Two weeks ago I met with two representatives of The Georgia Department of Natural Resources to assist them with their plan for a geocaching challenge. Currently the GGA and GroundSpeak have a very good working relationship with the DNR. The DNR recognizes the expertise of GGA members and would like to partner with them for a geocaching challenge.

The DNR is looking for means of increasing visitation in the state parks while geocachers would like permission to place caches in the GSPs. This is a great time for both party's to reach their goals.

The layout of the challenge is almost finalized and the details should be available in the near future. The challenge will have a 44 caches in 41 of their 50+ state parks.

Since Geocachers are more experienced with obtaining proper coordinates and have the proper hiding knowledge, the DNR would like your assistance with placing the caches. The DNR will supply the ready to hide ammo cans.

If you live close to a state park and would like to help the DNR with placing and maintaining a cache that is on the list, please email me with the name of the state park you are interested working along with your email info. You will need to assist the park manager with placing and maintaining the cache. You would need to forward all the pertinent information about the cache like the D/T level, attributes, the short description of the cache and any hint. The DNR will operate the cache pages. Your name will appear on the cache page as the steward for the cache.

Some park managers will have less of a interest with the caches than others and will probably only want to know where the cache is hidden.

Here is the list of available parks to steward.

Region 1 = 15
AMICALOLA FALLS STATE PARK & LODGE ->Trez
BLACK ROCK MOUNTAIN STATE PARK ->mertat
CLOUDLAND CANYON STATE PARK ->Edukated Redneck
FORT MOUNTAIN STATE PARK ->Edukated Redneck
FORT YARGO STATE PARK ->GeoMuse
JAMES H. SLOPPY FLOYD STATE PARK ->The aysiders
MOCCASIN CREEK STATE PARK -> phat.bak
RICHARD B. RUSSEL STATE PARK ->Lake bum
RED TOP MOUNTAIN STATE PARK AND LODGE ->Jeep02
TALLULAH GORGE STATE PARK ->mertat
TUGALOO STATE PARK ->Joebids
UNICOI STATE PARK AND LODGE ->phat.bak
VICTORIA BRYANT STATE PARK ->Joebids
VOGEL STATE PARK ->phat.bak
WATSON MILL BRIDGE STATE PARK ->Lakebum

Region 2 = 14
A.H. STEPHENS HISTORIC PARK
CROOKED RIVER STATE PARK
ELIJAH CLARK STATE PARK
FORT McALLISTER HISTORIC PARK
GENERAL COFFEE STATE PARK
GEORGE L. SMITH STATE PARK
GORDONIA-ALATAMAHA STATE PARK
HAMBURG STATE PARK
LAURA S. WALKER STATE PARK
LITTLE OCMULGEE STATE PARK & LODGE
MAGNOLIA SPRINGS STATE PARK
MISTLETOE STATE PARK Red Worm
SKIDAWAY ISLAND STATE PARK
STEPHEN C. FOSTER STATE PARK

Region 3 = 12
GEORGE T. BAGBY STATE PARK & LODGE
F.D. ROOSEVELT STATE PARK ->Phillips4
FLORENCE MARINA STATE PARK
GEORGIA VETERANS STATE PARK
HARD LABOR CREEK STATE PARK ->GeoMuse
HIGH FALLS STATE PARK ->Jassmaster
INDIAN SPRINGS STATE PARK ->ParrentsOfSam
KOLOMOKI MOUNDS HISTORIC PARK
PANOLA MOUNTAIN STATE PARK ->GeoMuse
REED BINGHAM STATE PARK
SEMINOLE STATE PARK
SWEETWATER CREEK STATE PARK ->Jazzmaster

Georgia State Parks

Thanks for everyone's help with this project. The ammo cans are arriving at the DNR's office this week.

An updated list.

Region 1 = 15
AMICALOLA FALLS STATE PARK & LODGE ->Trez
BLACK ROCK MOUNTAIN STATE PARK ->mertat
CLOUDLAND CANYON STATE PARK ->Edukated Redneck
FORT MOUNTAIN STATE PARK ->Edukated Redneck
FORT YARGO STATE PARK ->Gee
JAMES H. SLOPPY FLOYD STATE PARK ->TheWaysiders MOCCASIN CREEK STATE PARK ->phat.bak
RICHARD B. RUSSEL STATE PARK ->Lake bum
RED TOP MOUNTAIN STATE PARK AND LODGE ->Jeep02
TALLULAH GORGE STATE PARK ->mertat
TUGALOO STATE PARK ->Joebids
UNICOI STATE PARK AND LODGE ->phat.bak
VICTORIA BRYANT STATE PARK ->Joebids
VOGEL STATE PARK ->phat.bak
WATSON MILL BRIDGE STATE PARK ->Lakebum

Region 2 = 14
A.H. STEPHENS HISTORIC PARK ->localbiz
CROOKED RIVER STATE PARK
ELIJAH CLARK STATE PARK ->localbiz
FORT McALLISTER HISTORIC PARK
GENERAL COFFEE STATE PARK
GEORGE L. SMITH STATE PARK
GORDONIA-ALATAMAHA STATE PARK
HAMBURG STATE PARK
LAURA S. WALKER STATE PARK
LITTLE OCMULGEE STATE PARK & LODGE
MAGNOLIA SPRINGS STATE PARK ->localbiz
MISTLETOE STATE PARK ->Red Worm
SKIDAWAY ISLAND STATE PARK ->Johann Panholtz
STEPHEN C. FOSTER STATE PARK

Region 3 = 12
GEORGE T. BAGBY STATE PARK & LODGE ->fatkidsOTWunite
F.D. ROOSEVELT STATE PARK ->Phillips4
FLORENCE MARINA STATE PARK ->fatkidsOTWunite
GEORGIA VETERANS STATE PARK
HARD LABOR CREEK STATE PARK ->GeoMuse
HIGH FALLS STATE PARK ->Jassmaster
INDIAN SPRINGS STATE PARK ->ParrentsOfSam
KOLOMOKI MOUNDS HISTORIC PARK ->fatkidsOTWunite
PANOLA MOUNTAIN STATE PARK ->GeoMuse
REED BINGHAM STATE PARK
SEMINOLE STATE PARK
SWEETWATER CREEK STATE PARK ->Jazzmaster

I would like to thank those that have come forward thus far to help with volunteering on the DNR's project. I think this is a great opportunity for geocachers and the DNR to become familiar with each other. I know the Geocaching community has some great personality's and the park managers will meet some truly great geocachers.

As I see this DNR project develop I see more geocaches in great historic locations to find, more Travel Bugs to move and geocoins that are awarded to dedicated geocachers. The parks that are available are posted above and I'll update that list as the parks receive more stewards. Please email me with your interest so I can get your contact info then I'll inform you of future details as they become available. Thanks again.

I am late to the discussion (been busy). But how does this affect geocaches placed under "old" rules? Example my Traditional CacheAuthorized Tallulah Gorge Cache (GC7E12)

Allen, the DNR office is aware of all the caches currently placed on their properties. As you know various park managers gave permission to some cachers in the past. However, the rule of no caches in the State Parks comes from a higher level of authority. For the DNR's geocaching challenge GroundSpeak rules will apply like 528' between caches. It is my hope we have a good track record with the challenge and hopefully the DNR will lift their current cache ban. The "higher level of authority" will be observing the cache pages to monitor how much revenue geocachers generate.

*Update. These parks are available for stewards.

CROOKED RIVER STATE PARK
FORT McALLISTER HISTORIC PARK
REED BINGHAM STATE PARK
STEPHEN C. FOSTER STATE PARK
GEORGIA VETERANS STATE PARK
LAURA S. WALKER STATE PARK

quote:

...details should be available in the near future.

quote:

You will need to assist the park manager with placing and maintaining the cache. You would need to forward all the pertinent information about the cache like the D/T level, attributes, the short description of the cache and any hint. The DNR will operate the cache pages. Your name will appear on the cache page as the steward for the cache.

When does it look like this will kick off?

When does it seem appropriate to make the initial individual contacts?

I think LZ and I are discussing Stephen C. Foster.

Joe, there is a date that is set aside for April 10th for a "kick off". I would expect a formal announcement from the SC when the plans are in concrete. The stewards can expect an email next week with instructions and other information on what to do. The ammo cans are being shipped to the DNR office late this week or early next week. They will be de-identified, filled and then sent to the park managers. I'm sure this will take some time to complete.

mtn-man has volunteered for Stephen C. Foster. We still have 5 more parks that needs a steward. Thanks for your help.

Congratulations! Not to rain on the parade but at 3:02, 30 Jan 10 this is announced and six minutes later almost all are accounted for? Interesting!

It's been lurking in the members forums for a coupleof weeks

Yep. The original request was made (in the members forum) at 1601 1/21/10.

if no one has taken, or if no one wants, Laura Walker i can schlep down there.

quote:

Originally posted by redworm:
if no one has taken, or if no one wants, Laura Walker i can schlep down there.

PM sent

At LZ's request we have created a forum for the planners to discuss coordination issues. It is located down at the very bottom if you look at the top level of the forums list. The only person not added is localbiz. I cannot seem to find them in the account lists. Maybe I missed something, or if they register on the forums they would be easy to add.

If you have volunteered, please go into the forum and post a test post so we can know you are able to get there OK.

Cannot get in ....

Try it now, phat. Didn't mean to leave you out, sweetheart!