Our region would be incredibly different for hiking if only the top twenty feet of topsoil were removed - sorry farmers.  Large underground limestone formations abound.  But these formations rise to the surface in only a few locations.  The Lake Erie Islands immediately come to mind.  In Monroe, residents can see this limestone at the John Dingell underpass near I-75 on Dixie Highway.

Steve Pollick of the Toledo Blade reports that the Sandusky County Park District in Ohio has purchased a 360-acre hunting preserve for use as a natural area and public hunting ground.  Pollick notes that the land includes limestone barrens that harbor several rare plant species.  Excerpt and link:

The Ringneck Ridge Hunt Club, a 60-year-old, 360-shooting preserve near Gibsonburg in western Sandusky County, has been acquired by the Sandusky County Park District for both nature watchers and public hunting.

As for non-hunting uses, Gruner said botanical surprises are expected to be found, especially in such areas of the property as limestone barrens, where rock outcroppings come to the surface. A botanist conducting a preliminary plant survey found more than 150 species, including several rare species and plant communities.

Full story:

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081216/COLUMNIST22/812160390/-1/RSS06

Here is a link to the pre-purchase realty listing of the property.  The map that opened this blog post comes from this listing:

http://www.loopnet.com/property/15712091/1818-County-Road-74/

Here is a Google Maps link to the location:

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&client=dell-usuk&channel=us&ad=w5&adsafe=high&safe=high&ie=UTF8&ll=41.391588,-83.27847&spn=0.019478,0.045319&t=h&z=15

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