CNF-08 Sassafras Traditional Cache

NOTICE: This geocache will be archived and removed in early June to make room for some new geocaches to be published soon.

Crosswinds Marsh Nature fest 2019 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 12 geocaches, launched during the event, with each one featuring a native plant or tree which can be found in Crosswinds Marsh Nature Preserve. A link to all 12 of the caches may be found HERE.

In the cover of the cache you will find a three letter code. Record this code for entering into an online form for registration for a commemorative collectible for those that complete the series. The link to the form is found HERE.

Sassafras
Sassafras is a native, perennial, deciduous shrub or tree. The trees are short to medium-tall (27 to 50 ft), and spread from 8 to 24 ft. Young trees have greenish bark. Older trees have reddish brown bark that is rough, thick, and deeply ridged. The leaves are alternate and variable in shape with either none or one to three lobes at the apex. The two-lobed leaves are mitten shaped. The leaves are light, bright green during the summer and turn to bright yellow-orange and red orange in the fall. The trees are dioecious (a tree will have either male or female flowers) with fragrant flowers. The female flowers, borne on small, terminal clusters before the leaves, are without petals, but have six greenish-yellow sepals. Male flowers are inconspicuous. The female trees have small, oval fruits that are dark blue with thick, red stalks. The leaf buds appear at the same time the tree flowers in early spring. The fruits ripen in the fall.

The Crosswinds Marsh Nature Interpretive preserve is providing a replacement wildlife wetlands for habitat that was removed by the Detroit Metro Airport expansion. Crosswinds Marsh Wetland Interpretive Preserve is one of the largest man-made wetlands in the country. It was built to replace the wetlands that were paved over to expand Wayne County's (the McNamara terminal). Wayne County, The area is managed by the Wayne County Parks.

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 permissions of Wayne County Parks. Permit CNF19-08 has been submitted and is on file at the park office.