News

Athens Conservancy keeps growing, and adding to the beautiful, natural spaces protected in and around Athens county. Our two newest preserves, the neighborhood Peach Preserve and the forested Deep Hollow – Dark Skies Preserve, add about 114 acres to our public lands. Nestled in Athens’ Northpoint neighborhood, Peach Preserve consists of a wooded 3.7 acres,…

Love nature? We welcome new members – like you! – to help Athens Conservancy preserve and nurture special spaces for people to explore and enjoy. It’s easy to join us – just click our donate tab for details! Your membership and donations help protect lands in Athens County and surrounding areas, where our preserves and…

Athens Conservancy wants to showcase an original work of nature-related art from a talented artist from Appalachian Ohio. Deadline to apply is July 9. We are looking for an “emerging artist” (ie an artist early in their career) from Ohio’s Appalachian region for our Spectacular Appalachia branded item. Funded by a grant from Ohio’s Winding…

Athens Conservancy is the recipient of two recent grants that will fund efforts to celebrate Appalachian Ohio and connect individuals with the benefits of time spent in nature. Athens Conservancy has received a $4,420 grant from the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio’s Cause Connector. These funds will support the Conservancy’s “Keep Finding Your Way Outdoors” project,…

A memorial gathering for John Knouse is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday, June 26, at Strouds Run State Park, according to his daughter, Vivian (Rachel) Knouse. John, who died in January, was a driving force for local land protection and recreational trails. His foresight and dedication were responsible for many local resources enjoyed by Athens…

If you’re out enjoying a walk in the woods around Athens, you may be lucky enough to see a sprightly yellow-feathered visitor! Each spring, small Prothonotary warblers (PROWs for short) arrive in our woods to nest. We talked with Athens Conservancy board member Joe Brehm to find out more about the birds … and how…

Holland has its tulip fields, but there are few places anywhere that offer as much floral splendor as Athens Conservancy’s Bluebell Preserve in mid-April. Located along the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway, the forest floor is a sea of Virginia bluebells, great white trilliums, blue-eyed Mary, and many other native wildflowers. The superb display is easily viewed…

Ever wonder who’s at the helm of Athens Conservancy? As part of our website refresh, we’ve added a Board & Staff page. It spotlights our 14 board members and two staffers so you can get to know us a little bit! The Conservancy elects board members to serve two-year terms, which may be extended. Board…

Work on the John Knouse Trail continues, and we’d like to say a big thank-you for the generosity of our friends who have donated to this cause. The trail is being built in honor of John, whose death in January has left a big void in our Conservancy family. Athens Conservancy and Buckeye Trail Association…

Spring is popping up all over, from spring peepers and songbirds to bluebells and buds on trees. Unfortunately, the season also means the return of scores of non-native invasive plants that invade our woodlands and crowd out native species. Combating these “super weeds” is key to keeping our wildlands close to their natural states and…

The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio has two current opportunities for giving in support of Athens Conservancy. One is a match opportunity for restricted endowment funds — a 2 to 1 match (50 cents for every dollar given), with $1 million available from the State of Ohio. Funds are available on a first-come basis. Donors may give to…

Athens Conservancy is the recipient of a $6,255 grant from the Environmental Stewardship Pillar of Prosperity Fund of the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio. These funds will support the Conservancy’s “Finding Your Way Outdoors” project, and will fund efforts that connect Appalachian Ohioans with the many benefits of time spent in nature. The project is a…