Meeting with Cathy from Provincial Parks regarding the Development of a Geocaching Policy

• Cathy is a planner with Provincial Parks, conservation and recreation based.
• There are approx. 100 parks, each with different rules
• A benefit of geocaching is it may attract people to underutilized parks
• Concern: the creation of new trails that interfere with current park users, and the increase in traffic
• Concern: all-terrain vehicles – are they popular in geocaching? Will they be creating new trails?
• Caches located off the trails have potential pitfalls
• Trying to avoid an official permitting feature. They are trying to keep it at a district level – need to find out prior to placing the cache if it will be okay. A form will be filled out and kept as proof of authorization. You will be able to get a copy of the form if requested.
• Existing caches: if not problematic, it’s okay. If it becomes problematic, it will be removed. They are not going to search out existing caches and remove them.
• MBGA can provide a list of caches in the parks and who placed them there if problems occur
• MBGA needs to get a list of the addresses of the District offices for use on the Website
• Virtual Cache sites will also require authorization
• “On trail/Off trail” definitions: What constitutes “On trail/Off trail” varies with each park, thus you will need to discuss with park officers
• Heritage/Wilderness Land Use Categories: there is a concern with people rummaging around on an area with historic importance.
• Park Passport Idea (Cathy): a cache placed in every park – find them all and you get a prize – ideas like that to promote parks
• Can the MBGA get a list of the Heritage Areas? Are Heritage Areas marked? No real answer.
• Size of container restricted to 30 cubic cm (1 foot)
• Authorization application – MBGA makes sure cache placers have submitted authorization
• Final approval form - a .pdf file for people to download and fill out in advance.
• MBGA offered to set up a workshop with Provincial Parks for anyone interested in trying out geocaching.

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