This geocache is part of the Harvest & Ranch Trail of GeoTour – Sebring Area Florida’s Hidden Gem (GT48D). Visit https://visitsebring.com/activities/geocaching/ for complete information. Print off passport from link provided and log codewords from each geocache part of the GeoTour to obtain a free trackable coin. Please be mindful of vegetation around the area.
A cattle ranch within the Istokpoga-Indian Prairie region, formerly a mixed wet and dry prairie ecosystem between Lake Istokpoga and Lake Okeechobee, but now mostly drained. Cattle ranches were the dominant use of the land until recently, but citrus groves have begun to invade the prairie to a great extent. Conversion of prairies and pastures to citrus groves threaten the continued survival of many prairie species. Buck Island Ranch has been leased to Archbold Biological Station for 30 years (since 1989) to study the effects of ranching and citrus production on the ecosystem. The ranch is now also known as the MacArthur Agro-Ecology Research Center.
Numerous Indian mounds are found on the property; the Brighton Indian Reservation is within 5 miles to the southeast.
Geocache placed with permission from Archbold Biologcal Center