Winnebago County Forest Preserve District celebrates over 80 years of providing open spaces and green places for recreation, education and preservation. The District’s first preserve, Hononegah, was purchased in 1924.
Today the Forest Preserve District maintains over 9,500 acres at 40 sites throughout the county. Nature preserves, golf courses, campgrounds, environmental education centers, botanic gardens, hiking trails and boat launches serve millions of Winnebago County residents and visitors each year.
©2010 WINNEBAGO COUNTY FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT
Geocaching
Geocaching is an entertaining adventure game for gps users. Participating in a cache hunt is a good way to take advantage of the wonderful features and capability of a gps unit. The basic idea is to have individuals and organizations set up caches all over the world and share the locations of these caches on the Internet. GPS users can then use the location coordinates to find the caches. Once found, a cache may provide the visitor with a wide variety of rewards. All the visitor is asked to do is if they get something they should try to leave something for the cache. www.geocaching.com
GEOCACHE RULES & REGULATIONS
All placements of proposed caches will be evaluated by Forest Preserve District staff.
The evaluation will include:
- Sensitivity of the area.
- Land classification (recreational, restoration, sanctuary, dedicated nature preserve, or land & water reserve).
- Potential impacts to habitats or rare, threatened, and endangered species.
- Current development or restoration efforts at preserve.
- Public safety concerns.
- Other issues related to the specific preserve.
Nonregistered caches will be removed by District staff.
All Geocaches to conform to existing preserve codes and regulations.
$10 fee allows caches to be put in preserves per calendar year.
Once approved for placement the Geocache must meet the following requirements. Violation of any of these requirements will necessitate immediate removal of Geocache by District personnel.
1. Permit number on each cache.
2.Location of caches must be given to office with coordinates and location placed on preserve maps in office.
3. Container must be made of clear (see through) material, with a size no greater than 4″x8″x12″.
4. Geocache must not contain any food items.
5. Geocache must not contain any inappropriate, offensive, or hazardous materials.
6. Geocache will not be attached or buried and no vegetation or natural features will be disturbed in any manner.
7. Geocache must be checked at least every 30 days. Proof of check will be by e-mail, letter, or personal communication by the geocache owner with the office.
8. There will be a limit of three (3) caches at each preserve.
9. All caches must be removed by end of year or renewed prior to beginning of the next calendar year.
