The North Kingsville Sand Barrens is the only high-quality fossil dune ridge that has been preserved within northeastern Ohio. The 174-acre property supports three endangered plants, several rare invertebrates and a fine population of native lupine. It is one of three sites in Ohio for the state-endangered bead lily, the only site in Ohio for the endangered moss bug-on-a-stick and the only known Ohio nesting site for the white-throated sparrow. North Kingsville Sand Barrens is one of three Museum natural areas open to the public.
Directions
Take I-90 to the Route 193 exit. Follow Route 193 north to US Route 20 east. Take US Route 20 east to Poore Road. Travel north on Poore Road to the Conrail tracks. The preserve is on the west side of Poore Road just north of the railroad tracks. There is a sign located at the entrance.
History
In 1986, a routine inventory by the Museum botany department of Ashtabula County sand barrens revealed several rare plants on private property. Successive trips to the property documented the tract as one of the most significant sand barrens in northeastern Ohio. in December 1990, the tract was transferred to the Museum.
In 1993, Museum trustee William C. McCoy donated an additional 50 acres just west of the original tract. In 1996, a two-acre frontage lot on Poore Road was purchased; and in 1998, Mr. Ron Kister donated an eight-acre addition to the Barrens. In 2006, the Museum's Natural Areas Division was awared a Clean Ohio grant in the amount of $255,000, which was used to purchase the 12-acre Wing tract, as well as the 42-acre Rutter parcel.