Crosswinds Marsh Nature fest 2021 Series
Nature Fest is a nature-oriented event that featured live entertainment, nature crafts, and games, face painting, and free canoeing. This cache is one of a series of 12 geocaches, launched the day after Nature Fest, with each one featuring a pollinator that might be found in Crosswinds Marsh Nature Preserve.
CMM03 - Monarch Butterfly
Probably the most famous butterfly in the world is the monarch butterfly due to its migration behavior. Monarch butterflies are orange and black and can easily be confused with the viceroy butterfly which has very similar coloring and markings. Monarch butterflies are very specific about where they lay their eggs. They only use four plants in the milkweed family as host plants; common milkweed, swamp milkweed, whorled milkweed, and butterfly weed. The reason is the toxin in the sap of the milkweed plants. The monarch larvae (i.e., caterpillars) are not harmed by the toxin as they munch on the leaves, but an animal that eats the caterpillar is affected by the toxin. Plants used by adult monarch butterflies for food are far more diverse. They will obtain nectar from milkweed, culver’s root, black-eyed susan, purple coneflower, boneset, blazing star, bee balm, bergamot, asters, and goldenrods, among others.
Crosswinds Marsh Rules
No fires
No bikes / ATVs / personal watercraft
No swimming or ice fishing
Dogs must be leashed
No alcohol or illegal substances
No camping
Fishing in designated areas only
Collecting of plants & animals prohibited
Park only at N 42° 05.744' W 83° 26.552'
All Geocachers must follow the above rules.
Crosswinds Marsh is open from DAWN to DUSK. Admission is FREE.
This cache has been placed with the permission of Wayne County Parks. Permit 2021-03 has been submitted and is on file at the park office.