While performing the steps for this earthcache, please practice social distancing in order to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
This cache is an Earthcache. There is no physical container located for this cache. In order to receive credit, you must visit this site, answer the questions below and submit me those answers. While you wait for verification for you answers, you may claim your find. Failure to submit your answers to me within 7 days will result in your find being deleted. Your answers are the only verification that I have that you visited this site.
To complete this earthcache, you will be walking along the ADA trail. This trail is a concrete and boardwalk trail, which is just over .5 mile long loop. In order to get your answers, you will need to visit the four stops below and get information off the signs here. You will also make a couple of observations while you are walking around this trail. Dog are allowed on this trail, so be sure to bring your geopup with you when you complete this earthcache. If you do decide to take your geopup with you for this earthcache, please pick up after it. The conservancy has provided bags at the beginning of the trail.
Stop 1: Given coordinates.
Question 1: Look at the small diagram on the information sign. Look around your surroundings. What part of the maritime forest are you currently standing in?
Stop 2: N 35 59.290 W 075 40.039
Question 2: How is the Interdunal Pond created?
Question 3: What is your elevation at this location?
Stop 3: N 35 59.290 W 075 40.103
Question 4: What side of the dunes is Nags Head Woods located?
Question 5: How long ago were the dunes created to help create Nags Head Woods?
Question 6: What is your elevation at this location?
Stop 4: N 35 59.260 W 075 40.116
Question 7: What are most of the marshes around Northeastern North Carolina? What does this mean?
Question 8: How close is the nearest ocean inlet Nags Head Woods?
Question 9: What is your elevation at this location?
Question 10: Has your elevation changed from Stage 2 to Stage 4? If it has, why do you think it has?
OPTIONAL Post a photo of yourself and/or your group at your favorite spot while doing this earthcache. The photo does not represent your answers for doing this earthcache.
Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve is one of the largest remaining intact maritime forests on the East Coast of the United States. Located less than a mile away from the Atlantic Ocean, Nags Head woods gives the appearance of being on the Piedmont or even in the mountains because of its canopy of towering oaks, hickories, and beech trees. The preserve is bordered by Run Hill to the north and Jockey's Ridge to the south. These huge ancient dunes constantly move and change shape as the prevailing northeast winds blow sand into the forest, marsh, and sound. Nags Head Woods consists of 1,200 acres of lands. Nags Head Woods and Jockey's Ridge were designated by the United States Department of the Interior as National Natural Landmarks in 1974.
Maritime forests are shoreline estuaries that grow along coastal barrier islands that support a great diversity of plants and mammals. Maritime forests protect our shorelines from movement of the coast. Many maritime forests in the Unites States remain largely untouched by commercial development and closely resemble the woodlands where Native Americans lived and early colonists settled hundred of years ago. The trees, bushes, and other plants that grow in maritime forests withstand strong winds, periodic flooding, and salt spray.
Information gathered for this earthcache was obtained from speaking with the folks at Nags Head Woods, pamphlets that they have available, and research done on the Nature Conservancy's website. Final information was approved by Nags Head Woods Conservancy.