Earthcache placement questions

[LMcGismeParticipant]

I’ve been meaning to place an Earthcache or two for quite some time, but have been hesitant due to all the extra guidelines that go along with them. I’d hate to spend a lot of time researching and writing something up only to have it shot down by geoaware, so I thought I’d seek input from you Earthcache gurus first.

I noticed that the guidelines say that the Earthcache should take you somewhere unique. How unique does it have to be? If I’m thinking of an artesian spring, but there’s already an Earthcache at one 50 miles or so away, is that unique enough? And even if unique enough for geoaware would it be frowned on by other cachers because its not unique enough? Another idea is the glacial terminal moraine – there are several spots where you can stand and see the difference between the glaciated landscape and the driftless area. The idea would be unique, but not the actual spot. Has anyone had a problem with uniqueness when it’s time to get your Earthcache approved?

I also wonder about the educational aspect requirement. I’ve read several Earthcaches (seems like the majority of them*) where there is so much information that my eyes start to glaze over and I’m sure I’m not retaining much. I’d rather keep the lesson short and have it stick. Is the lengthy educational spiel something that geoaware is looking for, or just the cache placer trying to include as much info as possible? Anyone have problems trying to publish an Earthcache and you were told it wasn’t educational enough?

* most of my Earthcache reading has been for caches while on a trip, not Wisconsin Earthcaches

That’s it for questions for now, but I’d also welcome any other tips y’all might have. Thanks much for any help you can give.

Lisa

[Lostby7Participant]

Hi Lisa.

So many questions…where to start…

Firstly, I have never had a problem with Geoaware questioning my placements. I’m sure it happens but I have not been on the receiving end of it yet. The best way to avoid most issues is to do your homework. I recommend reading a dozen or so Earthcaches and getting a feel for what is out there and how other Earthcaches are presented. You do not need to be a genius to be able to present the material. The level of the writing should be geared towards (I believe) a 14 year old. There is nothing wrong with keeping the lesson simple so long as it is well explained. More is not necessarily better. I have done a couple of LONG write-ups and a couple of short ones…I like the longer ones better personally as those were the ones I was really excited to place and I hope others would be equally excited to find and learn about. If the subject is so-so then I don’t think an over the top 12 page write up about it will capture too much attention.

As far as getting all the work done then approaching the Land Manager goes, while I always roll the dice and have it 90% complete before I approach them that doesn’t necessarily need to be the way it is done. I think in general they want to know where the person will go to visit the cache and what they will be asked to do to log the cache…measure something…take pictures….take a water sample etc. If you can have those answers ready to give to the land manager you might get the permission you need. Basically they will tell you what is needed to get their approval. This link will be helpful in figuring out who to contact:
http://www.wi-geocaching.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=4396

Unique is best but as many geocachers don’t travel extensively there is room to repeat features.

[LightningBugs MumParticipant]

I would think 50 miles to the next closest artesian well is plenty far. Just look at all the artesian well earthcaches right around the Waukesha area (no offense to AuntieNae of course 😉 ).

[AuntieNaeModerator]

Spring City (Waukesha) .. yep .. there were LOTS of Springs .. and we have found all the remaining at this point.

Each is pretty unique in it’s own way especially the history of the locations.

I have a meeting on Saturday regarding the “project” and hope I can make the announcement after .. so there could be a lot more variety out there soon.

Renee

[LMcGismeParticipant]

Thanks for the replies – it helps to know what to expect from geoaware. I’m not worried about the permissions part – the places I’m thinking of already allow regular caches, so I can’t see a problem with Earthcaches. Its a good tip though to explain what type of education thing I’ll have people doing when I’m getting the permission.

Lisa

[Team DeejayParticipant]

Note that with earthcaches, they will insist that you have explicit permission to place your cache. Of course, you should have explicit permission to place any cache, but they require that you provide contact information for the people providing permission. We usually just trust you unless the location appears private or has known issues, such as DNR land or Dane County Parks.

[Trekkin and BirdinParticipant]

I know our placements are among those that are probably more like “school talk” as far as the educational aspect. That’s probably a reflection of our day jobs as educators. A teacher really can’t help but teach, no matter what we’re doing.

Everyone has an opinion on the dos and don’ts, but in the end, if you follow the guidelines regarding permission, place caches you’d like to find.
If someone else likes those types of caches, they’ll come. If not, no problem. There should be room for all, whether traditional caches or earthcaches. Look forward to seeing what you place!

[Cache_boppin_BunnyFuFuParticipant]

If the Earthcache in question is in the middle of where or land that there is no one to contact, if you let Geoaware know that, there should be no issue. For example, roadside geological/historical markers. There isn’t anyone to contact and people are stopping there already.

The hardest part with these is finding something for people “To Do” at them. It CAN’T be like measuring the sign, Have to have them guestimate something, describe and maybe hypothesis why it’s like that, etc. it’s not as hard as it seems….just need to be creative. You can always ask one of us, who is a Earthcache master, for some ideas on what to do, since we have probably seem similar things in other states.

Good luck!!

Fu

[LMcGismeParticipant]

@cache_boppin_bunnyfufu wrote:

If the Earthcache in question is in the middle of where or land that there is no one to contact, if you let Geoaware know that, there should be no issue. For example, roadside geological/historical markers. There isn’t anyone to contact and people are stopping there already.

Fu

That’s good to know about the roadside markers. There’s a great kettle pond with a descriptive roadside marker that I’d thought of using for an Earthcache, but decided to go with a regular cache because I didn’t know where to start with asking permission (couldn’t find the organization listed on the marker in google searches). Now that I’ve spent a lot of time camo-ing the container maybe I’ll place both there, since they can co-exist. The container is really site specific so can’t be reused elsewhere.

I’m waiting for permission from Madison parks for my first Earthcache. The idea is to look out over one of Madison’s lakes and estimate the height of the old valley floor vs the height of the now existing glacial drumlin using the estimated height of a specific building.

The one I’m having more problems with is the terminal moraine – to the east is glaciated and to the west its the driftless area, but other than standing there and describing how they look different I’m not sure what educational thing I can have someone do. Any suggestions?

[Trekkin and BirdinParticipant]

Can a person hike below the moraine and take elevation differences? Perhaps one on each side, and compare the two?

That’s the hardest part, I agree.

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