Geocaching is not always about the hunt. The part of geocaching that can show others what it means to be good stewards of our public land is a CITO. A CITO is the process were we, as cachers, can give back to the community through service by clean up the parks or open space we find ourselves exploring.
In February, I made contact with a State Land Department manager and found he had an area which he needs help to clean up because of illegal dumping. I went out to look at the site and found general trash, a couple mattresses, lawn furniture, construction debris and tree trimmings. The ASLD manager is going to be supplying dumpsters which we can use to place the trash and garbage we can move by hand. Yes, don’t let the plural dumpsters scare you because he is also planning to have a contractor with a tractor come in to remove the larger debris.
The coordinates are for our assembly location. We will be meeting on the east side of the road just past Fairway Groves Dr. I will have a pop-up tent set up were we will use as a base and from this point get groups directed to the problem sites. I will have water, gloves and bags but please make sure you come prepared with closed toe shoes, long pants, hat, work shirt, extra gloves and extra water.
April can be a mixed bag for weather and we will go rain, shine, cold or heat but I also want to remind everyone we will be cleaning in the desert. In that environment, we need to watch for and be aware of desert creatures which also occupy the area. Snakes, spiders and scorpions plus others may be present.
FOR THE CITO, I HAVE A GROUP RECREATIONAL PERMIT. EVERYONE, WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE AN ASLD PERMIT, WILL BE COVERED BY THIS GROUP PERMIT AND ALLOWED ACCESS TO STATE TRUST LAND DURING THE HOURS OF THE CITO.
However, when the CITO is over, you are on your own for permits but you can obtain your own ASLD recreational permit through the ASLD office. The permit applications can be downloaded from - https://land.az.gov/natural-resources/recreational-permits or phoning (602) 364-ASLD to request the form.
Hope you can be there to help. Happy Earth Day