The 105.7-acre Lois Busch Winner Nature Preserve, or “Winner Woods”, is located on the edge of Stewart, about 11 miles east of Athens. This lovely stand of forest, much of it mature, was generously donated to the Conservancy in April 2024 by the Winner family — cousins Wid Winner, John Winner, and Linda Winner Beville – in honor of their grandmother.
With no major highways nearby, Winner Woods is exceptionally peaceful; only the chorus of songbirds and the wind in the trees interrupt the stillness. The majestic old white oaks near the entrance are particularly impressive. A 3/4-mile trail follows a central ridge through the property, descending to a small stream that runs along the western boundary. Steep slopes above the stream are dotted with native wildflowers such as Jacob’s ladder, Solomon’s-plume, dwarf larkspur, four-leaved milkweed, and woodland stonecrop.
The new nature preserve is open to the public for hiking, birdwatching, and enjoying the peaceful, natural space. Foot traffic only is permitted. No motorized vehicles, ATVs, or mountain bikes are allowed. Bowhunting of deer, and hunting of small game will be overseen by ODNR under the Ohio Landowner-Hunter Access Partnership Program (OLHAP). Details will be available on our website later this year.
Athens Conservancy and the Federal Valley Resource Center in Stewart will host a celebration of the new Lois Busch Winner Nature Preserve this fall.
DIRECTIONS: To reach Winner Woods from Athens, take US-50E 11 miles (from Parkersburg, take US-50W 26 miles). At the Marathon Station turn onto SR-329 and take it 2.6 miles to Fairfax St (0.2 mile beyond the SR-144 junction) in Stewart. Turn left and drive to the end of Fairfax St. (0.3 miles; steeply uphill at the end). There is a small parking area that serves the Stewart cemetery, a water tank, and Winner Woods. The preserve begins beyond the fenced-in cemetery north of the parking lot. Do not enter the cemetery. Look for signs next to the cemetery marking a narrow foot path along the outside of the fence, leading to the preserve. There is a large sign a short way inside the preserve entrance. Currently there is only one trail (0.75 mi long), which begins at the sign, but additional walking trails may be built in the future. Trail signs will be installed soon.
(Thanks to Linda Winner Beville for some of the photos in the slideshow.)
