Surrounded by beautiful bayberry, huckleberry, and blueberry that encompasses Linda Loring Nature Foundation's (LLNF’s) native sandplain grassland and heathland landscapes, this geocache is awesome for all ages, especially families enjoying a peaceful walk through the property.
Park at the LLNF parking lot, located at 110 Eel Point Road, and head south on the trail. The traditional, box cache sits just off the path at the North Head of Long Pond, about seven paces east of the bench. This spot offers views of an Osprey nest to the east and the North Head of Long Pond.
Connected to Madaket Harbor via the historic Madaket Ditch, the North Head of Long Pond is a brackish pond that is tidally influenced and subject to predicted sea level rise. Responding to this predicted change, LLNF is conducting a “Resilient Restoration” project, aiming to create a native, biodiverse habitat that utilizes salt-tolerant plants, ensuring a healthy pond edge and upland ecosystem.
The pond is also home to many native species: snapping turtles, painted turtles, white perch, American eels, and more! LLNF collects water quality data weekly to understand more about the pond and how what we do on the land affects the water we surround.
The Linda Loring Nature Foundation’s mission is to preserve the biological diversity of its 275-acre property on Nantucket and connect people of all ages to nature through outstanding environmental education and research.
Keep in mind that this property, while open to the public, is a wildlife sanctuary and home to many rare species of flora and fauna. Per the conservation restriction, dogs, bikes, and horses are not permitted.
Visit https://llnf.org/ for more information about the property and programs!
Good luck and we hope you enjoy this geocache!