This is a Letterbox Hybrid cache. For anyone not familiar with
Letterboxing there is a log in the box for you to sign and stamp
(with your stamp), then you stamp your own log or paper (with stamp
that is in the box). If you do not have your own stamp, then
stickers or handrawn artwork is acceptable. DO NOT TAKE STAMP WITH
YOU; IT IS NOT A TRADE ITEM!!!
Named after a cattle ranch that once existed on this property,
Circle B Bar Reserve. This property was purchased to protect the
floodplain of the lake and to restore the Banana Creek marsh
system. Much of property was converted to pasture, but remnant
wetland communities can be found along Banana and Saddle creeks.
Largest remnant natural communities are oak hammocks and various
forested wetlands, primarily found in northeast corner of
property.
Ongoing restoration projects for the Banana Creek marsh system,
which runs through the center of the property, and for an area of
scrub on the southern portion of the site will restore much of the
original hydrologic function of the lands. The scrub restoration
will benefit the numerous animals that utilize both wetlands and
uplands during various phases of their life cycles.
While hiking the trails you may see a variety of birds,
including bald eagles, wood storks, great blue herons and many
other wading birds, as well as vistas across Lake Hancock and
Banana Creek Marsh. Take a walk along the banks of Lake Hancock and
you will see many alligators.
The new Polk’s Nature Discovery Center opened November 1,
2008 and provides information and discovery opportunities about
Polk County’s unique water, wildlife and wilderness
resources, as well as the associated cultural heritage and
nature-based recreation opportunities on environmental lands in
Polk County. The Nature Discovery Center has several amenities
including picnic pavilions, wildlife observation viewing platforms,
boardwalks and several multi-use trails. The Reserve is open daily,
year-round, from 6:30 A.M. to 6:30 P.M. Standard Time and until
8:30 P.M. during Daylight Savings Time. Dogs are no longer allowed
in the preserve because of the number of alligators present. This
area may become wet during the rainy season. Don’t forget the
insect repellent and water. Be careful and enjoy the area. Be
advised that there are always risks associated with visiting nature
preserves.
This geocache is a part of the Trek Ten Trails
2010 program. Participation in that program, while a lot of fun, is
not required to log this cache here. Trek Ten Trails 2010
program marks the third year of the Friends of the Parks
Foundation’s call to explore the outdoors in Polk County. Ten
new nature trails and two bonus caches have been added to the
program’s first two years of trail hike locations throughout
Polk County. Each nature trail includes geocaches with a
self-inking stamp for validating your visits to at least ten of the
featured trails. You can choose which ten trails you visit, and of
course you may trek them all!
New game cards, which participants stamp and return to be
entered into the year end prize drawings are available at the
Friends of the Parks website, OUTPOST 27 CACHE and LAKE WALES DEPOT CACHE.
Validated game cards must be mailed by October
15, 2010 to be eligible for prize drawings and a certificate
of completion. Trek Ten Trails 2010 program maps, game cards and
other information about each of the featured nature trails may be
downloaded from the Friends of the
Parks website. Check out our
Profile for more details. The Friends of the Parks Foundation
has formed an alliance with the annual Water Wings & Wild
Things event to host our 2010 Trek Ten Trails program Grand Finale
Celebration at Circle B Bar Reserve in October 2010.
This cache was placed with the assistance of
the
Florida
Geocaching Association