In order to protect our preserves from fire and litter, all Athens Conservancy preserves are smoke-free except on paved roadways.
Trails in Athens Conservancy preserves are designed for pedestrians and are not suitable for horses. Bikes are prohibited in most preserves but are permitted on the trails in Mary Beth Preserve (except the short Gillett Pond Trail) and in Blair Preserve.
Bow hunting for deer is allowed in selected preserves. Currently, it is allowed only in the Baker, Blair, Bluebell, Brookville, Canaan, Deep Hollow-Dark Skies, Mary Beth Zak Lohse, Skunk Run, and Tucker Run Preserves. In addition, gun hunting of deer is permitted in the Baker Preserve. Permission from the Conservancy is necessary to hunt on these properties. Selected other preserves will be open to hunting in the future. For more information, see our hunting policy. Target shooting is prohibited in all preserves. Hunting of any animals other than deer is prohibited in all preserves.
The Athens Conservancy has purchased about 13 miles of the former B&O Railroad grade in Athens, Waterloo, Rome and Troy Townships for development into recreational trailway for pedestrians, bicyclists, and horseback riders.
A 282-acre conservation easement on property belonging to Ohio University. The property is open to the public for hiking and deer hunting; hunting requires written permission.
This 75-acre preserve adjoins Strouds Run State Park and can be reached from the park on the Trace Trail, and is a good area for birding.
This 230-acre preserve, with the original 65 acres donated by American Electric Power and the rest purchased from AEP, adjoins the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway and offers an exceptional display of bluebells, trilliums and other spring wildflowers carpeting the forest floor above the bikepath.
Brookville Preserve
The Brookville Preserve in Athens Township protects a large vernal pool, a forested wetland, which provides important habitat for amphibians.
Canaan Preserve
The Canaan Preserve offers 441 acres of hills, forest, and rock formations. It connects the Baker Preserve with Strouds Run State Park.
One of our newest acquisitions, Deep Hollow – Dark Skies Preserve encompasses 110.6 acres in Athens County’s Carthage Township, about 13 miles east-southeast of Athens and 16 miles west of Belpre. Funded by a Clean Ohio grant with additional funds from generous community members, the preserve was established in late December 2020.
In August of 2022, we announced 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 young woman and aspiring wildland firefighter.
The Athens Conservancy has established a 240-acre nature preserve on Strouds Run Road bordering the state park. The tract features ridges and valleys, often with ridge-side bluffs.
Nestled in Athens’ Northpoint neighborhood, our newest preserve consists of a wooded 3.7 acres, just off Peach Ridge Road. The land was generously donated to Athens Conservancy in December 2020 by Diversified Properties of Athens, and is being nurtured as a small, neighborhood conservation preserve.
A 48-acre nature preserve along the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway near Glen Ebon Rd with frontage on the Hocking River. The preserve includes mature riparian forest and a striking cliff face overlooking a stream-bottom wetland. The two non-contiguous tracts were purchased in 2015 and 2016 with Clean Ohio Conservation Fund grants.
A forested tract just north of the former B&O railroad grade where it crosses Ireland road (CR 59) northeast of Coolville. Purchased in two parts in 2013 and 2016 with Clean Ohio Conservation Fund grants as a nature preserve and to provide a possible detour for the Athens-Belpre Rail-Trail around a privately owned segment of the former railroad corridor.
Land in the vicinity of the former mining town known as Eclipse, purchased with Clean Ohio funds to protect a wetland and provide a bike path corridor between Athens High School and the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway.
This property adjoining Strouds Run State Park protects the headwaters of Tucker Run, one of the streams that feeds Dow Lake.