The day began at 7:00 AM with our great mode of travel, a motor coach from Buckeye Bus Company in Lima, leaving the Benjamin Logan School campus and heading to Flint Ridge State Memorial near Newark Ohio.  This was the 4th Annual Logan County Land Trust Summer Tour! 

The Naturalist from Flint Ridge shared with our group the history of the “Flint Quarry Pit ”and how this hard colorful stone was so important to the early Native Americans. Flint was used in many ways; spear points, knives, arrow points, scrapers and much more were made from flint. These tools then traveled all across North America, and many times other materials such as copper and mica were brought back to Ohio in trade. A tremendous amount of cultural history was shared at this stop.  

Next, the group of 33 Logan Countians traveled to the 10,000 acre site in Muskingum County called  “The Wilds.”  Here the group was transported around the facility learning how strip mined land has been restored and is now home to many animals that are endangered or extinct in the wild. Species of deer from Asia, Asian and African rhinoceroses, the African painted dog, cheetahs, giraffes and other large mammals were roaming the terrain. The group traveled the grounds in an open sided bus so everyone felt they were as close as safely possible to the wildlife.  

Our last point of interest was Hocking County and Old Man’s Cave in Hocking Hills State Park.  Here the rain held the group back a short time but we were able to stay dry under the cave awnings of huge rock outcrops.  A naturalist from the park shared many stories of the natural and human history of the area, pointing out the many different geological  features, flora and fauna of the area. This was a brief glimpse of a region much different from Logan County, and hopefully the visit will whet the appetite of many to return and learn more. Perhaps some of the younger tour participants will find a future in the natural resources field.  

This annual bus trip is sponsored by the Logan County Land Trust with the generous support of the Milroy Foundation. The Logan County Land Trust is focused on preserving natural resources and providing experiences and learning opportunities to the public to make wiser land management decisions possible.  

Bruce Smith, Catherine Carter, Bob Stoll – Logan County Land Trust