We have a new geocacher in the area who is also a park ranger. I thought you might be interested in this email exchange with him. (Tim gave me permission to post it here.)

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Ken Braband wrote:
> I’ve enjoyed reading some of your posts in
> geocaching.com. I noticed you’re a park ranger. The
> Wisconsin Geocaching Association has been working to
> establish a good relationship with park rangers and
> managers in Wisconsin. Since you obviously
> understand the benefits of geocaching to
> participants, I’d be interested in how you think we
> should approach other park rangers and managers to
> solicit their cooperation.
>
> If you have not already done so, I encourage you to
> visit the WGA web site at
> http://www.wi-geocaching.com I would especially ask
> that check out the forum listing called “Wisconsin
> DNR”. There you will see a on-line discussion about
> steps we have been taking to work with Sue Black of
> the DNR to establish a geocaching policy for
> Wisconsin State Parks.
>
> If you’re interested, you could become a valuable
> resource person for us as we continue to work to
> make sure geocaching is an accepted form of family
> recreation in Wisconsin.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Ken Braband
> Wisconsin Geocaching Association
>

Hi Ken

Thanks for the nice e-mail. I first learned about
geocaching when one of my “wheresgeorge” dollars ended
up in a cache. I did a search to find out what the
heck a geocache was. I was shocked to learn that one
called snakeden was in Menomonee County Park where I
often work. I told some other rangers I work with
about the treasure in the park and they thought it was
cool too. One slow night I set out to find it with my
partner and we were hooked.

Anyway I would say most rangers I know would see it as
as fun, harmless recreation. We are used to dealing
with drunks, vandals, and other hooligans that mis-use
the parks so this is refreshing to learn of positive
acitivity. The cache in/trash out campaign certainly
helps the image too.

Park managers can be posessive of their park. Even
though it is public property they tend to refer to
them as “my” park. I would say be up front with them,
explain how it works, certainly mention the trash out
campaign. Like us they would be suspicious if they saw
someone poking around without knowing what they were
up too. Ask them what areas would be off limits to
place a cache.

I think it’s good people post when a entrance fee is
required and the proper park hours. I would say keep
the cache reasonably near established trails, and
don’t put it somewhere where people will injur
vegetation or animal habitat to get to it. Don’t put
it anywhere that would encourage people to break park
rules to get it; such as a restricted area or no
swimming zone. Don’t put it in a area that would be
dangerous for the seeker to enter, or get them lost
and cause the need for a rescue.

I know with the Waukesha County Parks you can get a
conditional use permit for activities in the parks.
It’s basically to release the County from liability
and coordinate the activity with the park manager.

I don’t know the State Parks or DNR policy on caches.
I don’t think the Waukesha Co Parks even have one.
Upper management may not be aware of the hobby. I
haven’t seen the need to mention it because I haven’t
seen any trouble related to these caches. Like I said
we are usually busy putting the kabash on rowdy
behavior.

I’m curious to check out the forum you mentioned and
see how the discussions with the DNR are going. I
could check with my ranger coordinator and see if you
could attend one of our meetings or meet the rangers.
That may not be till next spring though, as our season
is just about over.

Keep in touch.

Tim