The 71-acre Lindy Roosenburg Preserve is entirely forested except for a small field bordering the parking area, which was recently planted with American chestnut seedlings. Forest age ranges from about 40 years to an estimated 120+ years. Two non-contiguous stands that total approximately 18 acres qualify as old-growth and include many trees with trunks 30-36” in diameter. The old-growth stands feature scattered blowdowns in varying states of decay, pit and mound topography, and no signs of human disturbance other than foot paths and remnants of boundary fencing.
Lindy’s Preserve is the Conservancy’s newest preserve, created in 2022 in memory of Selinde Roosenburg, and purchased in large part thanks to a fund established by Lindy’s parents, Kate Kelley and Willem Roosenburg.
The forest includes 1.5 miles of hiking trails and lacks non-native plants in most areas, due in large part to the attentive care of the previous owner, Claudia Sheehan.
We want to recognize that this forest and the lands in this region are the ancestral territory of many indigenous peoples.
“We are delighted and honored that this precious place – already cherished by many – is now recognized by the national Old-Growth Forest Network,” said Donna Goodman, President of the Board of Athens Conservancy. “Open since April, Lindy’s Preserve is the result of so many in our community who helped acquire and steward the land, and identify and nominate its old-growth areas. We are thrilled to join this important national network of native forests.”
Kate Kelley added, “Our daughter Lindy was a forestry major who aspired to improve and protect the woodlands of Appalachia. While she cannot have the impact she anticipated, we do so in her memory. We believe she would have been enthusiastic about the Athens Conservancy’s newest preserve holding old-growth habitat for generations to come. We are honored to be part of this distinction.”
The Lindy Roosenburg Preserve joins 29 Ohio forests already in the Network.
Brian Kane noted, “Ohio has remarkable diversity of old-growth forests, due to its wide-ranging topography and geology. The care of the Athens Conservancy to nominate the Lindy Roosenburg Preserve ensures that this forest remains intact and protected for generations to come. The Conservancy’s initiative is remarkable and serves as an inspiring example to combat climate change by protecting mature and old-growth forests.”
Kane added, “We could not grow the old-growth network without the efforts of our volunteer county coordinators, who help us to identify old-growth forest in their home counties. We are particularly grateful to Phil Cantino who has worked tirelessly to identify this fine Athens County forest.”
Athens Conservancy protects about 3,000 acres of mostly forested land in the spectacular Appalachian foothills of southeastern Ohio, with nearly 2,000 acres open to the public. The nonprofit land trust maintains 10 miles of foot trails for hiking, bird-watching, and exploring, attracting visitors and boosting the local economy. Its 14 nature preserves and 11 conservation easements are nearly all in Athens County. For more, see https://www.athensconservancy.org/
The Old-Growth Forest Network (OGFN) connects people with nature by creating a national network of protected, mature, publicly accessible, native forests. OGFN intends to preserve at least one forest in every county in the U.S. that can sustain a forest. OGFN identifies forests for the Network, ensures their protection from logging, and informs people of the forest locations.
Founded in 2012 by Dr. Joan Maloof, the network currently has 220 forests in the Network across 34 states. OGFN recognizes exceptional forest advocates, educates about the ecological benefits of old-growth forests, and speaks out regarding immediate threats to specific ancient forests. Learn more at http://www.oldgrowthforest.net.
Press coverage:
Athens Messenger
WTAP News
Ohio Statehouse News Bureau
Columbus Navigator