Pyrodiversity
promotes biodiversity. Aldo Leopold promoted the use of prescribing
fire, as a land management tool, in the 1950s. The Florida Park
Service began applying fire in the 1970s, after a huge wildfire in
a state park on Florida’s East coast. That fire served to
generate the growth of rare plants that botanists had believed were
extinct. Prescribed fires prevent wildfires. The timing of a fire
is carefully calculated and the ability to control the fire is an
art that is well practiced and only applied in safe situations.
Fires recycle nutrients and generate new plant growth within a
matter of days. Fires produce much desired habitat conditions for
many of the endemic species of wildlife. The open vistas that have
been created by controlled burns can offer visitors heart warming -
and often thrilling - encounters with wildlife.
This geocache is
placed in Highlands Hammock State Park with the permission of park
management. All locations must be approved by the Volunteer
Geocache Coordinator Sarah Straub (DTISarah@gmail.com) and adhere
to the guidelines set by the park for geocache
placement.
Vehicles are not
permitted to park on any roadway within the park boundary. All
vehicles must park within designated parking areas. The park is
open from 8:00AM until sundown, 365 days a year. The admission fees
are as follows: $6.00 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle.
$4.00 Single Occupant Vehicle. $2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra
passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual
Entrance Pass. Camping is available in the park as well.
Highlands
Hammock State Park's Website
For more
information about accessing cache locations please visit the ranger
station to view a copy of Essential Eligibility Criteria for
Geocaching at Highlands Hammock State Park.
Please remember
to cache responsibly and stay on designated trails.