CITO (Cache In Trash Out), a public service concept conceived by Groundspeak in 2002, is more than a trash collection effort; it is a way to clean up our greenways while presenting geocaching in a positive light to the world.

April 16 many cachers around the world will devote their energies to CITO, assisting in the cleanup and maintenance of parks, trails and other public areas.

Obviously, the CITO effort is aimed at an ecological ideal, an environmental cleansing of the playgrounds we use. But it is more than that.

CITO is a mantra of many cachers; many do it every time they geocache. Cachers are encouraged to remove trash everywhere, all the time. It is an excellent way to increase positive, public awareness of geocaching and to clean up the environment.

This month there are scores of organized CITO events. The local CITO organizers are in many cases working hand in hand with landowners and civic organizations and leaders.

All of us who love this sport should find an organized CITO event and participate because our individual efforts can make a huge difference. But there is still more than that.

We should all practice CITO every place, all the time.

Because it’s the right thing to do.