Athens Conservancy Past Projects

The Athens Conservancy has in the past been involved in a number of efforts, including the following:

Acquisition Projects

Hawk Woods

This 106-acre property is now owned by the City of Athens and is dedicated as the Dale and Jackie Riddle State Nature Preserve, adjacent to Sells Park. It includes the 85-acre Hawk Woods, one of Ohio's most significant old-growth forests. The Conservancy initiated the project, prepared the grant preparation, and raised the match for the purchase.

COAD Tract

This 78-acre property, owned by the City of Athens, connects Sells Park, the Riddle State Nature Preserve, and Strouds Run Park, and provides trail access. The Conservancy assisted with grant preparation.

Hope Drive Tract

This 81-acre property, owned by the City of Athens, adjoins Strouds Run Park and provides trail access for the Athens Trail back to East State Street. The Conservancy assisted with grant preparation.

Addington Tract

The Conservancy, with the help of the Appalachia Ohio Alliance, acquired this 55-acre property adjacent to Strouds Run Park.

Waterloo Wildlife Experiment Station

The Conservancy helped to raise the match for this state property to extend its area by 944.5 acres, which enlarged it by about 50%.

• A series of informative newspaper articles to educate the public on aspects of open-space preservation has been published in the Athens Messenger, and are archived at this site.
• Nature walks for public information and education have been held over the past two years.
• Participated in informational activities at various events. To date, the Conservancy has had a booth at the Athens Area Sustainability Festival, and plans to be in attendance at various other events.
• Worked with other organizations, including the Appalachian Ohio Alliance (a land trust based in Hocking County, Ohio), the Friends of the Lower Muskingum River (a land trust based in Washington County, Ohio), the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, the Hocking River Commission (a land trust centered around the Hocking River). Currently, the Conservancy is participating in an effort to coordinate land trusts statewide in Ohio.
• Assisted the City of Athens in planning for open space preservation
• Assisted private property owners in using alternate tools for land protection, including assistance with deed restrictions and conservation easements.
• Maintained of an informational website.
• Published brochures, both for membership and donations, but also for public information purposes.