No caches on school property without
permission.
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What are the rules?
Cache placement
 No “vacation caches”
 No cache closer than 0.1 mile (528 feet)
to an existing cache.
 Cacher owner must obtain permission
from park manager, if required.
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What are the rules?
Cache contents
 No food
 No weapons (knives, ammunition,
explosives)
 No drugs or alcohol
 No adult materials
 No solicitations (business, religious,
political)
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Who enforces the rules?
 Geocaching.com
 Controls listing of geocaches worldwide on
its website.
 Caches are approved by volunteer
reviewers.
 Reviewers do not visit the geocache in
person as part of the approval process.
 Reviewers view the online description,
coordinates, topo maps, proximity to other
caches, compliance with known park rules.
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Who enforces the rules?
 Wisconsin Geocaching Association
 Geocaching.com has granted the WGA
the authority to review geocaches.
 WGA has the 2 geocache reviewers on
our board of directors who review all
Wisconsin geocaches submitted to
Geocaching.com.
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Wisconsin Geocaching
Association
 www.wi-geocaching.com
 Non-profit corporation
 600 registered members
 An elected board of directors
 We encourage geocachers to
cooperate with park managers.
 Plan and host geocaching events
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Wisconsin Geocaching
Association
WGA Picnic Event
McKenzie Environmental Education Center, Poynette, WI
August 21, 2004
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Variations on the game
 Traditional caches
 Multi-caches / Offset
caches
 Virtual caches
 Event caches
 Travel bugs
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Typical travel bug map
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Cache In / Trash Out
(CITO)
 While searching for a cache, geocachers are
encouraged to pick up and tote out trash they
find along the way.
 Many geocachers put trash bags in their
caches so other geocachers can use them to
pick up trash in the area.
 Geocaching organizations often host large
CITO events for picking up trash in an area.
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Cache In / Trash Out
(CITO)
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Cache In / Trash Out
(CITO)
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What are other parks
doing?
 Most parks in Wisconsin either allow geocaching
or have no official policy.
 State Natural Areas - geocaches not allowed.
 City of Madison Parks - Geocachers need to get
permission. Reviewer will require name of permit
issuer on cache page.
 City of Madison Conservation Parks – geocaches
not allowed.
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What are other parks
doing?
 Dane County Parks - Special use permit
required, $10 fee required. Reviewer will require
name of permit issuer on cache page.
 Waushara County Parks - geocaches not
allowed.
 National Park Service lands - geocaches Not
allowed. This includes the St Croix National
Scenic Riverway.
 Federal Wildlife Refuges – geocaches not
allowed.
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What are other parks
doing?
Wisconsin DNR proposed policy highlights
 Written authorization required.
 Location may be used for up to 1 year.
 DNR reserves the right to terminate approval for
placement of a geocache container for any reason at
any time.
 The Department agrees to make a reasonable effort to
contact the geocache owner prior to termination of
approval to allow the owner to remove the geocache or
move it to a new location.
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What are other parks
doing?
WGA recommendations
for WDNR policy
 Permit for 2 or 3 years, or be
non-expiring. Initially
geocaches may get a lot of
foot traffic/visits. After an
initial flurry to find the cache,
foot traffic will taper off.
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What are other parks
doing?
WGA recommendations for
WDNR policy
 The WGA recommended that the
DNR post their policy on the DNR
webpage.
 WGA will also post the policy, plus
links to download the permit form.
 DNR and WGA can post
information on who to submit the
permit to.
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Geocaching benefits for
land managers
 Increases number of park visitors.
 Increases purchase of user fees.
 Park-friendly activity - geocachers
respect the land and facilities.
 Wholesome family activity - teaches kids
a love for the outdoors.
 “Cache In/Trash Out” initiative.
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How can you prepare for
geocaching?
 Decide if you want or need a geocaching
policy.
 Post your policy on line. Include permit
form and park contact information.
 Let the WGA know so we can publicize
your policy and help enforce it.
 Questions? Ask the WGA – we will be
glad to help.
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Let the WGA help you
 Learn more about geocaching at:
www.geocaching.com (the worldwide
resource for geocaching)
and www.wi-geocaching.com (WGA).
 When a geocacher asks permission to
place a geocache in your park, please be
open to the request.
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Let the WGA help you
 If you would like the WGA to inform our
members about your park’s policy on
geocaching, let us know.
 If your park does not have a geocaching
policy, we would be happy to work with
you to develop a draft policy.
 The WGA will list your park’s policy at our
web site so all Wisconsin geocachers
can be better informed.
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Thank you!
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