Manatee County's High Tech Geocache Treasure Hunt

Taking Flight GeoTour:A High Tech Treasure HuntIn Manatee County’s PreservesMelissa Cain NellManatee County Natural Resources Department

Geocaching: A Quick Introduction• GPS enabled treasure hunt• Navigate to a specific set of coordinatesand find the cache at the site• Make a log and leave/take item• Find different types of“caches”: traditional, multi,Earth, letterbox, micro• Use a GPS unit or even yourphone

TFGT Goals• Intended to serve as an outreach programthat will reach multiple target audiences• Educate participants about Florida’s birdsand bird-related topics with emphasis onmessages from each Estuary Program• Introduce people to Manatee County’sconservation properties, providing a betterunderstanding of the Department’s network ofproperties• Model responsible behavior for geocachers

How DoesIt Work?

Building the Tour• Dream! Create a theme,budget, plan, etc.• Seek PARTNERSHIPS• Develop caches• Design passport• Build, hide, & receiveapprovals for caches• Website design• GeoTour marketing• Ongoing upkeep

Crazy for CachingWorkshops

Lessons Learned• Start small and “manageable”• Check site locations first – you never knowwhere a cache is hidden!• Be aware of Groundspeak’srules, regulations, and policy regarding “greenagendas”• Buy extra materials – caches WILLdisappear/get lost/get damaged• Plan time for upkeep and maintenance• If you want to focus on local participants,

Use In-House Talent

Successes• “Veteran” cachersare respondingpositively toeducational caches• New participants arebeing introduced togeocaching…andloving it!

Successes9/1/128/25/12Citizen science in action!

Thank You Partners!