A key objective of Athens Conservancy is to preserve wild and scenic places, conserving lands that are valued by the community and connecting people with nature. Equally important is taking good care of the land over time – what we call stewardship.
Board member Joe Brehm, in a recent presentation to community members, explained the importance of stewardship: “As recently as 50 years ago, you could take a property, even one in bad shape, and simply let the trees grow. The land would recover well. Today, however, is a d
ifferent story. There are so many pernicious invasive species — like garlic mustard, stilt grass, and tree of heaven — that it is not enough to simply let things grow.”
We also must effectively and continually manage the land to keep it healthy, by tending the forests, clearing trails, pulling invasives, and nurturing native plants and wildlife.
Athens Conservancy is seeking funding for a stewardship coordinator who can focus on caring for the land we have worked so hard to protect.
You can help in these efforts by giving to our new Healthy Forest Fund; simply go to our Donate page for information. Specify Healthy Forest Fund on your gift, and your dollars will help keep our forests and trails healthy and accessible.