Landmark Conservation Effort Protects Nearly 3,000 Acres in Ohio’s Appalachian Foothills

Athens Conservancy and The Nature Conservancy are working together to conserve nearly 3,000 acres of forested land in the southern Ohio foothills that are part of a vital wildlife corridor in the majestic and globally significant Appalachian Mountains. The endeavor marks one of the largest private land-protection initiatives by nonprofit organizations in the state’s history.

Thanks to an extraordinary donation, private landowner Betty Lowe – whose family has owned the land for a century—will transfer ownership of the 2,973-acre parcel to Athens Conservancy, a local land trust that protects the forests and hills in Athens and Morgan counties. The Nature Conservancy, a global environmental nonprofit committed to conserving nature for the people of Ohio, will hold a permanent conservation easement on the property.

This collaborative approach to conservation provides two layers of protection for the land, reflecting the donor’s vision for the future of the property. Athens Conservancy will oversee, manage and steward the land while the conservation easement will enable The Nature Conservancy to monitor the property. Together, these efforts will ensure the land is protected forever.

“Athens Conservancy commends Betty’s vision to preserve this precious forested property, and we fully embrace a partnership with The Nature Conservancy to protect it forever,” said Brian Blair, Athens Conservancy board member. “This remarkable land is abundant in natural beauty, rugged history, and environmental treasures. Its vast hardwood forests have significant impact—locally, regionally, and globally—today and for the future.” 

The land-protection initiative has far-reaching impact beyond the local southeastern Ohio forests. The expansive property is part of the Appalachian Corridor, one of the world’s most climate-resilient, biologically diverse, and carbon-rich landscapes on Earth. It also sits within the eastern temperate deciduous forest, one of only three large-scale temperate deciduous forest systems in the world.

“Protecting this forest—the largest single private parcel The Nature Conservancy has conserved within the state of Ohio—is a win for people and nature,” said Terry Seidel, The Nature Conservancy’s director of protection in Ohio. “By working in partnership with Athens Conservancy, we’re ensuring part of the globally significant Appalachian landscape remains a beautiful place for people to connect with the outdoors.”

Betty Lowe said, "I am donating my farm to Athens Conservancy and a conservation easement to The Nature Conservancy so as to conserve the property from future development, prevent mining and major disturbance of the land, preserve native biodiversity, allow the public to walk and enjoy nature, and encourage appreciation and protection of the natural world. May this be an inspiration for other landowners to protect their properties."

Athens Conservancy will establish a vast natural area called Joy Valley Nature Preserve on the property, which is in northern Athens County and southern Morgan County. The property sits within the unglaciated Appalachian Plateau of southeastern Ohio and is habitat for Appalachian hardwood forest systems crisscrossed by headwater tributary streams of the Ohio River Watershed. This lush property is a vital link to the 2,000-mile Appalachian Mountain range that runs from Alabama to the Canadian Maritime Provinces.

Hardwood forests cover more than 88% of the expansive site, with rugged sandstone outcroppings, steep hillsides and vernal pools, recess caves and sheer cliffs, high ridge tops, and numerous ponds and stream valleys. In addition to native tree species such as white oak, black oak, scarlet oak, shagbark hickory, American beech, sugar maple, and tulip poplar, the family planted more than 300 acres of Virginia pines and white pines, and small stands of black walnut trees. A portion of the land that was mined for coal in the past has reforested.

The property also is home to some significant plant and animal species. It is an important breeding ground and corridor for many migratory birds, including approximately 26 species of warbler such as the cerulean warbler, Prothonotary warbler, and the black and white warbler. It also provides habitat for numerous bat species, such as the federally endangered long-eared bat and eastern red bats. The property supports the state potentially threatened lance-leaved violet (Viola lanceolata) and three species on the state plant species watch list – netted chain fern (Woodwardia aerolata), butternut (Juglans cinerea), and satin brome (Bromus nottowayanus).

The property is in The Nature Conservancy’s larger Appalachian Forest priority area. Given its varied topography, health, and connection to other habitats, The Nature Conservancy found that it is well-suited to help species adjust to a changing climate.

By establishing Joy Valley Nature Preserve, Athens Conservancy will protect the land and its ecological assets in its natural state. The expansive preserve will provide opportunities for exploration for visitors of all ages, as well as education and environmental research in the fields of ecology, land stewardship, natural history, and sustainable land management. Proper signage and trail markers will be added as soon as possible.

Athens Conservancy and The Nature Conservancy will host an opening event at a later date to celebrate the new Joy Valley Nature Preserve and the collaborative initiative to preserve and protect its vast forests. In the meantime, please note that there are no marked trails, and the preserve currently has limited cell phone service.