News

In person again this year, the Athens Conservancy annual meeting is set for 5 pm Monday, Oct. 17, on the patio at Little Fish Brewing Co., 8675 Armitage Rd. in Athens. Join us for a 20th anniversary celebration and a roundup of our activities over the past year, which are made possible by the support…

A major electric utility company and a nonprofit land trust may not seem like plausible research partners. But American Electric Power (AEP) is teaming up with Athens Conservancy in southeastern Ohio to study the effectiveness of native grass and wildflower seed mixes and how prolifically they’ll grow following utility construction projects. Athens Conservancy is providing…

Athens Conservancy announces the creation of a new nearly-71-acre nature preserve – described as an exceptional property with mature forests, scenic rock formations, and an abundance of wildflowers and wildlife — just north of Athens. The land was purchased chiefly through a fund that was generously established last year in memory of a passionate, local…

Thank you all who joined us to officially open the John Knouse Trail last Saturday! It was an absolutely gorgeous day, and we hope everyone enjoyed the ribbon-cutting, stories and anecdotes about our friend John, snacks, bandanas, and some beautiful hiking! If you were not able to be there, be sure to check out the…

Join us for a grand opening celebration, John Knouse-style! The festive event, kicking off at 1 pm on Saturday, June 11, will officially open the John Knouse Trail, built in honor of Athens Conservancy’s founder and widely-known friend of the community. The event, hosted by the Conservancy and Friends of Strouds Run, will include a…

Athens Conservancy and Passion Works Studio have teamed up to create a colorful new Art Trail just outside of Athens. The trail opens June 5 with a celebration for the public, along with the other community partners Live Healthy Appalachia and the Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery. The Art Trail, featuring whimsical nature-inspired trail markers…

The John Knouse Trail, built in honor of Athens Conservancy’s founder, is now complete and open for people to explore! The 2-mile, mostly forested trail crosses Canaan Preserve and forms a critical new trail link. It connects separate trail system of Strouds Run State Park and Baker Preserve, and makes it possible to hike from…

From volunteer coordinator Delaney Gibbs: Join us this weekend at Canaan Preserve to help us maintain the diverse and lovely flora growing along the brand-new John Knouse Trail! Volunteers will meet at the Horseman’s Area (directions below) on Sunday, May 8, at 11 am and will get to work pulling up the invasive garlic mustard…

In honor of Athens Conservancy’s 20th anniversary, we asked our board members and other friends to talk about their favorite places in the preserves around Athens County. Take a look at what Tiffany Harvey had to say about the Mary Beth Preserve: My favorite preserve or hiking trail is:   Mary Beth Zak Lohse Preserve…

(Guest post by Ohio University student Olivia Strauss) On a spring hike, you may stumble across all sorts of wildflowers. Here’s how to identify a few spring bloomers! When determining what kind of wildflower you are observing, note the flower shape. Some are symmetrical with petals that reach out from a central point, while others…

Flower power! Spring has sprung, and wildflowers are showing off their pretty blooms in the woods. Please join Athens Conservancy on a guided wildflower walk at 1 pm Saturday, April 23. Gather at the Beaumont-Salina Trailhead on Hamley Run Road in The Plains. The 3-mile round-trip walk will follow the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway to the…

In honor of Athens Conservancy’s 20th anniversary, we asked our board members and other friends to talk about their favorite places in the preserves around Athens County. Take a look at what Brian Blair had to say about the Brookville Preserve!