Land Acquisitions

Athens Conservancy has acquired most of its land by direct purchase from landowners, using Clean Ohio Green Space Fund grants. It also has received land through direct purchase,, and has contributed to the efforts of other organizations and state agencies to purchase land directly.

Other options exist:

Lifetime Tenancy

An interesting variation on direct purchase is a lifetime tenancy. In this option, Athens Conservancy purchases the land, with the current resident (or a designated resident) to be able to occupy a dwelling there for the rest of their lives or until they voluntarily relinquish it. This enables the conservancy to obtain a better price on property, and protect it now rather than risk losing the opportunity in the future.

Conservation Buyers

These buyers are people who acquire land in order to hold it until Athens Conservancy has obtained grant funding to purchase it. We have used this method to acquire the Blair Preserve and smaller parcels of land.

Bargain Sale

Important lands can be sold to Athens Conservancy at a bargain price, allowing for the seller to realize some income while helping to conserve the property.