IBGE Ecological Reserve

The IBGE Ecological Reserve (, also known as the Reserva Ecológica do Roncador (RECOR), is a protected in the Federal District, Brazil. It has a diverse ecology including various rare or endangered species, and is an important center for research into the ecology of the poorly protected Cerrado environment. Numerous scientific papers have referred to research conducted in the reserve.
Location.
The IBGE Ecological Reserve covers and is south of Brasilia.
It is bounded by the University of Brasília's experimental farm Fazenda Água Limpa (FAL) to the west and the Estação Ecológica do Jardim Botânico de Brasília (EEJBB) to the north and east.
These form the Environmental Protection Area of the Gama-Cabeça de Veado District, with of contiguous protected area.
The reserve is a very representative zone of central Brazil, with all the typical aspects of the cerrado.
The terrain consists of a gently sloping plateau divided by stream valleys, and ranges in altitude from to .
It is drained towards the northwest by the Taquara, the Taquara's tributary the Roncador, and the Roncador's tributaries the Escondido, Monjolo and Pitoco.
The area includes Precambrian metasedimentary rocks of the Paranoá Group from the Brasiliano orogeny (550 to 900 million years ago), but most of the land is covered by Tertiary detrital laterite material.
The reserve is one of the permanent conservation areas of the Federal District along with Brasília National Park (Parque Nacional de Brasília), the Estação Ecológica de Águas Emendadas and the Estação Ecológica do Jardim Botânico de Brasília.
It is one of the core areas of the Cerrado Biosphere Reserve created by UNESCO in the Federal District in 1993.
It is also part of the Federal Government's Central Plateau Environmental Protection Area (Área de Proteção Ambiental - APA do Planalto Central).
Access is restricted to researchers.
History.
Until 1956 the area occupied by the reserve had been occupied by cattle herders and subsistence farmers.
The Federal District requisitioned the land that year, and donated it to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística, IBGE) in 1961.
The IBGE created the Reserva Ecológica do Roncador (RECOR) on 22 December 1975 as an ecological reserve for scientific research into the Brazilian Cerrado.
In 1978 the Brazilian Institute for Forest Development (Instituto Brasileiro de Desenvolvimento Florestal, IBDF) recognized the reserve as a permanent conservation area of scientific interest.
The name was changed to the Reserva Ecológica do IBGE, although the acronym RECOR was retained.
Around this time several scientific papers were published on subjects such as insect ecology, tree growth and heavy metal pollution in the reserve.
The IBGE created a fire brigade, a specialized library and administrative buildings.
A weather station was established in 1979–80, and a nursery was started for studies on plant propagation.
The reserve has laboratories for animal and plant ecology.
By the mid 1980s the reserve was one of main areas of research into the cerrado in the Federal District.
RECOR continues to be an extremely active center of research.
The Cerrado is the richest savanna ecosystem in the world.
Only 2.2% is fully protected in Brazil. As of 2009 the biome was being destroyed at about annually, so the need to document the ecology is urgent.
Researchers have studied plants, fish, birds, mammals and insects of the cerrado, and the impact of fire.
As of 2011 more than 1,000 scientific works had used research from the reserve, including 177 doctoral dissertations and theses.
Climate and ecology.
There is a rainy season from September/October until April/May, and a dry season from May to September.
Average annual rainfall is .
The average annual temperature is , with average range from in June/July to in September/October, after which cloud cover reduces the amount of sunshine.
There are two distinct types of vegetation zone, one covering the well-drained interfluvial areas and the other in the wetter and more fertile areas along the watercourses.
The gallery forests cover about and are rich in species and play an important role in protecting water and wildlife.
As of 2004 1,829 species of vascular plant had been collected in the IBGE Ecological Reserve, including 1,503 native species and 326 exotic species.
The phanerogamic vegetation has been called "the most diverse arboreal flora of Central Brazil."
18 species of liverworts have been collected, from eight families.
The reserve has native grasses such as Tristachya leiostachya, Olyra ciliatifolia and Olyra taquara and several species of micro-orchid.
A number of new species of amphibians and reptiles have been identified on the reserve.
In total 101 species of herpetofauna have been found including 37 frogs, 20 lizards and 37 snakes.
This may well understate the diversity, particularly of snakes.
There are more than 250 species of birds.
Two groups of migratory birds frequent the reserve, "winter species" and "spring species", both of which arrive during periods when insects are abundant so food is plentiful.
The reserve has diverse wildlife.
Some of these are endangered, such as the giant anteater, the maned wolf and the pampas deer.
Other rare or endangered species include Brasília tapaculo, a bird, Brasilia lyrefin, a fish, and bush dog, a canid.


Abercrombie Caves

The Abercrombie Caves, contained within the Abercrombie Karst Conservation Reserve, are a series of limestone arch caves that are located in the Central West region of New South Wales, Australia. The caves are renowned for their karst qualities, namely the formation that has been eroded by water action that has developed from a sinkhole to become a blind valley. Several good examples of crayback formations exist in both entrances.
The reserve is situated south of and north of , near the small village of . The caves are registered as a natural heritage site on the Register of the National Estate for its large diversity of karst morphological and sedimentological features. Camping in the reserve is permitted, with sixty campground sites and two cottages. The caves are open seven days a week during school holidays; and closed on Monday and Tuesday during school terms.
Features.
The most popular feature of the Abercrombie Caves is "The Archway" the largest natural arch in the southern hemisphere. Within "The Archway" cave is the gold miners dance platform built in January 1880 by gold miners, replacing a platform built in the 1860s, the 1880s platform is still used for performances to this day including the annual Carols in the Caves performance.
Other caves within the reserve are "King Solomon's Temple", "Cathedral Cave", "Grove Cave", and the "Bushranger's Cave".
History.
It is believed that a tourist party visited the caves in 1834 but the Caves were not 'officially' discovered until 1842 by Surveyor W. R. Davidson. Surveyor Wells discovered the Koh-i-noor, Bushranger, Long Tunnel, and Cathedral caves and the Hall of Terpsichore (The Dance Hall) in 1843. Explorer William Wentworth and Governor Charles Fitzroy visited Abercrombie Caves in 1844.
It is believed that various bushrangers used the caves as a hideout during the 1800s. The earliest known is the Ribbon Gang who used the caves in 1830.
Gold was discovered in the area in 1854. A gold exploration community was established at Mount Gray, just above the caves. Miners from many of the surrounding communities would often visit the caves for recreation.
The caves were originally known as Burragylong Caverns and during the mining period they became known as Abercrombie caves.
Vandalism occurred in the early days when many pieces of white marble were carted away by the visitors as souvenirs and the miners damaged many of the formations by firing rifles at them. Some graffiti name carvings can still be seen inside the caves from the 19th century period.


Carden Alvar Provincial Park

Carden Alvar Provincial Park is a provincial park located in the Kawartha Lakes in Central Ontario, Canada. Alvars are globally rare ecosystems found exclusively in Northern Europe and the Great Lakes region of North America. The park is classified as a non-operating, "natural environment" park and was established in 2014. Natural environment parks protect outstanding landscapes, ecosystems and other elements of the province's wilderness to provide high quality recreational and educational experiences for visitors.
History.
The park was created in 2014 from two properties: the Cameron Ranch and the Windmill Ranch. They are irregularly shaped but adjoining properties that are southeast of the town of Dalrymple and west of Wylie Rd. Both properties were acquired with assistance of The Couchiching Conservancy and the Nature Conservancy of Canada, with the Couchiching Conservancy acting as steward of the properties since their acquisition. Windmill Ranch was a family farm last operated by John Arthur Hawtin and Noreen Hawtin.
Visitor activities.
As a natural environment park, Carden Alvar Provincial Park contains no campgrounds, restrooms or recreational facilities. Two common uses for the park area are birdwatching and hiking. Access to the eastern portion of the park (the Windmill Ranch property) is limited to guided tours arranged through the Couchiching Conservancy. However, given the approximately frontage along Wylie Rd, many birders observe from the road. Wylie Rd. is also an important observation area for the region's butterflies.
Birdwatching and status within an Important Bird Area.
The park lies at the heart of the Carden Alvar Important Bird Area (IBA) and contains breeding habitat for the eastern subspecies of the Loggerhead Shrike, a species listed as endangered both provincially and federally. The Loggerhead Shrike has only three breeding sites in Ontario, and approximately half of the breeding pairs in the province are often found in the Carden Alvar. Over 230 bird species have been recorded in the area, including Bobolink, Short-eared Owl, Least Bittern, Red-headed Woodpecker, Yellow Rail, Eastern Meadowlark, and Grasshopper Sparrow. The broader Carden Plain received the IBA designation in 1998 from Bird Studies Canada and the Canadian Nature Federation.


Caloosahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

The Caloosahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is part of the United States National Wildlife Refuge System, located on the Caloosahatchee River, beneath the I-75 Caloosahatchee Bridge, within the city of North Fort Myers. The refuge was established on January 1, 1921. It is administered as part of the J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge Complex.


North Carolina Highway 92

North Carolina Highway 92 (NC 92) is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It runs through connecting Washington and Bath, entirely in Beaufort County
Route description.
NC 92 begins at the intersection of North Bridge Street and West 5th Street in downtown Washington, the county seat of Beaufort County. North Bridge Street carries US 17 Business north and south while West 5th Street carries US 264 east and west. NC 92 and US 264 run along a concurrency from this point and travel east-southeast through a mix of businesses, houses, and open space. After the road curves to the north and the road name changes to John Small Avenue. Since the beginning of the road, the width was one lane in each direction with a center turn lane. About from the start, the roadway widens to two lanes in each direction with a center turn lane and it passes some schools and more businesses and houses. As it exits the city limits, US 264 and NC 92 begin to head into a more sparsely populated area of the county, crossing a railroad at-grade and passing Beaufort County Community College. At Douglas Crossroads, NC 32 intersects the highway. Past this intersection, the highway narrows to two lanes in each direction. past NC 32 at the community of Midway, US 264 bends towards the north while NC 92 breaks off the concurrency and heads on a two-lane road east towards Bath.
After crossing the Bath Creek on a bridge, the road enters the town limits of Bath. In Bath, NC 92 carries the name Carteret Street through the town and its historic district. The road bends to the southeast and intersects Bayview Avenue which provides access to the census-designated place of the same name. For the road's last , it is bounded on the north by farmland and on the south by a thick patch of forest staying no more than north of the Pamlico River. At the community of Gaylord, NC 92 ends at the intersection of NC 99 and NC 306. This point marks the southern terminus of NC 99 which continues northeast towards Belhaven and the northern terminus of NC 306, only north of the North Carolina Department of Transportation Ferry Division's Bayview-Aurora Ferry.


List of Alaska Scenic Byways

The Alaska Scenic Byways Program is a program designated by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) that is used to recognize and protect the most scenic, historic, and recreational highways located in the U.S. state of Alaska. Recognized roadways may also be National Scenic Byways and National Forest Scenic Byways, both designated by the federal government, in addition to being Alaska Scenic Byways, which are designated by the state. The Alaska Scenic Byway system was created to recognize and protect Alaska's most important recreational highways.


Divje Babe

Divje Babe is a Karst cave and archaeological park overlooking the Idrijca River in Slovenia. It is noted for its Paleolithic remains, including the worked bone of cave bear known as the Divje Babe Flute, which has been interpreted as a Neanderthal musical instrument.
Name.
The name "Divje Babe" (literally, 'wild women') refers to witches, which were often believed to live in caves. The name therefore means 'Witch Cave'.
Location.
Divje Babe is located at above the valley of the Idrijca River. The Idrijca cuts through the Idrija Hills and Cerkno Hills, and opens to the Soča River.
Paleontology.
The cave site (Divje Babe I) was excavated from 1978 to 1986 by Mitja Brodar, and again from 1989 to 1995 by Ivan Turk and Janez Dirjec. The excavations dug through of infilling consisting of 26 main sediment layers. Among the artifacts uncovered were Aurignacian finds, including a bone point (in layer 2 or 3) dated to around 35,000 years ago. Around eight layers from the Mesolithic have been excavated containing around 20 hearths, 600 stone tools, and several bone artifacts. Numerous skeletal remains of the cave bear have also been found.
The Divje Babe Flute was found in layer 8, dated to the middle Paleolithic of 50,000 to 35,000 years ago. It was in close vicinity to a hearth, indicating the presence of prehistoric people, probably Neanderthals. The flute is a fragment of a thigh bone from a young cave bear with four recessed holes. The interpretation of the artifact as a flute is controversial and has been subject of fierce debate; some research instead suggests that the holes are of animal origin, hyena teeth marks.


List of North Carolina Scenic Byways

The North Carolina Scenic Byways consists of roads in the state of North Carolina that travel through areas of scenic, historic, and cultural significance. Launched in March 1990, the scenic byway program has presently 59 designated byways, including three national scenic byways and one all American road, a total of . The intent of this system is to provide travelers with a safe and interesting alternate route.


Rusenski Lom Nature Park

Rusenski Lom Nature Park () is a protected area in Ivanovo Municipality, Ruse Province, northern Bulgaria. The park was established on 26 February 1970, in order to protect the canyon of the Rusenski Lom, the last significant right tributary of the Danube. The park covers an area of .
The area of the park was settled in the prehistory. Between the 12th and the 14th centuries, during the Second Bulgarian Empire, the area became attractive for monks and several cave monasteries were founded. As a result of this, it became a significant cultural center. After the Ottoman Empire conquered the area, they started to decay. The remains of the monasteries are now a part of the Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo World Heritage Site located inside the park.
The canyon is isolated, allowing for the creation of a natural environment which combines features of Mediterranean and Central European fauna and flora. Much of the area is covered by forest.
The nature park is a major tourist attraction. Major activities in the park include visiting the rock-hewn churches, rafting, and visiting caves.


Roman Catholic Diocese of Nashik

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Nashik () is a diocese located in the city of Nashik in the Ecclesiastical province of Bombay in India.


The Gearagh

The Gearagh is a submerged glacial woodland and nature reserve two kilometres southwest of Macroom, County Cork, Ireland. It is located at the point where the River Lee descends from the mountains and widens at an alluvial plain, and stretches for roughly five kilometres, bounded by the townlands of Toonsbridge, Illaunmore and Anahala.
It was until recently densely populated with ancient oak trees and the last surviving full oak forest in western Europe.
Its official Irish name is An Gaorthadh, "the wooded river-valley" or "the river-bed". Author Seamus O'Donoghue provides another Irish name, "An Gaoire", derived from the Irish word "Gaorthadh". The area was flooded in 1954 to facilitate the building of two hydro-electric dams in Carrigadrohid and Inniscarra, which provide electricity for the nearby city of Cork. The area is now part of the plants' upper reservoir. The development required the flooding of the region; consequently, hundreds of trees were felled and many people were relocated. Many of the trees were centuries old and had grown since the medieval period. Today only their stumps survive, in flood land, giving the area a ghostly and almost lunar appearance.
Today it comprises wide but shallow water enclosing a series of small islands separated by anastomosing, mostly flat, river streams. It remains an area of outstanding natural beauty, with a diverse ecological system and wide variety of plants, birds and fish, including freshwater pearl mussel, Atlantic salmon, whooper swans, kingfishers and otters.
It is designated a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, and also enjoys international protection as an EU Special Area of Conservation of 558 ha. Part of the SAC is designated a nature reserve under the Irish Wildlife Act and the reservoir is a wildfowl sanctuary.
History.
The area is thought to have been wooded since the mid-Holocene, at the end of the last Ice Age, around 8,000 BC. It is situated at the point where the River Lee emerges from the hills to broaden on alluvial ground.
Until the 1950s, it extended as far as the Lee Bridge and consisted of a large number of oak and ash trees. It was gutted in 1954 during the construction of the Lee Valley hydro-electric plant, which necessitated extensive tree-felling and flooding. The trees, many of which were over many centuries old, were cut down and residents were relocated. Now submerged houses are visible from the area around Two Mile Bridge. The scheme resulted in the loss of sixty percent of the former oak woodland.
Local folklore associates the area with the Meascan Maraiocht, mischievous spirits that would deliberately confuse and lead visitors astray.
Because of its fragmented, secluded and maze like structure, it was inaccessible to local Gardaí, and was traditionally a haven for poitín makers; the area was until recently renowned for its high quality, potent brand.
Wildlife and conservation.
The Gearagh is primarily of interest and importance due to its rich and rare diversity of wildlife, and it represents the only extant extensive alluvial woodland in Western Europe. It hosts numerous rare plant species including marsh marigold, meadowsweet and nightshade, and 62 species of moss and liverwort. While oak and ash trees once pre-dominated, today there are a number of willow and alder trees on the higher islands and inlets. It hosts a large diversity of birds and wildfowl and attracts both summer and winter migrants. Examples include mallards, wigeon, Greylag geese, herons and coots. It also hosts Atlantic salmon and the near extinct freshwater pearl mussel. The area is protected under the international Ramsar Convention.
The area has been the focus of significant heritage and conservation efforts, especially by environmental biologist and conservationist Kevin Corcoran. He observed that before the dam was built "this was the last pure stand of ancient riverine forest that had survived intact since the last ice age. This was just one of four such systems on the whole planet." Describing the Gearagh as of "immense" importance, Corcoran observed in a later interview how it is "hard to imagine what the area looked like before being flooded – a vast inland delta of inter-connecting, many branched streams that encircled a maze of small and inaccessible islands, covered in oak forest. It was protected from the ravages of humanity by its swampy terrain, deep swirling streams and treacherous banks of soft mud with holes big enough to swallow a horse."
According to filmmaker Declan O’Mahony, "If the water level was permanently dropped, the Gearagh would grow back and has the full potential to become a world heritage site on a par with Newgrange, the Giant’s Causeway and The Burren". (The Burren is not actually a World Heritage Site, although it has been put forward as a candidate.).
The Gearagh was declared a statutory nature reserve in 1987, under the protection of the Wildlife Act but owned by the ESB.


Aquicuana Reserve

The Aquicuana Municipal Reserve is a protected natural reserve located about 20 km from the city of Riberalta in the Beni department in northern Bolivia and in the Amazon. It is home to Lake San José, a medicinal retreat center, Pistahua, and two communities, San José and Warnes. Its name, Aquicuana, comes from the ancestral name of the lake which was before named Aquicuana in the Tacana indigenous language and means the place of big trees.
History.
In 1995 when the municipality of Riberalta put in place a first law to protect the San José Lake. Then in 2004 the municipality extended the borders of the reserve to 1,600 Hectares.
In 2016, with the collaboration between the local communities, the municipality of Riberalta and the associations Sustainable Bolivia and Fundación Amazonia the reserve expanded to reach more than 20,000 hectares. The objective of making it an official reserve was to protect it from agricultural expansion and intensive livestock farming, deforestation, mining and extraction of its natural resources while allowing both communities to live with dignity there.
Location
The reserve is located in the Amazon forest, in the Beni department in Bolivia in the Vaca Diez province. The reserve is also close to the border of the Pando Department and Brazil. Close to the city of Riberalta (also called the Bolivian Amazonian capital) you can go there by taxi (motorcycle or car).
Climate.
Like any reserve in the rainforest, Aquicuana has an environment and a tropical and humid climate. It is hot and humid from October to April and dry but still warm from May to September. Temperatures do not exceed 35 degrees but can fall below 20 degrees when cold from the southern winds comes. Nevertheless, during the wet season it can rain up to 4000 mm.
Biodiversity of the reserve.
The reserve contains a large amount of the Amazonian biodiversity, and a few research have been made on the topic. For the moment, a complete inventory is not possible. This reserve ensures the protection of nature but it also allows its observation.
Mammals.
The most well-known and recognized mammals in the reserve are jaguars, armadillos and monkeys.
Amphibians.
There are about forty types of frogs present in the reserve which have been listed. We can mention the "Rana verde" Phyllomedusa camba. It can measure up to 83 millimeters. It is known for its slowness and difficulties to jump. From its pretty light green color it is easily recognizable. We can also mention the Pipa Pipa or also call Common suriname toad. It has the distinction of not making love songs to attract females but of snapping a bone in its throat instead.
Birds.
The reserve now counts more than 330 different types of birds. Among the most known birds in the reserve is the Collared aracari () better known as the Tucanillo. This toucan is easily recognizable thanks to its yellow underparts with a red-brown band and is brown on the side of its head. There is also the Scarlet Macaw () also very easily recognizable thanks to its colors. It is one of the four species of Ara visible in the reserve. And finally it is also possible to see a rare and endemic species of the region: Masked Antpitta (Hylopezus auricularis) (). It is classified as "Vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) because of its very small range. It only exits in Riberalta and around. It has a dark brown "mask" around the eyes under a gray crown with a ridged groove and olive-brown upperparts.
Insects.
Like any parts of the Amazon, Aquicuana is full of insects. Among the most recognizable and easily identifiable are butterflies. The red band Biblis Hyperia is widely spread with a wingspan of 51 mm to 76 mm, its hind wings are much festooned. The reverse is a lighter brown with a pink band. Morpho deidamia is also very present in the reserve.
The communities.
Two communities have lived in the reserve for several years: Warnes and San José. They both have a democratic election system to elect community presidents. Both live reserve resources such as agriculture and fishing.
Warnes.
The community of Warnes was created in 1957 by farmers who wanted to live in a community with fewer people. They were seduced by the setting offered by this environment and in order to have access to education and water, they formalized the community on 16 June 1957.
The community lives exclusively from the exploitation of natural resources. The cultivation of the land, the harvesting of the Brazil nut, the fishing and the breeding rhythm the daily life of the inhabitants of the community.
San Jose.
The community of San José is less accessible than the community of Warnes. It is therefore less developed and structured. It was founded in 1975 by 15 families who settled near the lake for the exploitation of rubber. Indeed, the company "Casa Suarez" (see Nicolás Suárez Callaú) was very present at that time in the region and employed many people. Despite the almost instantaneous cessation of rubber production, the community remained on these lands.
Today the community has 27 families, about 200 people. The community also lives on rice, banana and Yucca crops. Anything that is not consumed is sold on the Riberalta market. And just like in Warnes the president of the community is elected for 2 years by the heads of families (men and women).
Ecotourism.
The communities organized themselves to provide the tours for tourists wishing to explore the Amazon rainforest. The idea is to make sure tourists can visit the reserve while respecting the nature.
Pisatahua.
Pisatahua is an integrative retreat of plant medicine and ayahuasca, located in the reserve itself. This environment offers a setting immersed in the Amazon jungle, while working with traditional medicinal plants.


Flattop Site

The Flattop Site is a prehistoric location situated within the boundaries of the Petrified Forest National Park, near Adamana, Arizona. The site was inhabited by the Basketmaker II culture from approximately 1-300 AD. In 1949-1950 the site, consisting of roughly 25 pit-houses, was excavated by Fred Wendorf. Among the objects excavated were about fourteen projectile points. In 1953 Wendorf again excavated the site, revealing "Adamana brown" pottery, a plain brown pottery from the Basketmaker III culture.


The Ridges Sanctuary

The Ridges Sanctuary is a nature preserve and land trust in Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin. It is listed as a National Natural Landmark, Important Bird Area and Wisconsin State Natural Area. It was founded in 1937 and was the first land trust in the state.
The sanctuary is also home to the Baileys Harbor Range Lights, which were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
The Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center opened in 2015. The 7,400-square foot facility is LEED certified, and includes displays about the preserve's karst topography, wildflowers, plants, animals and the history of the site's founding.
Orchid project.
Although the sanctuary is home to wild orchids, it also operates an orchid restoration project to cultivate and introduce rare orchids into otherwise natural plant communities. 25 native orchid species are currently kept at the Ridges. A 1998 survey of wild, native orchids was carried out in response to continued theft of the sanctuary orchids. 28 species were identified.


Gulf Coast Town Center

Gulf Coast Town Center is an outdoor shopping mall in Fort Myers, Florida, United States. Opened in phases between 2005 and 2007, the center features Bass Pro Shops, Belk, Costco, Dick's Sporting Goods, LA Fitness, Marshalls, Regal Entertainment Group, and Target as its anchor stores. It is managed by CBL & Associates Properties.
History.
One of the first tenants confirmed for the mall site was a Belk department store, which was announced in 2003. The first phase included Staples (now closed), Petco, Jo-Ann Fabrics (moved to Coconut Point), Babies "R" Us (now Five Below and Ulta Beauty), and a Regal Entertainment Group movie theater, followed by a Bass Pro Shops in the second phase in 2007. Other tenants included Costco, Linens 'n Things (now a HomeGoods), Best Buy (now closed), Residence Inn by Marriott, JCPenney (now closed), and several restaurants. The final phase, completed in 2008, included Ron Jon Surf Shop, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Borders Books & Music, the latter of which is now closed.


Tampere Market Hall

Tampere Market Hall () is one of the significant market places in Tampere, Finland. It is located in the center of city, between Hämeenkatu and Hallituskatu, and it was opened in 1901. It was decided to build the market in Tampere as a result of a large and unregulated market. It is the largest market hall in the Nordic countries.
The floor area of the market hall is 2,100 m2 and the volume is about 18,500 m³. The market hall has 174 sales outlets and in 2013 there were 39 companies operating in them. 40 percent of the outlets are used in cafeterias and restaurants. The longest of the current stores in the mall have been Joenniemi Flower Shop (1940–) and Lindgren Bros. Meat Shop (1949–).
History.
The building was designed by architect Hjalmar Åberg. Construction planning began in 1894 and construction in 1899. In 1973, the building was protected by a decision of the Häme Provincial Government. The protection dispute over the office building on the Hämeenkatu side of the Market Hall took place in 1972–1983 and ended in the victory of the patrons. The office building designed by Åberg is part of the same building complex as the market hall.


Byers Peak Wilderness

The Byers Peak Wilderness is a U.S. Wilderness Area located in Arapaho National Forest in north central Colorado. The wilderness was established in 1993 and named after its highest point, Byers Peak. Byers Peak was named after William N. Byers, the first mayor of Hot Sulphur Springs and the founder of Colorado's first newspaper, the Rocky Mountain News. The wilderness contains two glacial lakes, two peaks over , and of trails.
References.
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Changdao County

The Changdao County ) is a county in Yantai, a prefectural area of Shandong in the People's Republic of China. It consists of the Changshan Islands within the Bohai Strait, directly north of Penglai. They are known for their sandy beaches and picturesque limestone cliffs. The total land area is only , but the coastline is long.
Geography.
The Changshan Islands (), also known as the Temple Islands or Miaodao Archipelago () are an archipelago of 32 islands located across the southern portion of the Bohai Strait, the waterway connecting the Bohai Sea to the Yellow Sea, collectively named after the two largest islands. In Chinese, they are also known as the "Long Islands" (), and anciently as the "Sandy Gate Islands" ().
Administrative Divisions.
The Changdao County has jurisdiction over one subdistrict, one town and six townships:
Islands.
There are 32 islands in Changshan Islands, and 10 of them have permanent residential settlements. These islands are mostly formed by Proterozoic low-grade metamorphic rocks, with smaller amounts of Tertiary igneous rocks and Quaternary sedimentary rocks.
Demographics.
Ten of the islands are occupied, and there are twenty-two uninhabited islands, some little more than sand spits. There is one large town, Tuoji Town (砣矶镇, population 8,495) and seven smaller towns with forty villages, with a total population in the county of 52,000.
Economy.
The major occupation is aquaculture, producing products such as sea cucumbers, abalone, sea urchins, bivalves, kelp, scallops, prawns and fish. Tourism is also important; many of the villages sport resort hotels.
Transportation.
The islands are regularly served by both a passenger and vehicle Roll On, Roll Off ferry from Penglai. There is a small military airport on the largest island, South Changshan Island.
Tourism.
Both Changdao National Forest Park and Changdao National Nature Reserve are located on the islands, which are on a cross-Bohai Sea flyway.
Temple Island () got its name from the large number of temples that were built there. Xianying Palace is a temple that was built during the Northern Song Dynasty, starting in 1122. It was originally a Taoist temple to the sea goddess Matsu, but became Buddhist later. At the present time the local government has restored the temple to its Ming Dynasty appearance, although many additions had been made during the Qing.


Shelter Cove Towne Centre

Shelter Cove Towne Centre, formerly The Mall at Shelter Cove, is a mixed-use lifestyle center located in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. The center features two anchor stores, which include Belk and Kroger, a park, and two luxury apartment buildings.
History.
The Mall at Shelter Cove.
The original mall opened in April 1988 under the development of Jim Wilson & Associates, with Jordan Marsh and Belk as anchor stores. At the time, it included more than 60 inline tenants, such as Banana Republic, Victoria's Secret, Express, The Limited and four restaurants, which included Patti Arbuckle's, a favorite of both tourists and locals, that featured live entertainment on its patio.
In 1991, Jordan Marsh closed and JCPenney replaced it. JCPenney closed in 1996, becoming a Saks Fifth Avenue in 1997. Saks downgraded the store to an Off Fifth outlet store in 2004.
Although Belk expanded its store in 2007, Mall at Shelter Cove lost many major tenants throughout the 2000s. Stores like Crabtree & Evelyn, Brooks Brothers, PacSun, Waldenbooks, Ann Taylor, and Williams Sonoma were all lost by the end of the decade. In 2008, representatives of then-owner Petrie Ross announced plans to add a movie theater, but this was canceled because the company could not secure money to build one.
Off Fifth relocated to the Tanger Factory Outlet Centers in nearby Bluffton in February 2011. Shortly afterward, supermarket chain Kroger bought the mall. In early 2012 it was reported that the mall would be demolished (excluding the Belk stores) and turned into a community park development with a Kroger grocery store.
New development.
The Mall at Shelter Cove closed January 2013, with demolition beginning on the 13th. Construction began soon afterward, redeveloping the mall into an outdoor lifestyle center. The new center features of retail space along with a five-acre park.
In December 2013, Kroger opened their location in the center, adding the second anchor store. Soon after, additional tenants such as JoS. A. Bank, Orange Leaf, and AT&T added locations in the center.
In March 2015, construction began on WaterWalk at Shelter Cove, two apartment buildings along Broad Creek. The two apartment buildings were originally scheduled to be completed in 2016 and include over 200 apartments and a five-story parking garage.
In February 2017, it was announced that site work for the first of two luxury apartment buildings was nearing completion. The first houses 136 apartments and the second holds 104 units. In May 2017, the first of the two buildings opened. The second is scheduled to open by the end of 2018 into early 2019 as construction nears completion.


Aliwagwag Protected Landscape

The Aliwagwag Protected Landscape is a protected area that preserves a major drainage catchment in the southern Philippine island of Mindanao in the Davao Region. It contains the headwaters of the Cateel River in the southern Diuata Mountain Range which provides the water source and irrigation for surrounding rice fields and communities in Davao de Oro and Davao Oriental provinces. It was named after the remote rural village in the municipality of Cateel where Aliwagwag Falls, the country's highest waterfall, is located.
The protected landscape is part of the Philippines' National Integrated Protected Areas System and was established in 2011 through Proclamation No. 139 issued by President Benigno Aquino III. It was initially a component of the Agusan–Davao–Surigao Forest Reserve declared in 1931 through Proclamation No. 369 by Governor-General Dwight F. Davis which underwent several amendments over the years to open up a few areas in the mineral rich watershed to mining.
Description.
Aliwagwag is situated in the Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor which contains one of the largest remaining blocks of tropical lowland rainforest in the Philippines. It covers an area of and a buffer zone of in the hydrologically rich mountainous interior of the municipalities of Cateel and Boston in Davao Oriental as well as a portion of the municipality of Compostela in Davao de Oro. A tributary of the Cateel River which includes the Aliwagwag Falls flows through the park from the high Mount Agtuuganon in the Diuata Range or Mindanao Pacific Cordillera. This multi-tiered waterfall with 84 steps ranging from has a combined height of . To the south of the park lie the foothills of the high Mount Pasian with the Cateel River running between the mountains and into the Cateel Bay which opens to the Philippine Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
The protected landscape is composed of lowland forests, with some areas of montane and mossy forests around the peaks of the mountains. A small Mandaya community who practice slash-and-burn agriculture and plantation farming can also be found in the park's lower slopes. Near the park's eastern edge are irrigation canals leading to the Cateel Dam in the village of Aragon which provides irrigation to over of rice fields in 11 villages in Cateel.
Aliwagwag is accessible via the new Compostela–Cateel Road that runs through the park and near the waterfall connecting northern Davao Oriental with Compostela. It is located just west from the Cateel Poblacion and some east of Davao City.
Biodiversity.
Aliwagwag occupies an important bird and biodiversity area in the Upper Cateel River Basin of the Agtuuganon–Pasian mountains. Its forest is home to the Philippine eagle as well as several other threatened and endemic bird species such as the Visayan miniature babbler, little slaty flycatcher and Lina's sunbird. The park also hosts the Philippine hawk-eagle, Philippine dwarf kingfisher, spotted imperial pigeon, giant scops owl, and Hombron's kingfisher. It is also home to the tallest trees in the Philippines, the Philippine rosewood, known locally as "toog". In the waters of the upper Cateel River, a rare species of fish can be found called "sawugnun" by locals which is harvested as a delicacy.


Pollardstown Fen

Pollardstown Fen is Ireland's largest extant calcareous spring-fed fen, a national nature reserve, Special Area of Conservation, and Ramsar site of approximately in County Kildare.
Features.
Pollardstown Fen was legally protected as a national nature reserve by the Irish government in 1986. It is also a Special Area of Conservation and is deemed to be of international importance as a habitat. 60% of the fen is owned by the Irish state, and its designation as a reserve was in response to drainage schemes from the 1960s which converted parts of the fen into agricultural land. In 1990, the site was also declared Ramsar site number 474.
Pollardstown Fen is the largest spring-fed calcareous alkaline fen still extant in Ireland, fed from the Curragh Aquifier with petrifying springs. Among the notable species found on the site are "Cladium mariscus", "Caricion davallianae", "Vertigo geyeri", "Vertigo angustior", and "Vertigo moulinsiana". The site's flora is dominated by black bog rush and saw sedge, with other species recorded including the fly orchid, western bladderwort, sphagnum moss and broad-leaved bog cotton. A large number of birds are found on the reserve such as sand martins, skylarks, mute swans, herons, little grebe, coots, moorhens, reed buntings, water rails, snipe, sedge warblers, pintail and tufted ducks. Other animals that inhabit the area include otters, hares, pygmy shrews, and smooth newts. There is a boardwalk at the site for visitors.
The fen was impacted for a time by the side-effects from the construction of the Kildare by-pass in 2003, when the water levels in the fen were disrupted.


Old Spanish Treasure Cave

The 'Old Spanish Treasure Cave' is located on Hwy 59 between Sulphur Springs and Gravette, Arkansas in the northwest corner of the state.
Legend.
Over 350 years ago, Spanish Conquistadors traveled north through the wilderness to find the Seven Cities of Cibola, a treasure of gold. Though Coronado went back to Mexico empty-handed, it is believed that some of the Spaniards found treasure, and hid it in the cave before Indians killed them.
The cave was sealed up until it was re-discovered in 1885 by an old Spaniard from Madrid. The legend apparently led him to two maps: one on a tree, and another on a rock. Neither these maps nor the treasure, estimated today at 40 million dollars, have ever been found. There have been other intriguing things found in the area, such as helmets, pieces of armor, and weapons from the period. A few gold coins had also been reported. The Spaniard did not stay long, due to ill health.
Continued search.
The legend was kept alive by George Dunbar, who continued searching for the treasure for many years. He, too, had to give up the search due to ill health. The cave was finally opened to the public in the 1930s after several other failed attempts to find the treasure. The hunt still goes on today. The cave has never been fully explored, and new territories are charted every year.
The Old Spanish Treasure Cave is still open to the public, offering guided tours throughout the year. Panning for gem stones, crystals and fossils is another activity offered at this attraction. The cave stays at a constant 56 degrees year round.
Cave formation.
The cave formation is known as a karst cave. This formation is still a topic of geological research. Basically, it is formed from water containing carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolving limestone.
Unlike with salt and gypsum, water is not able to dissolve limestone without a little help from carbon dioxide. When limestone contains cracks, water oozes into the rock and starts to widen the cracks and solute caves inside the layers. Through the cooling and heating of this water, the formation of the caves are made.


Kandiyoor Sree Mahadeva Temple

Kandiyoor Sree Mahadeva Temple is an ancient Shiva temple situated in Kandiyoor near Mavelikkara on the banks of Achankovil river. Kandiyoor was once the capital of the Odanadu kingdom. The temple and region are related to the history of ancient Buddhism in Kerala. Mattom Sree Mahadeva Temple also known as ("shiva nada")is west of Mavelikara town north of State Highway 6. It is spread across an area of .
Legends.
There are many legends associated with the temple. It is considered as one among the 108 great Shiva temples of ancient Kerala consecrated by Lord Parashurama himself. according to another legend the Rishi Mrikandu, the father of Rishi Markandeya got an idol of Lord Shiva in Kirathamoorthy form while bathing in Ganga. He heard an oracle that the idol be placed in a holy and befitting place. The Rishi searching for the apt location came to Kerala and ended up in the bank of Achankovil and established the temple in Kandiyoor. The name Kandiyoor is a corruption of Kandathil.
According to another legend the temple is located at the site where Lord Shiva cut off Lord Brahma's head. The name Kandiyoor comes from name of Shiva Sri Kantan.
It is believed that Lord Parasurama renovated the temple and gave tanthrik rights to Tharananallur family.
History.
Kandiyoor and the temple have great significance in Kerala's history. The Kandiyoor temple is the earliest temple about which there is an epigraph about its origin in A.D 823 during the reign of Rajasekhara Varman. There was an era name 'Kandiyoorabdam' from the formation of the temple that was in widespread use until the introduction of Kollavarsham.
It is also believed that the temple was once Hinayana Buddhist temple and King of Mavelikara ordered the removal of Buddha and keep in its place Shivalinga. The kandiyoor("kannankara panicker family")It is also believed that it is this displaced shiva that was retrieved from the nearby paddy fields and placed near the Mavelikkara Sree Krishna Swamy Temple (Buddha Junction) in recent times.
The Kandiyoor inscription (K. E. 393) dated 1218 says that Kandiyoor temple was reconstructed by Rama Kotha Varma of Odanad and the Kalasam ceremony was attended by devadicci Unni wife of Ravi Kerala Varma King of Venad after deliberations between the three.
Kandiyoor was annexed to Kayamkulam by Kayamkulam Rajah and later to Travancore by Marthanda Varma. It is believed that during the war between Odanadu and Kayamkulam the defeated Kayamkulam Raja surrendered his sword in the temple and left through the rear door which still remains closed after centuries.
The temple is mentioned in Unnuneeli Sandesam written around the 14th century.
Sri Kandiyur Mahadeva Shastrikal - a Sanskrit Scholar who wrote many Bhashyams for - Lalitha Sahasranamam, Lalitha Thrishati etc. lived in Kandiyooor.
Temple Description.
The primary deity of the temple is Lord Shiva known as Kandiyoorappan (the ruling deity of Kandiyoor). The deity is east facing. The sanctum santorum is two-tiered and there is a platform in the front for devotees, a feature that is of the Hoysala style. The bottom tier is oval in shape while the top tier is rectangular. The Gajaprishta style wall is believed to be constructed by Shiva's Bhothaganas. There are puranic legend stone scriptures in the temple.
Deity.
The primary deity, Kandiyoorappan, is believed to be in kirathamoorthy form. The deity worshipped as Dakshinamoorthy in the morning, Umamaheshwaran in the noon, Kirathamoorthy in the evening. Deity is worshipped as Panchmukha from South-West corner of Pradakshina Vazhy by viewing five Thazikakudams of Shiva temples and as Vaikatappan(ruling deity of Vaikom) during sunset. The sub-deities in the temple include Vishnu, Parvatheesan, Nagaraja and Nagayakshi, Gosala Krishnan, Sastha, Sankaran, Sreekandan, Vadakkumnathan, Annapoomeswary, Ganapathy, Subramanyan, Moola Ganapathy and Brahma Rakshas of which Sankara, Sreekanda, Vadakkumnadha, Parvatheesa and Mrityunjayaare Shiva himself. There are six Shivalinga Prathishtas in this temple.


Detroit River Heritage Parkway

The Detroit River Heritage Parkway is a tourist route in Essex County, Ontario, stretching from Windsor to Amherstburg. The designation was given by the Essex Region Conservation Authority, and placed along roads that travel closely to the Detroit River.
The road starts on Riverside Drive near Sandpoint Beach at the eastern end of the Detroit River, and travels through downtown Windsor and the Sandwich neighbourhood. It continues along Sandwich Street before meeting up with Ojibway Parkway, down along County Road 20, and leading to Amherstburg, showing places of natural and historical significance along the way.
The Detroit River is also the only river in North America to have both American Heritage River and Canadian Heritage River designations.


Pen-y-Pass

Pen-y-Pass is a mountain pass in Snowdonia, Gwynedd, north-west Wales. It is a popular location from which to walk up Snowdon, as three of the popular routes (the Miners Track, the Pyg Track and the ascent via Crib Goch) can be started here. Glyder Fawr, to the north, is also accessible from here.
Situated at the high point of the Llanberis Pass at an altitude of , (about a third of the height of Snowdon) the road was built in the 1830s to allow ore from the mines on Snowdon to be transported to Llanberis. It would be taken down the Miners Track to a store-house at Pen-y-Pass first. Previously, the miners had had to move the ore over the Snowdon summit and down to Beddgelert, which is located at around a third the height of Snowdon.
The Llanberis pass road extends beyond Pen-y-Pass to join the Beddgelert-to-Capel Curig road at the Pen-y-Gwryd hotel. That notable climbing hotel was used as a base by Sir John Hunt, Baron Hunt and his team whilst training for the successful 1953 expedition to Mount Everest and equipment and autographs from that and other expeditions may be seen in the Everest Room.
The former Gorphwysfa Hotel at Pen-y-Pass is now a youth hostel operated by YHA, and opposite is an information centre and café and a Snowdonia National Park-run car park. There is also a car park at the foot of the Llanberis Pass at Nant Peris as well as others in Llanberis village. There is a park and ride bus service to Pen-y-pass car park, which is the hub of the year-round Sherpa bus network provided by Express Motors and GHA Coaches. This service links Pen-y-Pass to Llanberis, Capel Curig, Betws-y-Coed, Beddgelert, Porthmadog, Rhyd Ddu and Waunfawr.


Tantauco Park

Tantauco Park (Spanish: Parque Tantauco) is a private natural reserve on the south end of Chiloé Island in Chile. The park was created by Chilean business magnate and President of Chile Sebastián Piñera in 2005 in order to protect 118,000 hectares of the region's unique ecosystem. Piñera owns the foundation "Fundación Cultura y Sociedad" (formerly "Fundación Futuro"), which runs the park. The park is open to the public with two campgrounds and a network of hiking trails.
Tantauco Park is an attractive ecotourist destination due to the remarkable biodiversity of its nearly untouched Valdivian temperate rainforest and the rather easy public access. Precipitations in the area average about annually.
Some of the endangered species that can be seen in the park include Guaitecas cypress, Huillín otter, Chilote fox and the Blue whale


Assateague State Park

Assateague State Park is a public recreation area in Worcester County, Maryland, USA, located at the north end of Assateague Island, a barrier island bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and Sinepuxent Bay on the west. The state park is bordered on both its north and south sides by Assateague Island National Seashore and is reached via the Verrazano Bridge which carries Maryland Route 611 across Sinepuxent Bay. The park offers wildlife viewing, beach activities, and camping facilities. It is managed by the Maryland Park Service of the larger Maryland Department of Natural Resources with the support of volunteers working under the auspices of the non-profit Friends of Assateague State Park.
History.
State planners suggested establishing a state park on Assateague Island in 1940 and again in 1952. The park was finally created in 1956 when the state Board of Public Works accepted a gift of 540 acres from North Ocean Beach, Incorporated. Funds for further acquisitions were allocated by the General Assembly of Maryland in 1959 and 1962, with funding for facility development allocated in 1965.
A tradition of New Year's Day walks in the park began on January 1, 1980, the same year President Jimmy Carter proclaimed "Year of the Coast." The walk was started by two women, Ilea Fehrer and Judy Johnson, founder of the Committee to Preserve Assateague Island (now known as the Assateague Coastal Trust), who sought to celebrate the beauty of the island and rally against plans to develop areas around it. It subsequently became an annual tradition, with the 40th iteration taking place in 2020, and became very popular over time, with people driving from various other parts of the state to join in with up to 300 others. The Ilia Fehrer / Judy Johnson Memorial Beach Walk, named after the two women who started it, is now part of Maryland's roster of the nationwide offering of First Day Hikes in state parks.
Wildlife.
Wildlife found in the park's marsh areas include deer, waterfowl, and feral Assateague horses.
Activities and amenities.
Rackliffe House, which overlooks Sinepuxent Bay, is a restored 18th-century coastal plantation building that houses the Coastal Maryland Heritage Center. The park campground has 350 sites.


Borra Caves

The Borra Caves, also called "Borra Guhalu", are located on the East Coast of India, in the Ananthagiri hills of the Araku Valley (with hill ranges' elevation varying from ) of the Visakhapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh. The caves, one of the largest in the country, at an elevation of about , distinctly exhibit a variety of speleothems ranging in size and irregularly shaped stalactites and stalagmites. The caves are basically karstic limestone structures extending to a depth of , and are considered the deepest caves in India.
History.
The native name for the caves is "Borra Guhalu". Where "Borra" means brain in Telugu language and "guhalu" means caves in Telugu language
The caves were discovered in 1807, by William King George of the Geological Survey of India.
Legend.
On the discovery of the caves, there are several legends, which the tribals (Jatapu, Porja, Kondadora, Nookadora, valmiki etc.) who inhabit the villages around the caves narrate. The popular legend is that a cow, grazing on the top of the caves, dropped through a hole in the roof. The cowherd while searching for the cow came across the caves. He found a stone inside the cave that resembled a Lingam, which he interpreted as the Lord Shiva who protected the cow. The village folk who heard the story believed it and since then they have built a small temple for Lord Shiva outside the cave. People flock to the temple for worship and the cave to get a glimpse of the Lingam.
Another lyrical legend is that the Shiva Lingam representing the Hindu God Lord Shiva, is found deep in the caves and above which is a stone formation of a cow (Sanskrit: Kamadhenu). It is surmised that the udder of this cow is the source of the Gosthani (Sanskrit: Cow's udder) River which originates from here, flows through Vizianagram and Visakhapatnam districts before emptying into the Bay of Bengal near Bheemunipatnam.
Geography and climate.
The caves are located in the Araku Valley of the Ananthagiri hill range and is drained by the Gosthani River. At the entry, the cave measures up to horizontally and vertically. Stalagmite and stalactite formations are found in the caves.
The average annual temperature of Araku hills, where the caves are situated, is about . The average annual rainfall reported is (mostly occurring during the northeast monsoon). The Gosthani river provides water supply to the Visakhapatnam city.
Geology.
The regional geology in the Eastern Ghats mobile belt, where the caves are located, is represented by the khondalite suite of rocks (garnetiferrous sillimanite gneisses, quartzo-feldsphatic garnet gneisses) of Archaen age. Quaternary deposits consist of red bed sediments, laterites, pediment fans, colluvium, alluvium and coastal sands.
The caves in the reserved forest area basically host a variety of speleothems of various sizes and irregularly shaped stalactites and stalagmites. The carbonate rocks are pure white, and coarsely crystalline and the deformed and banded marbles cover a triangular area of ; surrounded by diopside–scapolite–feldspar calc-granulites. The pyroxenite outcrops are dark and massive and include discontinuous calc-silicate bands, some of brown mica and others with calcite.
Formation.
The Gosthani River, which originates from these caves and flows between the solidified stalactites and stalagmites in the karstic limestones formation, is the cause for the development of the odd shapes of structures. Water percolating from the roof of the caves dissolve limestone and trickle drop by drop to form stalactites at the roof of the cave and then dripping down to the ground form stalagmites. These deposits have developed into interesting forms and structures inside the caves such as Shiva–Parvati, Mother–Child, Rishi’s beard, human brain, mushrooms, crocodile, temple, church, etc. These shapes have captured the imagination of tourists, while some have been given religious interpretations.
Formations in the caves.
The caves are deep and totally aphotic. There is an area in the caves with limited light penetration. The stalactites seen in the caves are about in length while the stalagmites are long and columns are in height and in width. The height of the cave is and the length is about . The average temperature of the inner cave wall is reported to be about . Sulfur springs discharge into the cave passages causing corrosion of limestone. The spring waters display floating mucus-like biofilms.
These are thick orange microbial mats ( thick) with patches of yellow biofilms extending from the aphotic deep cave orifice.
While the caves are basically limestone formations, the area surrounding these are of mica formations which are prospected for precious stones like rubies.
Archeological artifacts (Paleolithic implements) have been found in the caves. The excavations carried out in the caves by the archeologists of the Andhra University, have unearthed stone tools of middle Paleolithic culture dating back 30,000 to 50,000 years, which confirm human habitation.
Genesis.
Speleothem carbonates found in the caves have been subject to scientific studies. In fluviatile, spring, cave and soil environments microbial carbonates are important. In the biofilms and/or microbial mats, which are formed in the caves, the principal organisms associated are bacteria, particularly cyanobacteria, small algae and fungi. Petrographic analysis of a thin section has uncovered the presence of lithified structures and micrite, present as laminated to clotted with chocolate-brown blebs. These are identical to microbialites observed in modern and ancient stromatolitic carbonates. Laboratory observations with scanning electron microscope (SEM) have also confirmed the presence of calcified bacteria, micro-rods, and needle calcite. Organic mats (yellow-orange in colour) are made up of mineralized filamentous bacteria, bacterial stalks, cells and sheaths. Thus, these studies have indicated that microorganisms have actively influenced the genesis of speleothems of the Borra Caves.
Biological environment.
Micro organisms.
The effect of microorganisms in the mats on the cave formation and their role on iron mineral precipitation has been further studied. A report indicates a link between iron–rich mats formation and iron precipitating bacteria.
Fauna and flora.
The fauna observed in the caves are predominantly bats, as well as the golden gecko. The type of bat reported is the fulvous fruit bat ("Rousettus leschenaultii") – a species which roosts in large caves, old buildings, dungeons and dark areas of old forts. This species has short and slender musculature with large, well developed eyes. They feed on flowers and fruits, particularly jamun, guava, silk, cotton and mango.
Stygofauna.
"Habrobathynella borraensis" was described from the Borra Caves. It is the first Indian cavernicolous species of the genus "Habrobathynella".
Location and access.
The caves are located in the Ananthagiri hills range of the Araku valley of the Visakhapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh. The caves are from Bhubaneshwar in Odisha and from Hyderabad, both via National Highway 5. The caves are well connected by road, rail and air services. The nearest international airport is Visakhapatnam Airport, from Borra Caves, which is from the Visakhapatnam city center. Vishkapatnam is away by road. It is mostly a hill road and the journey takes about three hours.
Train services operate on the Kothavalasa-Kirandul railway line in East Coast Railway, Indian Railways. The train journey over a distance of from the Vishkapatanam railway station passes through Eastern Ghats (hill) section), which has 30 tunnels en route. The journey by train takes about five hours to the Railway Station near the caves called the Borra Guhalu Railway station.
Visitor information.
Guided tours for a day trip to the Borra Caves cover interesting attractions like the Tyada Railway Tunnel, Damuku View Point, Ananthagiri Coffee Plantation, Padmapuram Gardens and the Araku Valley. For the benefit of the visitors, an information board at the entry point to the caves gives some details of the caves and its surroundings (pictured).
An Arraku and Borra rail-cum-road package tour organized by the Andhra Pradesh State Tourism Department is available for visitors keen to see the Borra Caves.
A walk around the caves provides views of the mountainous area which is rich in flora and fauna. The Andhra Pradesh State Tourism Department has installed 26 mercury, sodium vapor and halogen electric lamps, which provide views of the formations. The Araku valley, a hill station about from the Borra Caves, is also a tourist attraction for people visiting the caves.
November and December are ideal months to visit the caves.
External links.
Borra Caves


Arc Dome Wilderness

The Arc Dome Wilderness is a protected wilderness area in the Toiyabe Range of Nye County, in the central section of the state of Nevada in the western United States. It covers an area of approximately , Nevada's largest Wilderness area. Attractions include the -long Toiyabe Crest Trail offers travelers atop the ridge of the Toiyabe Range, including within the Arc Dome Wilderness.
Wildlife in the Wilderness includes Columbia spotted frog, mule deer, sharp-shinned hawk, golden eagle, Clark's nutcracker, sagebrush sparrow, sagebrush vole, black-throated gray warbler, yellow warbler, northern goshawk, big brown bat, and Great Basin skink.
The Arc Dome Wilderness is administered by the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.


Coron Island

Coron is the third-largest island in the Calamian Islands in northern Palawan in the Philippines. The island is part of the larger municipality of the same name. It is about southwest of Manila and is known for several Japanese shipwrecks of World War II vintage. Because of its unique ecological features, the entire area is protected by several legal proclamations.
The island and surrounding fishing grounds are part of the ancestral domain of the indigenous Tagbanwa people, officially designated such on June 5, 1998. Known as Calis among the Tagbanwas and Coronians, its tribal chieftain is Rodolfo Aguilar I.
The island comprises two barangays of the municipality of Coron: Banuang Daan and Cabugao.
Geography.
Partially between Busuanga and Culion islands, Coron Island faces the Sulu Sea and forms the eastern side of Coron Bay. It is about long from north to south, and at its widest point.
It is a wedge-shaped mountainous island, dominated by steep cliffs and Karst rock formations made of Permian limestone of Jurassic origin that comprises about 70% of its area. Another 25% is rolling hills, while only 5% is relatively flat. There are 11 lakes nestled in the rugged terrain, of which 3 have underground connections to the sea. There are a few mangroves in coastal areas.
Diving.
The area around the wrecks has rock formations which provide for snorkeling opportunities, with underwater visibility extending up to . The water is often calm. Coron is one of the most visited destinations for wreck diving in the Philippines. Wreck dive sites are found in depths as shallow as and as deep as . Most are in the range of about .
Dive sites around Coron include many different reef dive sites and "Günter´s Cave", also known as Cathedral Cave because during a certain time of the day, the sun throws a beam of light through a hole in the cave ceiling, illuminating the inside. It is possible to surface in the cave, as the hole in the cave-ceiling allows fresh air to enter.
The cave is named after Günther Bernert, who was part of the first dive group to explore the cave, after hearing from local fishermen about its existence.
Wreck diving sites in Coron Bay include the "Akitsushima", "Irako", "Kogyo Maru", "Kyokuzan Maru", "Nanshin Maru", "Okikawa Maru", "Olympia Maru", Lusong Gunboat, East Tangat gunboat (the name of the ship, "Terukaze Maru", was recently discovered by a group of Dutch divers, who spent a couple of days digging into bottom sand around the stern), and 'Skeleton' Wrecks.
The aquatic views from the sunken Japanese ships off Coron Island are listed in "Forbes Traveler Magazine"’s top-10 best scuba diving sites in the world.
Other Points of Interest.
Ecotourism has long surpassed diving as the top draw to Coron island in the last decade. With domestic tourism on the rise due to a rapidly growing middle class, Coron is one of the top destinations for Filipinos to add to their wish list, with Coron island containing some of the most iconic.
Kayangan Lake
Luluyuan "Barracuda" Lake
Twin Lagoon


Rdeysky Nature Reserve

Rdeysky Nature Reserve, Rdeysky Zapovednik () is a nature reserve (a "zapovednik") in the northwest of Russia, located in Poddorsky and Kholmsky Districts of Novgorod Oblast, in the Polist-Lovat Swamp System. The reserve is about 180 km southeast of the city of Pskov. It was established on May 25, 1994. The nature reserve is created to protect the raised bog ecosystems of the Northwestern Russia.
Location and geography.
The area of the reserve is elongated from southeast to northwest and is adjacent to the border between Novgorod and Pskov Oblasts. At the other side of the border, in Pskov Oblast, the nature reserve continues as Polistovsky Nature Reserve. Rdeysky Nature Reserve belongs to the river basins of the Lovat River and the Polist River, though none of them flows through the reserve. Lake Rdeyskoye, a major lake at the northwest of the reserve of which a part of the shore belongs to the reserve, is the source of the Redya River, a major left tributary of the Lovat River.
History.
There are currently no villages at the territory of the reserve; however, in the past it was populated, and the last village existed until World War II. The villages were located on islands in the middle of the swamp, and their inhabitants were collecting timber. Small-scale timber production was continuing after the war as well, but the area was too remote to support the settlements. No irrigation work has ever been performed in the area, and the raised bogs remain intact. In 1994, both Rdeysky and Polistovsky Nature Reserves were established to protect the area.
Ecoregion and climate.
The reserve is located in one of the most southerly locations of the "Scandinavian and Russian taiga" ecoregion. This ecoregion is situated in Northern Europe between tundra in the north and temperate mixed forests in the south. The climate is "Humid continental climate, warm summer" (Köppen climate classification (Dfb)). This climate is characterized by large swings in temperature, both diurnally and seasonally, with mild summers and cold, snowy winters
Flora.
The area mostly consists of raised bogs. Forest grows on the islands on the bog. The main types forest are coniferous forests based on spruce and broadleaf forest, based on oak and linden. Birch and aspen appeared as derivative forest from oak and linden. Around 400 species of plants grow in the reserve.
Fauna.
European mink is a critically endangered mammal species which is resident in the reserve. The reserve hosts the largest population of Eurasian curlew in Europe.


Bentler Nature Park

Bentler Nature Park () is a nature park located in Sarıyer district of Istanbul Province, Turkey. Bentler means "dams" in Turkish language.
Situated from Bahçeköy neighborhood of Sarıyer, it covers an area of . It was established in 2011, and is one of the nine nature parks inside the Belgrad Forest. The protected area is named after the historic dams, the Topuzlu Dam (Topuzlu Bendi, built 1750), Valide Dam (Valide Bendi, built 1796) and New Dam (Yeni Bent or II. Mahmud Bendi, built 1839), which are located north of the park area. There are other structures as the Iskara Bendi and historical fountains from the Ottoman Empire era. Bentler Nature Park has two entrances, the main entrance of Belgrad Forest and Kurtkemeri Gate.
The nature park offers outdoor recreation activities such as hiking, cycling and picnicing for visitors on daily basis. There are playgrounds for children. Admission is charged for visitors and vehicles.
Ecosystem.
The nature park is rich on flora and fauna.
Main tree species are oak ("Quercus petraea") and hornbeam ("Carpinus betulus"). A 269-year old plane tree ("Platanus") next to the Valide Dam was registered as a monument.
The park is habitat for diverse plant species. As coniferous tree Turkish pine ("Pinus brutia"), as deciduous trees oriental plane ("Platanus orientalis"), silver linden ("Tilia argentea"), European hornbeam ("Carpinus betulus"), oriental beech ("Fagus orientalis"), kasnak oak ("Quercus vulcanica"), Turkey oak ("Quercus cerris"), Aleppo oak ("Quercus infectoria"), European ash ("Fraxinus excelsior"), sweet chestnut ("Castanea sativa"), alder ("Alnus orientalis"), blackthorn ("Prunus spinosa"), medlar ("Mespilus germanica"), Turkish hazel ("Corylus colurna") are found in the park. Shrubs of the nature park are blackberry ("Rubus plicatus"), butcher's-broom ("Ruscus aculeatus") and buttercup ("Clematis").
The main fauna of the nature park consists of the mammals wild boar ("Sus scrofa"), fox ("Vulpes vulpes"), deer ("Cervidae"), roe deer ("Capreolus capreolus"), hare ("Lepus"), chipmunk, the reptile turtle. Observed bird species are hawk, sparrow, finch, mappie.


Playa Hermosa-Punta Mala Wildlife Refuge

Playa Hermosa-Punta Mala Wildlife Refuge ("Hermosa Beach-Mala Point Wildlife Refuge", ), is a protected area in Costa Rica, managed under the Central Pacific Conservation Area, it was created in 1998 by decree 27210-MINAE.


Cagdanao

Cagdanao is an island in the province of Palawan in the Philippines. The island is located east from the town of Taytay in northern Palawan and from El Nido Airport.
The island is surrounded with a coral reef, from shallow coral gardens to deep drop-offs on the north side. Cagdanao Island offers a variety of diving sites around the island. On the island, beaches frontage of with white sand and a of flat land that extends back to the edge of the hills. Hilly elevation with vegetation like palms, loamy and forest soil sandy.
Access to the island is mainly from Palawan, via a 40-minute sail with a speedboat. Cagdanao Island is a popular site for snorkeling and scuba diving in and around its coral reef. Damselfish ("Pomacentridae"), gobies ("Gobiidae") and wrasses ("Labridae") are the most abundant fish families.
A beach resort called Cagdanao Island Beach Resort is situated on the island.


National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa

The National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa (formerly the Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary) is a national marine sanctuary in American Samoa. It is the smallest, yet one of the most important, marine sanctuaries as it is home to more fish and marine mammals than any other marine sanctuary. It also provides a natural food source for sharks and other predators of the ocean.
Description.
The National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa comprises a fringing coral reef ecosystem nestled within an eroded volcanic crater on the island of Tutuila, American Samoa. This smallest and most remote of all the National Marine Sanctuaries is the only true tropical reef in the program. While it is one of the most protected and beautiful, it also bears the scars of some recent and severe natural disasters.
The Fagatele Bay portion of the sanctuary is completely contained in the of the bay. The land surrounding the bay resides in the hands of the families who have lived near the bay's slopes for thousands of years. Fortunately, there is little development in the watershed and the one reliable stream that empties near the beach runs clear and clean.
Fagatele Bay is a vibrant tropical reef marine ecosystem, filled with all sorts of brightly colored tropical fish, including parrot fish, damselfish and butterfly fish, as well as other sea creatures like lobster, crabs, sharks and octopus. From June to September, southern humpback whales migrate north from Antarctica to calve and court in Samoan waters. Visitors can hear courting males sing whale songs, which the whales may be using to attract mates. Several species of dolphin, as well as threatened and endangered species of sea turtles, such as the hawksbill and green sea turtle, are frequently seen swimming in the bay as well. Recreational activities such as diving, snorkeling, and fishing can be enjoyed at the sanctuary.
Fagatele Bay as a Marine Sanctuary.
Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary was designated in 1986 in response to a proposal from the American Samoa Government to the National Marine Sanctuary Program. The National Marine Sanctuary Program supports research in all of its 14 sites. Research plays a role in management by supplying information needed to make resource protection decisions based on hard scientific data. Fagatele Bay's most important research project spans over a decade. In the late 1970s, millions of Acanthaster planci or crown-of-thorns starfish (alamea), a coral-eating animal, ate their way through Tutuila's reefs. More than 90 percent of all the living corals were destroyed. At the time, Fagatele Bay was not a National Marine Sanctuary, but this disaster propelled the decision for the site's designation.
The National Marine Sanctuary Program protects and preserves nature and local culture. The program is found in areas of special significance such as the oceans and Great Lakes of the United States. There are 14 sanctuaries in the program ranging from Stellwagen Bank off Cape Cod to the Channel Islands in southern California. All manage their precious resources through a combination of education, research, long-term monitoring, regulation and enforcement.
Many different types of fish call this reef home, and many biologists and marine researchers attempt to cooperate with the local government in an effort to find new species within the local waters. Many new species have been found, but as it is a marine sanctuary, fish or other marine animals cannot be removed from the ecosystem. Scientists, headed up by Dr. Charles Birkenland, used the starfish's destruction as a focus of their long-term research: to follow the recovery of a coral reef. Because corals grow slowly, the research team chose a multi-year cycle of data collection. Beginning in 1985, and again in 1988, 1995, 1998, 2001 and 2004, the team amassed information on coral, fishes, invertebrates and marine plants. This database is unique for Samoa and the study is one of the few long-running surveys of its type in the world
Education.
The sanctuary sponsors education programs, such as the EnviroDiscoveries Camp, which is an outdoor activity and learning camp for 9- to 12-year-olds. Scientific programs include a continuing resource assessment survey, begun in 1985, and coral reef monitoring. Sanctuary regulations prohibit taking invertebrates and sea turtles, as well as historical artifacts. Only traditional fishing methods are permitted in the inner bay.
The sanctuary makes a special effort to work with the American Samoan community with outreach programs for all ages. The sanctuary co-sponsors a summer environmental education program for 9- to 12-year-old children. These programs explore the marine life in the bay, including ancient reef-dwellers and solar-powered clams, teaching ways to protect the resources there. Samoan cultural events and general community outreach/education programs are also run year-round.
The sanctuary also provides guided tours of the area, and allows any student to come on field-trips, for which they provide educational guides. They also emphasize the cultural aspects of the reefs and the wildlife, so as to combine traditional culture with the scientific knowledge students learn in school. The sanctuary also aids local education by organizing projects for the High Schoolers on the island, to further reinforce the necessity of the National Marine Sanctuary.
Big Momma.
Also known as Big Mama and Fale Bommie, Big Momma is the biggest known coral on Earth. It is located in the Valley of Giants in the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa. It is 21 feet tall, and its circumference is 134 feet. It is over 500 years old. Its scientific name is "Porites lobata".
Staff.
Nancy Daschbach is Fagatele Bay's on-site manager. Americorps volunteers assist the outreach program. Staff members are American Samoa Government employees based in Pago Pago, American Samoa and operate through a cooperative agreement between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and American Samoa's Economic and Development Planning Office, as well as the National Marine Sanctuary Association (NMSA). The volunteers typically work for 3 months and then take the rest of the time off, but a volunteer can work enough to become a paid worker for the NMSA or even take a Manager position at another Marine Sanctuary.


Riserva Naturale Pian di Spagna e Lago di Mezzola

The Riserva Naturale Pian di Spagna e Lago di Mezzola is a nature reserve in Lombardy, Italy. The reserve consists of the Lago di Mezzola and the wetland area which separates it from Lake Como, the Pian di Spagna. It includes parts of the comuni of Sorico and Gera Lario in the province of Como, and of the comuni of Dubino, Verceia and Novate Mezzola in the province of Sondrio. It was established by Deliberazione del Consiglio Regionale III/1913, dated 6 February 1985, and has the EUAP reference code EUAP0326.


The Summit (Reno, Nevada)

The Summit Reno is an upscale lifestyle center located in Reno, Nevada. The center opened in 2007 and it is owned by Birmingham, Alabama-based Bayer Properties.


Oldhead Wood

Oldhead Wood is a national nature reserve of approximately located on Clew Bay, near Louisburgh, County Mayo, Ireland. It is managed by the Irish National Parks & Wildlife Service, part of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
Features.
Oldhead Wood was legally protected as a national nature reserve by the Irish government in 1984. It is also a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive.
The name Oldhead or Old Head also refers to the townland in which the nature reserve is located. The woodlands consist of deciduous trees which have been used and changed by human usage. Its position on Clew Bay gives the area a humid climate, with diverse bryophyte flora. It is a semi-natural woodland with the most prominent tree species being oak, with some willow, birch and rowan. There is also some beech and sycamore that were introduced.


Camp Mack

Camp Mack is a fishing lodge, RV resort campground and recreation event venue in the historic town of Lake Wales, Florida situated on the Kissimmee River, in the heart of the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. In March, 2018 the lodge was rebranded Camp Mack, a Guy Harvey Lodge, Marina and RV Resort, affiliating itself with Guy Harvey Outpost Collection, the lodging arm of the noted marine scientist, artist, and conservation advocate Dr. Guy Harvey. The camp’s “old Florida” riverfront setting offers bass fishing enthusiasts access to Lake Kissimmee, Hatchineha, Cypress and Tohopekaliga and is host of numerous bass fishing tournaments. A variety of sporting and musical events use the riverfront setting as a backdrop, including Rockin’ on the River, an annual country music festival supporting autism. The Kissimmee River watershed comprises 3,000 square miles, supporting a diverse community of waterfowl, wading birds and other wildlife, in addition to its national reputation for holding trophy size largemouth bass. Camp Mack has been a 'fish camp' for well over 100 years [2] and on a geological map from 1836, this area was described as Tyson's Camp.[3] In the 1980s RV sites were added[4] and in 2006, the camp expanded to 225 RV sites and cabins and a 40 unit lodge was opened. The riverfront setting includes 85 boat slips, a major boat ramp and a general store standing for over 80 years. Other camp amenities include a guest clubhouse, swimming pool and a variety of food and beverage options. Adjoining Camp Mack is Lake Kissimmee State Park with over 13 miles of hiking/biking trails, 6 miles of equestrian trails and a destination along the Great Florida Birding & Wildlife trail.
Camp Mack has been featured on television shows related to fishing including on ESPN during the 2005 Bassmasters Citgo Southern Open and on Sweetwater Fishing TV. The Bellamy Brothers filmed their Catahoula music video at Camp Mack and on Lake Kissimmee in 1997. The Lighthouse movie starring Danny Glover, directed by Martin Glover was filmed at Camp Mack's River Resort in 2012. Other notable recent events held at Camp Mack include the live broadcast of Trophy Takers Outdoor radio show hosted by Lee Cepero and the 5th annual Bobby Lane Cup, a youth fishing tournament held by Major League Fishing Pro Bobby Lane.
History.
Camp Mack occupies a high bluff along an oxbow of the Kissimmee River at the eastern edge of Polk County, an area described as Tyson's Camp on an 1836 geological map. A pair of wealthy executives with the Coca-Cola Company – Leon Grady (L.G) Bruce and the man known as "Mr. Mack" — acquired the land in the early 20th century and created a private retreat for company employees from Tampa. L.G's wife Josie Bruce worked in the general store for many years.
Leon Denton and the Denton family (wife Gladys and sons Jackie and Ronnie) of Lake Wales acquired Camp Mack in the 1940s and operated it as a fishing camp until 1983. Leon Denton and his family hosted many individuals at Camp Mack over the years including Billy Graham, Cowboy Luttrell, Jack Dempsey, Gen. James A. Van Fleet, Bob Woodruff, Ray Graves, Charley Pell, and Ben Hill Griffin, Jr.. The airboat company, Alligator Cove Airboat Nature Tours, owned by Andy Denton, the son of Jackie, is headquartered at Camp Mack.
In 1983, Pate Snively bought the resort. Snively, whose grandfather settled in Winter Haven in 1900, added an RV park and a campground before selling the resort in 1999
In 1999, Billy Farris, (Far-Ed Corp.,) purchased the resort from Pate Snively and they significantly expanded the facilities in 2006 with the addition of 65 RV sites, a 40 unit motel and an indoor storage facility.
In 2015, a closely held family company, managed and owned by Michael Daugherty, purchased the resort from Far Ed, (now Ed-Far) Billy Farris.
Camp Mack gets many visitors from the United Kingdom, Europe and Canada who come to see the theme parks, then come to Camp Mack to see natural Florida.
Fishing Tournaments, Airboat events, professional fishermen.
Camp Mack hosts fishing tournaments or airboating events nearly every weekend. Some of the larger tournaments in the past have been the Bassmaster Citgo Southern Open in 2005. In 2009 and 2010, Camp Mack was the host to 3 Walmart Bass Fishing League events (affiliated with Fishing League Worldwide). Many professional fishermen come to fish at Camp Mack including MLF professionals Bobby and Chris Lane. The Lakeland Junior Bassmasters have many tournaments there hosted by Martin Bozeman, President, and they had their year-end awards banquet there in December 2015. The Kissimmee River Valley Sportsman's Association (KRVSA) has their annual Lake Clean Up at Camp Mack where the airboaters remove garbage from the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. KRVSA has been awarded the Florida Wildlife Federation's Conservation Organization of the year three times. The KRVSA Freedom Ride has also stopped at Camp Mack.
Lake Kissimmee and Camp Mack.
Lake Kissimmee is a 34,948-acre lake between Lake Wales and Yeehaw Junction in central Florida. In 1996, the Florida Wildlife Commission revitalized 24 miles of shoreline, resulting in increased numbers of largemouth bass in the lake. According to The World Fishing Network, Lake Kissimmee has double the average catch rate for Bass in the state and has very consistent bass production. With the State of Florida's new Trophy Catch program (started in 2013), many anglers have caught and released bass larger than 8 pounds on Lake Kissimmee and have received $100 after doing so. In the Florida Sportsman magazine article "on Trophy Waters" (February 2015), it highlighted Van Soles of Haines City as the first Florida angler to have a tournament catch accepted into the Trophy Catch Hall of Fame with a greater than 13 lb catch. The tournament was launched at Camp Mack and the fish was officially weighed and released also at Camp Mack's River Resort. The weight was 13 lb 2 ounces and it was caught on December 20, 2013.
Lake Kissimmee consistently ranks as one of the best bass fishing lakes in the US. Lake Kissimmee is the #1 bass lake in Florida according to Florida Sportsman magazine in 2018. Fishhound ranked Lake Kissimmee as #24 in its Top 100 Bass Waters in the US. In 2012, the World Fishing Network listed the Top 10 Bass Fishing Lakes in Florida and Lake Kissimmee was listed there. Lake Kissimmee is considered one of the top crappie lakes in Florida according to Florida Sportsman from the magazine in 2012.
The Kissimmee Chain of Lakes is also known for hunting. Duck hunting, deer hunting and wild hog hunting are all very popular and many hunting excursions are launched out of Camp Mack. According to Polkcountyoutdoors.com journalist, Ian Nance, "the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes region has long been a sportsman's dream".
Camp Mack has also been written about in various publications. It was ranked the 5th best Fish Camp in Florida by the website: Onlyinyourstate.com. In Florida Travel + Life's 6th annual 52 Amazing Weekends, Camp Mack was one of the 52 weekends classified in the Time out with the Boys: Hall Pass (Mancation) section. On travelchannel.com, Camp Mack was listed as "one of the fun things to do in Winter Haven". In an article about alligators, Trailer Life's journalist Bill Graves, describe this part of Lake Wales along the Kissimmee River and Camp Mack's River Resort as "America's Outback".
Charity events and fishing tournaments.
Numerous charity fishing and airboating events are held at Camp Mack. Below are some recent events.
The 2nd annual Rockin' on the River charity event was held at Camp Mack's River Resort on February 28, 2016 and approximately 3,000 people were there on Saturday. The charity event was started by John Straughn and the net proceeds go to the Children's Academy of Lake Wales and SideStreet Art Beat, Inc., both 501 (c)(3) not for profit organizations.
Bassmaster Elite Series pro fisherman Bobby Lane held the 5th annual Bobby Lane Cup at Camp Mack on December 3, 2015. "This is something I started in 2011," Bobby Lane said, "and it's one of the things I'm most proud of in my career. The tournament is one of the ways I try to give back to the sport of bass fishing and to our youth." There is no entry fee and the top fishermen or women are awarded scholarships.
Nearby and more history.
The Lake Kissimmee State Park, containing 5,930 acres of land, is located near the end of Camp Mack Road across from the Camp Mack property. The State Park has frontage on the Kissimmee River with over 13 miles of hiking/biking trails and 6 miles of equestrian trails. The Lake Kissimmee State Park is also on the Great Florida Birding & Wildlife trail.
Camp Mack is on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Personal Water Craft (PWC) Trail. The Kissimmee Chain of Lakes trail is 126 miles long according to the website pwctrailfinder.com.
According to the Lake Kissimmee State Park Website, during the Civil War the area was used for raising cattle that were shipped to the Confederate Army or traded with Cuba for supplies. After the war, cattle became the main industry and this continues to the present day. In 1969, the state of Florida purchased 5,030 acres of land from the William Zipperer estate for use as a state park. Lake Kissimmee State Park was opened to the public in August 1977. An additional 900 acres was purchased in 1997 and added to the park's western boundary.
Right near Camp Mack and Lake Kissimmee State Park on the banks of the Kissimmee River was Fort Gardiner. Fort Gardiner was established December 2, 1837 by Colonel Zachary Taylor on his march to the Battle of Okeechobee and was named for Captain George Washington Gardiner who died in the Dade Massacre in 1835 fighting the Seminole tribe. Myrtle Hilliard Crow writes in Old Tales and Trails of Florida that "troops marching from Fort Brooke at Tampa Bay traveled east until they reached the Kissimmee River. On the east side of the river between lakes Hatchineha and Kissimmee, they chopped down pines for a crude log stockade they named Fort Gardiner." Steamboats stopped right near Camp Mack and old Fort Gardiner in the late 1800 and early 1900 according to the book, "When Steamboats reigned in Florida" by Bob Bass. In a video by the Polk County, Florida government, the Lillie and Naoman steamboats were pictured in the oxbow of the Kissimmee River near Camp Mack. These two steamboats were also referenced in the book "When Steamboats reigned in Florida" as boats that were on the Kissimmee River.


Caletas-Ario Mixed Wildlife Refuge

Caletas-Ario Mixed Wildlife Refuge (), is a protected area in Costa Rica, managed under the Tempisque Conservation Area, it was created in 2006 by decree 33232-MINAE.


Knockomagh Wood

Knockomagh Wood is a national nature reserve of approximately located in County Cork, Ireland. It is managed by the Irish National Parks & Wildlife Service.
Features.
Knockomagh Wood was legally protected as a national nature reserve by the Irish government in 1989.
The wood is a small area of sessile oak and mixed broadleaf trees. There are a number of walks in the area, around Lough Hyne and up Knockomagh Hill. Coillte own and manage the conifer trees above Knockomagh Wood on the slopes of the Hill.
The area was damaged during 2017 Storm Ophelia, which led to the wood being closed for a period of time.


Algodoal-Maiandeua Environmental Protection Area

The Algodoal-Maiandeua Environmental Protection Area () is an environmental protection area in the state of Pará, Brazil. It protects two coastal islands with beaches, dunes, mangroves and wetlands that are home to fishing people and are popular with tourists.
Location.
The Algodoal-Maiandeua Environmental Protection Area is in the municipality of Maracanã, Pará.
It is on the northeast coast of Pará in the Salgado microregion.
The Atlantic Ocean is to the north and the Mocooca channel to the south.
The Maracanã River estuary is to the east and the Marapanim River estuary to the west.
The APA is bounded to the south by the Maracanã Marine Extractive Reserve.
The Mestre Lucindo Marine Extractive Reserve is opposite the APA to the west.
The APA has an area of about and consists of two islands separated by an intermittent tidal channel called the "Furo Velho".
Algodoal Island has and contains Algodoal village, Princesa Beach, Farol Beach and areas of mangroves, restingas and dunes.
The island and the largest village are named "Algodoal" after a native plant, the "algodão de seda".
Maiandeua island has and holds the villages of Fortalezinha, Mocooca and Camboinha, the localities of Camaleão, Passagem and Pedra Chorona, and beaches, mangroves and terra firme areas with vegetation.
The villages are separated by areas of mangroves and tidal channels.
The village of Algodoal can be reached by boat from the port of Marudá, a journey of about 40 minutes depending on the tide.
A boat from the municipality of Maracanã can cross the Mocooca channel to the village of Mocooca in 5 minutes.
History.
Fishermen from whom the present inhabitants are descended seem to have first moved to the island of Algodoal in the 1920s.
The Algodoal-Maiandeua Environmental Protection Area was created by law 5.621 of 27 November 1990, covering the islands of Algodoal with and Maiandeua with , making a total of .
The management council was created by decree 291 of 6 June 2006.
On 1 June 2007 regulations were passed that prohibited use of motor vehicles in the APA.
Preparation of a management plan was approved on 21 September 2011.
The management plan was published on 31 December 2012, although it was not made official through an ordinance.
Environment.
The APA is in the Amazon biome.
The climate is hot and humid, with average annual temperature of , and average monthly temperatures ranging from .
There is most rain from January to March, and a dry season from September to December.
The island has beaches, mangroves, freshwater lakes, dunes and streams.
Vegetation is typical of restinga, with great variety of species.
The mangroves act as nurseries for fish, mussels, shrimps, oysters, turtles, crabs and other marine species.
In the dunes and surroundings there are typical fruits such as ajuru, cashew, coconut, murucí, carambola and mango.
Common bird species include guará, garça, pavão, socó, taquerê, gavião caranguejeiro, caracaraí, cebinho do mangue, matirão, colhereira, marreco, papagaio, batuíra de colheira, maçarico branco, pirão gordo and vira-pedra.
Common fish include pescada amarela, xaréu, tainha, anchova, corvina, gó, cação, mero, gurijuba, dourada, pratiqueira, serra and robalo.
Molluscs and crustaceans include oysters, mussels, turu, sururu, shrimp and crabs.
Other fauna include sloths, quatis, anteaters, foxes, gatos maracajá, chameleons, mucuras, various species of monkey, racoons, alligators, jabutis and tartarugas.
Tourism.
The island receives large numbers of tourists, including Brazilian and foreign visitors, who stay in inns and hotels.
The residents organize tours and fishing trips.
The APA has high tourism potential due to its scenic beauty and variety of ecosystems, beaches, dunes, cliffs, mangroves and trails linking the villages. They villagers sell local handicrafts produced from the regional flora, and practice traditional ways of making cassava flour, music, the carimbó praiano dance, local cooking and artisanal fishing.