When you think of a "sand barren," perhaps the Oak Openings in the Toledo area comes to mind. But many people are unaware of the sand barren habitat east of Cleveland along the fossil dune ridges that parallel Lake Erie. The Museum protects an area of this habitat in Ashtabula County: the North Kingsville Sand Barrens. This preserve harbors plants that are specific to this particular ecosystem, including the lupine, which should be in full bloom at the time of the hike.