News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 4, 2003

STATE INCOME TAX CHECK-OFF FUNDS HELPING TO PROTECT
OHIO'S LARGEST NATURAL ROCK BRIDGE

COLUMBUS, OH -- Ohioans are helping protect one of the state's most unique natural features by contributing to the natural areas income tax check-off fund, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

Rockbridge State Nature Preserve in Hocking County is home to Ohio’s largest natural rock bridge. Last year, check-off money enabled ODNR to add another 21 acres to the preserve as a protective buffer. The acquisition brings to 202 the number of acres protected in the preserve, including about a mile of riverbank along the Hocking River. The preserve is also home to a variety of native Ohio wildflowers and trees.

“The tax check-off program gives Ohioans an opportunity to positively impact Ohio's nature preserves, scenic rivers and endangered species by contributing a portion of their state income tax refund to this important initiative,” said Sam Speck, ODNR director.

Visitors to Rockbridge State Nature Preserve can hike the 1.7-mile Rockbridge Trail, which leads to the 100-foot-long bridge span, arching 50 feet above a rocky ravine. Along the way, visitors can take in a view of a ridgeline, which overlooks both the ancient Teays River system and the Hocking River basin. Adventurous hikers can also take the one-mile Rock Shelter Loop.

A variety of wildflowers are found along each trail in the spring. Potentially-threatened Green Adder's-mouth, as well as pink lady's slipper, goldenseal, bloodroot, Solomon's seal and wild ginger, are among the notable species found in the preserve.

A popular destination since the 1840s, Rockbridge is one of the state's oldest nature preserves. The original 49-acre tract, dedicated in 1978, increased to 99 acres in 1990 when ODNR used check-off money to buy adjoining property. A 1998 dedication by a neighboring landowner increased the preserve's size to 181 acres.

More than 10,000 people visit Rockbridge State Nature Preserve each year to enjoy the splendor of its Black Hand sandstone formations and its abundance of unusual plant species.

The preserve is open dawn to dusk each day. From the Village of Rockbridge, take U.S. 33 southeast to Crawford-Starner Road (Township Road 504). Turn east on Dalton Road (Township Road 503) and go to the dead end where there's a parking lot and trail head.