UWGB disables all caches on campus!

[DCexplorer]

I had a nice multi on the UWGB arboretum, planted 3-1/2 years ago, that was involuntarily archived today. Here’s the WGA explanation:

Per the Arboretum Director, University of Wisconsin – Green Bay, this cache, along with all of the other caches in the Arboretum have been disabled. This is done in order to protect sensitive species and to prevent disruption of research areas.

My beef isn’t with the WGA for disabling my cache, but that the UWGB director is implying that my cache is somehow harmful or disruptive to the arboretum and the university and needs to go away. Perhaps a wiser, more intelligent approach would be to say something like:

Per the Arboretum Director, University of Wisconsin – Green Bay, this cache, along with all of the other caches in the Arboretum, have been temporarily disabled. Once it can be verified that the cache isn’t in an ecologically sensitive area or outdoor classroom area, it may be reactivated.

Sheesh! Do I have a right to be a little miffed, or am I off base? 😡

[GeoPink]

I would be miffed too. However, don’t be miffed with the WGA. We had absolutely nothing to do with it.

More than likely the Arboretum Director contacted gc.com or one of the WI reviewers and asked that this be done. It is unfortunately out of the hands of the WGA.

I would suggest writing or better yet, calling the Arboretum Director and getting his permission to place your cache in a non-sensitive area or verify that the placement is indeed not “harmful or disruptive to the arboretum and the university”. Last time I checked the Arboretum was open to the public.

And if it is the cache I am thinking of, it was a nice area that I would have never visited otherwise…

Good Luck!

[DCexplorer]

Here’s the complete message. Looks like only pre-approved caches in ‘safe’ areas.

“It has come to our attention that at least 10 caches have been placed within the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay Campus. Most of these are within our protected natural area where students and faculty carry out scientific research.

We are also fortunate enough to have an unusual geological feature (the Niagara Escarpment) in our natural area. This area is home to two endangered species. Two other threatened plant species are also present within the natural area.

For this reason we request that you remove the information about the caches on our campus ASAP. One of the cache sites on the escarpment has already been heavily trampled. I would also strongly suggest that you make it clear to people placing the caches that it is sometimes unlawful or unethical to place caches even on public lands without permission of the land manager. “Open to the public” does not mean that any behavior is appropriate.

I will begin to remove the caches from the campus within two weeks so I would also appreciate a notice on the website that they will be removed so that people stop looking for them. Please explain that they have been removed to protect sensitive species and to prevent disruption of research areas. Thanks so much for your assistance. The lat/long given as a reference on your web page for our site is 44.53117/-87.91635.

Please respond by email or phone so that I know you have taken care of the problem.

Kathyrn Corio, Arboretum Director
University of Wisconsin – Green Bay
2420 Nicolet Drive, Green Bay WI 54311-7001
(920)465-5503 [email protected]“

—
It’s so nice that to see Geocaching on UWGB labeled as a “problem.” I’m pretty sure it’s not Geocachers leaving beer cans and trash in the woods, construction debris heaved over the Niagara Escarpment, and campfires down by the shore.

[DCexplorer]

I know, Jeff, it’s not the WGA’s fault, but problem caches can be fixed with a scalpel, not a sledgehammer.

DC

[zuma]

I hate to nitpick with the fine folks at the UWGB, by the Niagra Escarpment is not all that unique of a geological formation.

For details see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niagara_Escarpment

Perhaps their endangered species growing there are dandelions and crabgrass?

z

[Coastiegirl04]

@zuma wrote:

I hate to nitpick with the fine folks at the UWGB, by the Niagra Escarpment is not all that unique of a geological formation.

For details see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niagara_Escarpment

Perhaps their endangered species growing there are dandelions and crabgrass?

z

Sorry i had to look more into it as i don’t also trust wikipedia, i looked at the DNR site about the Escarpment, and this is what i found
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/er/publications/niagara/Results.asp
Not that i’m agree with what the UWGB did.. cuz they could of ask to be temoraly disabled and let the cache owner come and talk to them about it, and work something out.. that would of been smarting then what they went about it.. but this isn’t the first time we had a problem like this.. Lets hope we can figure out a way to stop something like this happening again

[Buy_The_Tie]

A couple of thoughts on this…..

1. Ms. Corio contacted geocaching.com (out in Seattle) with her request. That request was then passed on to the local reviewer to take care of it.

2. The caches were not archived, simply temporarily disabled. The hopes were that once the geocachers who had caches there could have a chance to communicate with Ms. Corio, maybe she could change her mind on the whole thing.

3. When a request like this comes in, it is VERY important that geocaching.com respond quickly and as directed. This will make the landowner with a problem feel better about possible future problems. In the end, showing responsiveness should increase the comfort level for a land owner regards to geocaching.

[DCexplorer]

I reluctantly pulled my cache today before it could be confiscated. I will write a letter to the aforementioned director, and try to enlighten her and prod her towards a more reasonable stance…

I will post what I write here, as well as any reply.

DCexplorer

PS – Don’t worry, I’ll be nice…

PSS – Are any of the other UWGB cache owners reading this thread?

[GrouseTales]

Did you have permission to have the cache’s there? If so, then I can see why you could be upset. If you didn’t obtain permission for these caches, then I’d be happy they lasted as long as they did. Without permission, GC.com must disable/archive them immediately up request.

[DCexplorer]

The cache was placed in 2003, well before most of us had to deal with DNR permission forms and the such. Geocaching was well under the radar back then. the UWGB trail system is publicly owned and open to the public.

Once again, I do not fault the GC & WGA for disabling it, I fully understand the need to act.

I’m not really mad, just peeved, as I hoped to avoid the hassle those of us are experiencing with the Brown County Parks department. I would much rather focus on my caches, and not navigating a maze of semi-hostile bureaucracy.

Unfortunately, I’m busy this week prepping for Rock Island, so I won’t have time to deal with the folks at UWGB until next week.

[shine_like_a_star]

Yeah, I (and others) have wanted to place caches in UWSP’s Schmeeckle Reserve, but they have an absolute no caching policy. I was bummed at first, but I do understand that as much as I would ask people to stay on the trails or whatever, there are those who wouldn’t. Fortunately, Two Islands of Green got around that problem. 8)

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