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 royal catchfly. This plant is considered endangered in the state of Illinois. It is a native prairie plant, unique because it is one of the few red-flowered plants native to Illinois, and one of a very limited array of red-flowered prairie plants. Conversion of prairies to farmland have significantly reduced the population of this species in our state. BCCD restoration efforts have successfully reintroduced this rare plant to our native prairies.
To learn more about this plant visit https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/silene_regia.shtml
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 Distillery Conservation Area, for a map of this site as well as open hours and seasonal updates visit https://www.bccdil.org/explore/kishwaukee-bottoms-conservation-area/distillery-road-conservation-area/ PERIODIC SEASONAL CLOSURES START IN OCTOBER.