MGA12-Lake Erie-Phragmites: Beautiful but baneful Traditional Geocache

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The_Seed_Spreaders: Time for the 2013 series.

Thanks to all who sought the cache.

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Hidden : 4/15/2012
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

MGA11

Welcome to the 9th Annual Metroparks Geocaching Adventure 2012, a geocaching game placed by MiGO members in partnership with the Huron-Clinton Metroparks. In order to complete the series, you will need to find the 11 caches hidden in the different Metroparks.
For links to all of the caches in the series please Click Here
Inside the cover of each Geocache you will find two words. These are to be circled on a Word Search puzzle found on the Metroparks Geocaching Adventure 2012 Brochure found here.  We will be holding a geocachers picnic at Wolcott Mill Metropark on September 8.  Watch the Metroparks Geocaching Adventure 2012 Picnic Page for more details.

The cache is located less than 30 feet from the trail so bushwhacking further than that is not necessary and is discouraged to reduce impact on the environment. Please park at the coordinates shown in the Waypoint table and start your walk at the Trail head coordinates.


Bane or beautiful? One of the most striking features of Lake Erie Metropark are the phragmites. Simply put, they are everywhere! Some people consider them a beautiful addition to the park. To others, they are the bane of the wetland ecosystem.

Phragmites, also know as common reed, is perennial wetland grass species that can grow up to 15 feet high in dense stands and is long-lived. Its high biomass blocks sunlight to other plants and occupies all the growing space belowground so plant communities can turn into a Phragmites monoculture very quickly. Phragmites can spread by seed dispersal, but primarily does so asexually by means of rhizomes.
So, why not like them? Phragmites invasion creates tall, dense stands which degrade wetlands by crowding out native plants and animals, reducing access for fish and creating fire hazards.

Attempts at controlling them include the use of herbicides, mowing, disking, dredging, flooding, draining, burning, and grazing.

Love or loathe them, their stay at Lake Erie Metropark may be nearing its end, as a new spraying initiative will be undertaken later this year to control them and reduce their numbers. Come see them while you can!

The cache is located along the Riley Creek Overlook. It's a bit of a walk along the Big Turtle Trail (pdf trail map -- see waypoints for trailhead), but this is an adventure after all.


This cache is located within Lake Erie Metropark, a part of the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority park system. A Metropark Vehicle Entry Permit is required: Annual Permit $25. Senior Permit $15. Daily Permit $5.
For General information please call 810-227-2752 800-47-PARKS. Or visit our website at WWW.metroparks.com.

All park rules and regulations apply. Park in parking lots only.
Unfortunately, dogs are NOT allowed in this section of the park.
The hours for the park are 6 am to 10 pm Daily






Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Lbh yvxryl jvyy arrq gb ynl qbja gb ernpu gur pnpur.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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