L.L. Bean to Participate in Arboretum Introduction to Geocaching, May 24

ESPERANCE, NY (05/14/2008)(readMedia)-- The trails, wetlands, open fields, and ancient forests of the 548-acre Landis Arboretum form a perfect world in which to explore the excitement of the increasingly popular sport of geocaching. The Arboretum offers an Introduction to Geocaching on Saturday, May 24, 9:30 -11 AM. Interested participants are invited sign up for the event by calling the Arboretum at 518-875-6935 > Message Option #1. Suggested donation, $5.

According to Gina Nielsen who is spearheading the event as a member of the Arboretum’s Education Committee, “the Arboretum is thrilled that the May 24 event will include a representative of L. L .Bean, which has offered both a GPS expert and units for the event. We are proud to be associated with the company’s record of commitment to promoting and protecting the environment,” says Ms. Nielsen.

The privately held retail company based in Freeport, Maine, specializes in clothing and outdoor recreation equipment and has been a trusted source for quality apparel, reliable outdoor equipment, and expert advice for more than 95 years.

As planned, interested participants will meet at the Arboretum’s Meeting House on the morning of the event for an introduction to this sport and learn how to use GPS coordinates to locate the caches. “This will be a multi-cache event highlighting some of the Arboretum’s spectacular places,” says Ms. Nielsen. Participants are invited to bring own GPS units if they have one but are welcomed even if they are lacking their own equipment. This family-focused fun event is open to all with an interest in exploring the outdoors using geocaching technology. Participants are asked to dress appropriately for the weather ands to wear sensible shoes for walking on the natural terrain at the Arboretum.

Geocaching (also known as a GPS Stash Hunt or Global Positioning Stash hunt) is an adventurous game for GPS users. The goal is to have individuals or groups set up caches and share their locations on the internet so that other GPS users can locate them fro their coordinates. A GPS unit is an electronic device that can determine approximate locations to navigate from one location to another using coordinates given in Latitude and Longitude. The devices range in sophistication and complexity.

"Geocaching is more like treasure hunting to my kids," says Ms. Nielsen. "When a cache is located, they inspect the location and find a log book and treasures to trade. The idea is to take a treasure and leave one of your own for the next one to navigate to the site. The treasure is not discovered until the last cache is located.”

Gina Nielsen, a resident of Glenville, NY, is a longtime Landis member and multi-faceted educator whose background includes a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Science degree in Science Education. She is an active member of the Arboretum’s Education Committee.

About the Arboretum The Landis Arboretum is a 548-acre public garden that includes eight miles of hiking and walking trails overlooking picturesque Schoharie Valley near Esperance, NY. Forty acres are developed with plantings trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perennials from around the world. The remainder of the property consists of natural areas, woodlands, and open fields reminiscent of the former farm of founder Fred Lape. The Arboretum may be one of the best kept secrets of the Capital Region and along scenic Route 20 corridor between Albany and Skaneateles. The Arboretum is central to the New York State Wine and Spa Trails and in close proximity to historic Sharon Springs. And, it is a natural stop for those traveling to the high-volume tourist attractions between the Albany, Cooperstown, and Finger Lakes Regions.

The Landis Arboretum includes a nationally recognized collection of oaks and is registered with the North American Plant Collections Consortium (NAPCC). The Arboretum also is included in the New York State Route 20 Bluebird Trail, bringing even more birdwatchers to the site. The Arboretum’s vast dark sky and wide horizons attract area astronomers to its meeting house and parking field for sky-watching events.

Old Growth Forest Beckons The Arboretum's most recent land acquisition, for example, almost doubled the size of the site and contains a horticulture bonanza. Last summer, a team of old-growth-forest experts surveyed the site and found species of trees ranging from 150 to 350 years old. One parcel of land near the Montgomery County line contains one of the oldest forests in the area.

This ancient forest is approximately 30 acres in size and is located in the northeast corner of the Arboretum. “This is a forest that has been untouched since the Revolutionary War,” said Bruce Kershner, an ancient forest authority and author of The Sierra Club Guide to Ancient Forests of the Northeast. The Landis Arboretum is now one of only three arboreta in eastern North America that have old growth forests. The other two are the New York Botanical Garden and Rutgers University – neither of which can compare to Landis’ natural collection and pre-revolutionary flora.

Educational Initiatives The Arboretum offers classes, workshops, guided and self-guided nature study, and is working toward providing meeting space in its bucolic setting for special events, lectures, and demonstrations. Workshop subjects include hawks, moths, birds, amphibians and reptiles, and arthropods. Horticultural interests are the focus of classes in pruning, tree identification, daylilies, and plant propagation. Ancillary workshops have focused on photography, basket making, botanical illustration and landscape painting.

Easy Access The Landis Arboretum is located 1.5 miles off Scenic US Route 20 in Esperance, NY. Exit #23 off I-88 and follow Route 30A (turn right on Route 20) or Route 30 (turn left on Route 20) toward Esperance.

From Esperance, turn at the Town Hall onto Charleston Street which turns into Conover Road. There is a green sign for Landis on route 20 by this road. Follow for 1 ¼ miles. The road bears right 90 degrees at one point. Turn right onto Lape Road. There is a sign for Landis and a dead end sign. The main parking lot is ¼ mile down on your left. Across the street from this parking lot are our offices, located in the Farmhouse; nearby are the barn, our library, and greenhouse.

Landis, the Capital Region’s Arboretum. Adventure. Discovery. Education. Fun. www.landisarboretum.org; 518-875-6935; info@landisarboretum.org.

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