Ohio eyes 118-acre expansion to protect rare Kinnikinnick Fen wetland preserve

Ross County officials are backing a proposal to acquire 118 acres of land to strengthen protection around Kinnikinnick Fen and Herron Downs, a rare wetland area in Ohio. If approved, the acquisition would grow the existing preserve to approximately 450 acres. The effort is expected to be funded through Ohio's Clean Ohio conservation program. In a notable gesture, the current property owners have offered to donate their home and surrounding land as part of the deal. The project's broader goal is to establish a larger, contiguous protected habitat in the region.