This geo-cache is part of a permanent geo-trail placed and maintained by Boone County Conservation District. The geo-trail consists of 5 caches placed throughout several conservation areas, each cache is dedicated to a species that is endangered or threatened in the state of Illinois.
Each cache contains a letter and when all letters are combined and unscrambled, they reveal a code word. Those who complete the geo-trail and have the code word are encouraged to visit the BCCD nature center to receive a prize.
The featured species for this cache is the Blanding’s turtle. This species is considered endangered in the state of Illinois. These turtles are very easy to recognize because of their bright yellow throat markings. Blanding’s turtles prefer to live in aquatic habitats that have lots of vegetation and muddy bottoms. Population decline in Illinois is due to a loss of habitats where these turtles like to live. BCCD conservation areas contain many of these ideal habitats, where some of these special turtles have been documented.
To learn more about this turtle visit https://herpetology.inhs.illinois.edu/species-lists/ilspecies/blandings-turtle/
For a complete list of all of Illinois threatened and endangered species, click here https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/ESPB/Pages/default.aspx
This cache is placed at Kinnikinnick Conservation Area, for a map of this site as well as open hours and seasonal updates
visit https://www.bccdil.org/explore/kinnikinnick-creek-conservation-area/ PERIODIC SEASONAL CLOSURES START IN OCTOBER.