Elias M. and Therese Erb Poston
Nature Preserve
(Athens Conservancy)
The Elias M. and Therese Erb Poston Nature Preserve South is a 22-acre (8.9-hectare) tract that is the southern remnant of a much larger tract once owned by the Poston heirs. It is named for the parents of the Poston heirs. It is the southern tip of one of the former river tracts, originally laid out from the Ohio Company purchase of the area. It is surrounded on the west, south and east by the Wayne National Forest.

The tract has no road frontage but can easily be reached from Glen Ebon Road, County Road 4, where it crosses the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway. There is parking there; walk a short distance from the road towards Athens, and you’re within the preserve, which spans the bikeway to include a section of the Hocking River.

The Poston Preserve was acquired via a Clean Ohio Green Space grant in 2015. Along with the Bluebell Preserve, which lies a short distance to the east, it helps to preserve the beautiful scenery along the bikeway, including the excellent spring wildflower display.

As can be seen in the photograph, the preserve features a beautiful rock feature close to the bikeway that is clearly visible to passersby. This property has long been accessed by college classes studying nature, and the acquisition of it by the Athens Conservancy will assure its continued presence for years to come.

The Athens Conservancy plans to acquire another similarly-sized section of the Poston property, to the north and west, also along the bike path.

To get to the Poston Preserve South from Athens, take US-33 west 5.6 miles from the Columbus Road/OH-550 exit. Turn left on Glen Ebon Road, County Road 4, and go a half-mile. Parking is to the left just after crossing the bridge over the Hocking River.

After parking, walk on the bikeway southeast (towards Athens, or to your left when crossing the bridge on Glen Ebon Road). At about 280 feet from the road, the preserve begins, and is on both sides of the bikeway. It extends about 900 more feet east.