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Caches in Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

The guidelines state, "In addition, there may be local regulations already in place for certain types of parks in your region (state parks, county preserves, etc.). There are many local caching organizations that would be able to help you out with those regulations".

The GAGB guidelines for placing caches in the UK state, "No cache should be placed in such a way as to risk damage or disturbance to any Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)....." and "When placing a cache, the onus is on the placer to seek the permission of the landowner."

There are national nature reserves around the country as well as locally run reserves. They may also be (or include) SSSI's. Caches on such reserves or SSSI's will not be published unless proof of permission is provided.

National nature reserves are indicated on the 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey maps with a blue bird symbol. Local nature reserves are not always shown on the maps and SSSI's are not shown either. If you are in doubt about the location you are planning to place your cache then use the interactive websites shown below. The Natural England interactive map shows both national and local reserves and SSSI's and may give contact information. Here is an example of an SSSI at Middlehope near Weston Super Mare - Middlehope SSSI. The MAGIC map is more detailed and very useful as it shows many different types of land management from many different organisations.

When submitting a cache in such a location you should add the permission information as a 'Note to Reviewer' log on the cache page for the reviewer to see. The information should include the name of the person who gave their permission and their telephone number or email address. The text of any email correspondence or letter giving permission should be copied there too. Please note these logs are not visible when the cache is published. Permission does not apply to 'question to answer' stages of Multicaches (no physical container) which may involve visiting reserves. However you should be aware of the guideline in the 'Off limits' section, "Caches placed in areas which are highly sensitive to the extra traffic that would be caused by vehicles and humans (examples may include archaeological or historic sites)." This would apply to a 'question to answer' if a lot of people are likely to trample the habitat finding an obscure signpost!

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You should also add the permission information on your cache page description. It not only tells finders that the cache area is OK to go to but new cachers finding your cache can see that permission may be needed for certain locations and will consider that when they place their first caches. It is of course a courtesy to the organisation or landowner who gave permission to acknowledge it. Something like, "Cache placed with the kind permission of the wardens of the reserve" or "Cache placed with the kind permission of the manager of the local National Trust office". Don't put in peoples names, the full permission details should be added in the note to the reviewer when you submit the cache.

Note: the links below to the MAGIC and CCW interactive maps don't take you directly to the maps but to another page on this site which explains how to use the maps.

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MAGIC interactive map. Very useful as it shows all types of land management and organisations
Interactive link to Streetmap.co.uk allowing you to enter coordinates (in any format) to view detailed maps of that location.*
Natural England - Nature reserves and SSSI's (main site)
Natural England - interactive map showing boundaries of reserve/SSSI (most useful, just enter the location name in the search box)
Countryside Council for Wales - CCW
Countryside Council for Wales, National Nature Reserves in Wales - locations.
Countryside Council for Wales, protected areas - interactive map showing detailed areas including SSSI's/reserves.
Scottish Natural Heritage - website about outdoor Scotland
National Nature Reserves in Scotland - reserve names and locations
Scottish Outdoor Access code - access rights
Open Access for the UK - new access rights under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000
Wildlife Trusts in the UK - Websites of all local trusts and their reserves.
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) reserve information
Cornwall Wildlife Trust - reserve information
Dorset Wildlife Trust - reserve information with interactive map

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*Thanks to Gary and Jane for the Streetmap link.