River Institute gets Canadian geocaching contract

In this May 9, 2016 photo provided by the River Institute, the team at the St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences gets ready to connect Canadians to nature. Pictured are Brian Hickey (Education Lead), Cristina Charette (Education Coordinator), Lacey MacDonald (Biodiversity Coordinator) and Matt Windle (Fish Biologist). (St. Lawrence River Institute via Newswatch Group)

CORNWALL – The St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences has been awarded a national contract to put together a geocaching network across Canada.

The two-year project from Environment and Climate Change Canada has a goal of connecting Canadians to nature.

Geocaching is a game where small containers with log sheets and “treasures” are hidden and people use GPS devices to find them and record their discovery.

The River Institute, with its expertise in GIS mapping, will be putting together geocaching routes to encourage people to explore national wildlife areas in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

There will also be an educational component to the work – a $170,000 federal government contract.

“We look forward to visiting the amazing National Wildlife Areas across Canada and sharing messages about conservation and species protection along the way,” said Dr. Jeff Ridal, executive director for the River Institute.