Our May 30th celebration of the new Joy Valley Nature Preserve was indeed a joyful gathering for the community, supporters, friends, and most of all, for land donor Betty Lowe and her family! Co-hosted by Athens Conservancy and The Nature Conservancy, the picture-perfect afternoon included refreshments (and some Joy Valley cookies), remarks, a ribbon-cutting, and guided hikes on new trails! Thanks to everyone who joined us for the happy afternoon. (See Betty and her son Pete cutting the ribbon, above.)
Joy Valley Nature Preserve was established in 2025, the result of Athens Conservancy and The Nature Conservancy working together to conserve nearly 3,000 acres of forested land in the southern Ohio foothills of the globally significant Appalachian Mountains. The endeavor marked one of the largest private land-protection initiatives by nonprofit organizations in the state’s history. The remarkable parcel of land is abundant in natural beauty, rugged history, and environmental treasures.
An April trail-building campaign funded the new loop trail — the 2-mile Woodland Trail — that was was constructed by our AmeriCorps workers and interns this spring. The scenic trail goes through deciduous and coniferous forests, past rock outcroppings and a vernal poos, to a high overlook with an impressive view. Our stewardship crew also built the new 3.2-mile, out-and-back Beaver Pond Trail, and a short Creek Trail, that provides a leisurely walk along a pretty creek.
For more, go to the Joy Valley Nature Preserve page.
