Chiwaukee Prairie Earthcache EarthCache
Chiwaukee Prairie Earthcache
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Designated as a National Natural Landmark in November 1973.
The over 400-acre Chiwaukee Prairie is the most species-rich prairie in Wisconsin. The diversity of the vegetation is unequaled with more than 400 species of native plants, including five state-endangered and five state-threatened species. The plant communities found in Chiwaukee include wet prairie as the dominant cover, and with some sandy, dry prairie on the higher ridges.
Sedge meadows and emergent marsh vegetation occupy the deeper swales. There are tall grasses and oak openings along the western and southern portions of the preserve. The prairie contains nationally significant archeological and geological features.
In addition to the plants, there are birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates, which create an impressive collection of biodiversity. The prairie was formed 13,000 years ago, when Lake Michigan receded and prairie plants followed the edge. As a former lakebed, the prairie stands on beach sand covered with about 10 inches of topsoil.
The dunes were created by the winds and the wave action of the receding Lake Michigan. Vegetation such as sand reed grass, which binds sand together, eventually took root and helped to create the relatively stable dune formations.
Ownership is a joint effort between The Nature Conservancy for the roughly the southern portion and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in the northern section with 116th Street as the dividing line.
Hiking is permitted, but remain on the marked trails since this is a very fragile ecosystem. Regardless of when or where you hike in the Chiwuakee Prairie, the tick population is extremely high, so take the appropriate precautions.
The above info is from (visit link)
To claim this earthcache you must go to the sign at the provided coordinates and answer these questions and then e-mail your answers to me.
Questions:
1. How many years ago did the glacier melt?
2.What type of mammals does the Chiwaukee Prairie provide excellent habitat for?
3. Look around at the landscape and what do you see in regards to the terrain or any land formations?
4.Where does the prairie lie on?
5. What does the sign say that is directly to the east of this sign?( PLEASE FIND THE SIGN TO THE EAST OF THE ONE YOU ARE READING FOR THIS ANSWER. the answer to this question is not lake michigan.)
Logs won't count unless I receive the correct answers. Please enjoy this beautiful landscape and I hope you learned something like I did. Photos are optional but please don't give away any answers to the questions.
CONGRATS TO Tom K.,Brkster, and Danbike Lizbike FOR THERE JOINT FTF!!!!
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)