The geological effects of millions of years are shown in the faces of Niobrara chalk outcroppings in Logan County known as Little Jerusalem. The soft limestone was formed some 80 million years ago when Kansas was part of an inland sea that stretched from what now is the Gulf of Mexico north to Alaska. At Little Jerusalem the ground is covered by what looks to be soft rock but actually is fossilized seashells, mostly clams and oysters. The site is closed to the public today but the owner, The Nature Conservancy, is working on a plan to open it to visitors. A key component of that plan is how to protect the fragile site. One challenge: conventional hiking trails would surely contribute to erosion. The conservancy also owns the adjacent Smoky Valley Ranch, which includes hiking trails that are open to the public.