Purpose: To provide procedural direction for the activity of geocaching in provincial parks.

Definitions: Geocaching is defined as an outdoor activity in which participants use a global positioning system (GPS) to find a predetermined location or ‘cache’. Participating in a cache hunt is an activity designed to take advantage of the features and capability of a GPS unit while enjoying the freedom of access to public lands.

Caches themselves can be defined as either physical or virtual. A ‘physical cache’ is a container that holds a log book and small rewards (e.g. key chains, pins, coins, etc.) that is placed at a specified location for the participant to find. The visitor is asked to log their visit to the cache site and to leave or replace items that they find in the cache.

In place of a ‘physical cache’, participants may choose to use a ‘virtual cache’. A ‘virtual cache’ by definition, is a cache that exists as an object, which was already there, at a specific location (e.g. obvious tree, rock formation, building or structure etc.). Typically, the cache owner creates a virtual cache where physical caches are not permitted or cannot be appropriately maintained. Virtual caches are usually novel, of interest to others who geocache, and have a special historic, community or geocaching quality that sets it apart from everyday objects. The reward for these caches tends to be the location itself and sharing information about one’s visit.

Virtual geocaching is considered to be consistent with the goal and objectives of the provincial parks system and therefore may be an acceptable activity in provincial parks subject to certain conditions.

Management of geocaching is necessary due to public safety and liability issues as well as the potential to negatively impact provincial park natural and cultural heritage features.

Responsibility Steps/Actions

Park Superintendent Receives request for geocaching in a provincial park. Reviews request to determine if appropriate for the park, giving consideration to the following guidance:

• Virtual geocaches may be authorized in provincial parks, with the exception of nature reserve class parks or nature reserve zones in other classes of park, and historic class parks or historic zones in other classes of park.
• Virtual geocaches are not permitted in areas protecting cultural heritage features or species at risk.
• Physical geocaches of any kind will not be authorized in a provincial park.

If determined to be appropriate, considers site specific factors to determine whether to allow and, if so, a suitable location of a virtual geocache in the individual park. These include, but are not limited to the following factors:

1. Virtual geocache locations may be considered in park access and development zones as well as other park zones (except nature reserve and historic). Locations must be selected to minimize impact to natural and cultural features (i.e., stay on authorized trails at all times, avoid sacred/sensitive cultural sites and sensitive locations of species at risk).
2. The virtual geocache location and access route must be safe for participants.
3. The proposed location of a virtual cache should not conflict with any other permitted uses (e.g. campsites, land use permits or lease areas).
4. Considers the applicant’s request in the context of the total number and distribution of virtual geocaches that exist or may be appropriate for the provincial park.

If determined to be appropriate following consideration of site specific factors, authorizes the virtual geocache locations for a trial period of up to one year from the date of the procedure, using the Ontario Parks Virtual Geocache Contract (copy attached).

Applicant Once approved for placement, an external virtual geocache website posting must be made and include the following information:

• Identification as an authorized virtual geocache located within a provincial park.
• Visitors/geocachers are required to pay any applicable entry fee that may apply.
• It is the visitor’s responsibility to aquaint themselves with policies and rules pertaining to the park.

Park Superintendent Reviews requests for renewals and determines appropriateness of the request.

Amends contract.

Advises owners of existing unauthorized virtual geocaches that they are required to apply for authorization, using the attached contract, within one year of the implementation of this procedure.

Park Superintendent Advises owners of existing physical geocaches that they must remove their caches within one year of implementation of this procedure.

After one year of implementation of this procedure, removes all remaining physical geocaches.

Once a virtual geocache is approved, sends a copy of the contract to the appropriate zone office as well as a copy to Planning and Research Section.

Planning and Research Section Maintains a database and an associated map layer for all approved geocaches.

In keeping with the policy of assessing all new recreational activities occurring in protected heritage areas, Parks Canada has assessed the activity of geocaching¹. In reviewing the activity, Parks Canada assessed the benefits and potential risks the activity poses, particularly with respect to the mandate to commemorate, protect and present significant examples of Canada’s cultural and natural heritage in ways that encourage public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment, while ensuring the long-term ecological and commemorative integrity of these places.

An interim policy has been put in place for the remainder of 2005. A final policy will be prepared in 2006 following further consultation with the geocaching community and staff.

The interim policy is as follows:

• Virtual caches are to be located on official trails and in other publicly accessible areas, and must have educational messages related to the park/site associated with them. Parks Canada staff will assist with the development of educational messages for virtual caches.
• A moratorium has been placed on new physical caches. Existing physical caches will be removed, as will the website postings of physical caches. Web material will be archived through cooperation with website administrators².
• Physical geocaching is now posted as a prohibited activity in all Parks Canada-administered protected heritage areas, in order to provide a regulatory and compliance mechanism for managing the activity.

This interim policy was developed in response to the following concerns about the activity of geocaching:

• Off-trail use. Many species may be affected by off-trail travel, specifically at certain times of the year when they may be nesting or breeding. Maintaining undisturbed and unfragmented habitat is a key priority in protected heritage areas. Unmanaged placement of off-trail geocaches could contribute to increased impacts to wildlife. Further, trampled vegetation and soil erosion are also associated with off-trail use. In some terrain types, it takes only a few passes by people to create a highly visible “social” trail, which may, in turn, encourage further use and increase impacts.

• Impacts to cultural heritage. A geocacher may unintentionally disturb cultural artifacts or cultural landscapes. In these locations, placement of a physical geocache would be inappropriate and could cause damage to protected resources.

• “Pack-in, pack-out” and the “leave no trace” ethic. Parks Canada has worked hard to promote minimal-impact techniques in park and site users. Both the placement of physical geocaches and travel off official trails are at odds with our educational efforts in this regard.

• Public safety. Public safety concerns related to geocaching are based on the potential for increased off-trail travel in areas where there may be wildlife-related trail closures or dangerous terrain features.

For the remainder of 2005, Parks Canada will be consulting the geocaching community on the interim policy to consider alternate management scenarios. Parks Canada's key objective is to provide opportunities for visitors to participate in interesting and educational experiences in ways that minimize potential impacts. Parks Canada recognizes that the geocaching community has worked hard to maintain a respectful attitude towards nature and to promote responsible behaviour, and we look forward to collaborating on the development of creative management solutions that enhance the stewardship aspects of the activity.

For further information on the interim policy, or to provide comments, please email Claire McNeil at rec.activities@pc.gc.ca

1 This interim policy applies to all protected heritage areas (National Parks, National Marine Conservation Areas, National Historic Sites and Heritage Canals) administered by Parks Canada. For further information on Parks Canada’s network of protected heritage areas, see http://www.pc.gc.ca/agen/index_e.asp

2 All cache owners will be notified once a cache has been removed, via an online posting at the cache page. Geocachers may contact rec.activities@pc.gc.ca for further questions about cache removal. Caches will be kept for two weeks following removal.