The geocachers are coming!

1. The geocachers are coming! But that's a good thing.

2. 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?

3. What is geocaching? • Low-impact outdoor activity for GPS users of all ages • GPS = Global Positioning System

4. 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.

5. Global Positioning System

6. GPS receiver • Receives signals from GPS satellites. • Determines latitude and longitude of your current position on the Earth's surface.

7. GPS receivers

8. GPS receiver • Location can be displayed on a map background

9. GPS receiver • Display of distance, bearing and ETA to a selected waypoint

10. 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

11. Uses for GPS receivers • Hiking and backpacking • Canoeing and marine navigation • Hunting and fishing • Bird watching • Search and rescue • Exercise progress tracking • Traveling via car, motorcycle, bicycle • Geocaching

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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 non-geocachers.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. Misconceptions about geocaching • FACT: Geocaches are not allowed to be buried in the ground. “Geocaches are buried.”

18. Misconceptions about geocaching • FACT: Geocaches are not litter or abandoned property. “Geocaches are litter or abandoned property.”

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. Worldwide geocaches

23. U.S. geocaches

24. Wisconsin geocaches

25. Who are the geocachers?

26. Who are the geocachers?

27. Geocache containers • A weather-resistant container such as Tupperware, Rubbermaid, or surplus ammo box

28. Geocache containers • Usually a weather-resistant container such as Tupperware, Rubbermaid, or surplus ammo box

29. 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)

30. What’s in a cache?

31. 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

32. 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.

33. 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.

34. 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)

35. 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.

36. 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.

37. 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

38. Wisconsin Geocaching Association WGA Picnic Event McKenzie Environmental Education Center, Poynette, WI August 21, 2004

39. Variations on the game • Traditional caches • Multi-caches / Offset caches • Virtual caches • Event caches • Travel bugs

40. Typical travel bug map

41. 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.

42. Cache In / Trash Out (CITO)

43. Cache In / Trash Out (CITO)

44. 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.

45. 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.

46. 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.

47. 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.

48. 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.

49. 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.

50. 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.