Help us build 4 miles of new trails!
Goal: $4,000
The forests in our preserves are tranquil spaces where a soft understory of ferns and mosses is sheltered by canopies of tall oaks, beeches, and tulip poplars. High ridges and impressive rock outcroppings are contrasted with cool streambeds and carpets of colorful wildflowers.
A month-long April Trail-Building Campaign aims to raise $4,000 to build 4 miles of new trails! DONATE today and your dollars will turn into hiking trails that meander through the forests, giving you new spaces to explore.
Athens Conservancy currently has more than 12 miles of foot trails that lead visitors through these magical woodlands … and we are ready to extend them! Our work crews plan to add 4 miles of new trails, expanding and connecting the existing network and opening new paths to explore. These include:
New shady understory trail at Lindy Roosenburg Preserve
Lindy’s Preserve is a 71-acre peaceful forest and one of our most popular preserves, with grand old oaks and bountiful spring wildflowers. The current trail system forms a 1.5-mile loop that ascends through the oak, beech, and hickory forest to a scenic ridgetop. The new trail will lead hikers through a different type of woodland on the north slope of the ridge, with a cool, dewy atmosphere and lush understory under a canopy of towering tulip poplars. The trail will link with existing trails and provide a brand-new loop to explore.
New entry trail and extension of Grand Oaks Trail at Winner Woods Nature Preserve
A new entrance trail will provide a more practical and scenic gateway into the 106-acre preserve from the parking area, eliminating the need to walk on a narrow, eroding path along a cemetery fence. Building the new path will boost accessibility for visitors of all ages, allowing them to more safely enter the majestic and peaceful forest.
A more-extensive construction project will lengthen the Grand Oaks Trail that’s framed by impressive white oaks at the entrance and continues for almost a mile along a ridge. The new section will convert the trail from a “there-and-back” hike to a scenic loop, winding gradually downhill to a tranquil stream, where native wildflowers can be spotted in the spring.
New Woodlands Trail at Joy Valley Nature Preserve
The new Joy Valley Nature Preserve was established in 2025, the result of an extraordinary donation from private landowner Betty Lowe. Athens Conservancy and The Nature Conservancy worked together to conserve nearly 3,000 acres of forested land in the southern Ohio foothills of the globally significant Appalachian Mountains. The remarkable parcel of land is abundant in natural beauty, rugged history, and environmental treasures.
The new Woodlands Trail is a 2-mile loop trail that winds through a peaceful pine forest to a lush deciduous forest of towering white oak, beech, tulip poplar, and hickory trees. The trail climbs up a steep ridge past imposing rock outcroppings and vernal pools to a high clearing offering impressive views of the valley below.
Consider a gift today! The campaign runs throughout April. Donations during the month will support the Spring Trail-Building Campaign, and will help fund the hard work of our trail construction and maintenance crews, and arm them with needed tools, such as loppers, chainsaws, Pulaskis, and protective work gloves and goggles.
All donors to this special campaign will be recognized in a future newsletter as Trailblazers!
Give today! Simply go to our Donate page. If you prefer, you can mail a check to Athens Conservancy, PO Box 2281, Athens OH 45701. Unless specified, all donations during the month of April will go to the Trail Building Campaign.
