Leave No Trace

Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 4:25 pm

In our by laws, one of our purposes is to support and promote Leave No Trace. If elected, how will you do this?

Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 7:57 pm

by following the past precedences of the WGA and promoting the CITO events across the state. The main purpose of the WGA is to promote Geocaching in the state of Wisconsin. Leave no trace is part of that, but it is not the main goal of the WGA.

Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 9:34 pm

I believe the CITO events are an important aspect of the WGA, and raising that awareness.
Like previously stated though it is not the main goal of the WGA, which I agree with. WGA's main focus is to promote and spreading knowledge of geocaching.

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 12:21 pm

The question posed was "In our by laws, one of our purposes is to support and promote Leave No Trace. If elected, how will you do this?"

Promoting Leave No Trace is one of the 4 purposes of the WGA organization. It is in the same line as the "Cache in Trash out" but to me while it is similar in the "giving" back it has a separate meaning in how we as geocachers treat the environment.

Supporting Leave No Trace could include making information available at WGA event registration such as their brochures or reference cards.

http://lnt.org/shop/product/ethics-reference-cards

Supporting Leave No Trace could involve having short educational sessions at WGA events.

Supporting Leave No Trace could be simple as promoting low impact geocaching when one teaching Geo101 to groups.

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 6:22 pm

In truth, I'm not sure that I'm an expert on Leave No Trace policies. I would very much like to learn though as I love the outdoors and would like to see nature preserved as best as we can. But I did spend quite a lot of time my whole life out in nature and my parents raised me to be respectful of the environment. We were constantly out hiking, biking, boating, skiing, etc. and while we were out and about they'd be giving us tips on how to treat the world around us. I try to do the same with my own children or the children that are in my care.

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:02 pm

My first contact with Leave No Trace was actually from you David. I'd been aware of a similar program through Off-Roading years ago- the Tread Lightly program. I'm not an expert on either but I definitely believe their principles.

I think the WGA is lucky to have an advocate in David that can teach us all a little more about the being better stewards of the resources we surround ourselves with when we are out "in the field".

Though the West Bend Cache Bash isn't a sanctioned WGA event, it does have a big reach as a Mega event. That's a great place to either hold a Introductory class or at a minimum continue to have an information booth there.

With the CITOs we hold, the Leave No Trace program is another great way to educate the community and our members. I support whatever we shoudl do to promote one of our purposes.