Earth Day Treehuggin' Cache Multi-Cache

Welcome to Dufield Pond

The most recently opened District site allows site users to hike a 0.75 mile interpretive nature trail.  On this trail, the elevation changes almost 75 feet.  While this side of the site does not having fishing, visitors can travel around the block to the Country Club Road entrance and fish the 3-acre pond.

Earth Day

The first Earth Day was April 22, 1970 and was started by a Senator from Wisconsin.  Earth Day was started to create global awareness of environmental issues.  Each year, events worldwide are held to demonstrate support for environmental protection.  It is celebrated in 192 countries and by millions of people.  2015 marks the 45^th Earth Day.

Earth Day Cache

What better way to celebrate/honor Earth Day then to launch a multi-cache that will take you on a tour of a conservation site?  Three stops will lead you to interpretive signs about the trees and ecosystem in the Dufield Pond site.  Although it may be tempting to short-cut the walk, please remain on the trail at all times (the entire loop is only ¾ of a mile).  At these signs, you will need to find the answers to some questions.  These questions will then help provide you with the obtaining the final coordinates.  It is recommended you bring a copy with you to write down your answers and do some very basic math!

GPS and phones will be jumpy but it will get you to the general area then common geosense should kick in as there aren't too many places to look!

Bonus Points

Take a picture of yourself hugging a tree and post it with your log!

Final Coordinates

N42 AB.EDC  W088 CD.ECB

Stop #1 McConnell Woods – B

               This site is dominated by numerous oak species.  How many oak species are included?
               The communities are arranged in a complex pattern.  How many things is this complex pattern based on?
               B = # of Oak Species + # of things the complex pattern is based on

Stop 2 The Burr Oak – C & E

C = What are the number of acorns on the sign?

E = How many communities are the Burr Oaks found in?

Stop #3 The Red Oak – A

A = The number of leaves in the picture minus the number of acorns in the picture

Stop #4 The Shagbark Hickory - D

D = The Shagbark Hickory is distinguished by how many large leaflets?

District Geocaching Rules

1. The location can only be in an area open to the public and within 12 feet from a trail.

2. The container must be made of clear material, not to exceed 4" x 8" x 12".

3. Only three caches allowed per District site. Due to environmental reasons, certain sites or areas may be closed to geocaching.

4. The cache may not contain food items, inappropriate, offensive or hazardous material.

5. The cache may not be buried and vegetation or other natural features are not to be disturbed.

6. Caches may be hidden under logs, in tree holes, in/under downed trees, in/under brush, etc. The cache may not be affixed to any man-made structure (bench, sign, pole, fence, water pump, building, etc.) or natural feature (rock, tree, stump, root, etc.) in any manner.  This applies to items requiring magnets, tapes, nails, rope/string, staples or anything else to hold them in place.

7. All caches must be removed or renewed at the end of each calendar year.

For a complete list of rules, visit our website www.mccdistrict.org/web/re-geocache.htm

McHenry County Conservation District Information

Visit our website at www.mccdistrict.org or call 815-338-6223 for camping/shelters, 815-479-5779 for educational programs or 815-678-4532 for the Lost Valley Visitor Center

First to Find

Congrats to denise&john on FTF!!