Athens Conservancy

“Form 990 delivered electronically to each board member prior to the july 5, 2023 meeting. At the meeting all board members had opportunity to ask questions prior to voting approval on the document”

“Our records are availabbe upon written request, supplied by postal mail or e-mail”

“Our conflict of interest policy is monitored to ensure no material financial interest for transactions or projects under board consideration”

“Preservation $2,996,383 the athens conservancy received an unprecedented donation of mineral rights for coal reserves on approximately 10,000 acres located mostly in northern athens county, ohio. In coal-bearing regions, these rights were often severed from surface rights and sold to coal companies, with transactions dating back more than a century. The conservancy intends to leave the vast majority of the coal untouched and in the ground to protect the community and benefit the environment for future generations. This noncash donation aligns perfectly with our mission.”

“There is a previously existing lease that allows about 1,100 acres of the donated reserves to be mined until the lease expires in 2023. Athens conservancy will not extend this lease nor enter into any new leases.”

“The ohio department of natural resources issued a coal mining permit that includes nearly 300 acres of the leased coal reserves. In 2022, mining began prior to the donation and could continue until the permit expires in 2027. During the life of the lease, the coal company may pursue additional permits to mine the remaining 800 acres of leased coal reserves. Although the lease expires in 2033, coal mining activities may well cease or be reduced earlier based on market conditions.”

“In accordance with keeping about 8,900 acres of unleased coal reserves in the ground, athens conservancy has written-down the book value of the coal assets due to the reduction of its fair market value by approximately 81%. The asset is now valued at the potential revenue of royalties we may receive from the leased reserves if mining continues.”

“Athens conservancy now protects 14 preserves with the addition of the lindy roosenburg preserve, located just north of athens, ohio. The nearly 71- acre preserve is an exceptional property with mature forests, scenic rock formations, and 1.5 miles of well-maintained trails. The lindy preserve was established in memory of a local young woman and aspiring wildland firefighter.”

“In 2022, funding associated with preserving land included closing costs for land purchased, property taxes paid, liability insurance coverage for our preserves, insurance coverage for the legal costs of defending our conservation easements, and interest on a mortgage (which was paid in full in 2022) on one of our preserves.”

“Stewardship $64,465 keeping our preserves healthy and accessible to our community is an important part of our mission. Two part-time employees, along with a student intern and volunteers, removed invasive non-native plants that crowd out native plants on our preserves. Invasive species are capable of reducing biodiversity by competing with native species for limited resources and altering habitats. These plants include garlic mustard, multiflora rose, stilt grass, japanese honeysuckle, privet, burning bush and autumn olive. They must be removed regularly by mechanical means and by limited herbicidal control to curb their impact to native wildlife habitat. We work in our preserves on a rotating basis to control the invasive plants as they typically reappear in previously cleared areas. In addition to our employees' salaries, expenses included the purchase, maintenance and repair of various hand tools and powered tools, such as a weed eater.”

“Our two part-time employees also helped maintain over 10 miles of trails and several footbridges. They regularly removed encroaching vegetation along the trails, footbridges, and kiosks; cleared downed trees that blocked trails; and made trail improvements to keep the trails safe and accessible to hikers. Signs were purchased and installed to mark several trails this year. One new trail was marked white blazes.”

“The new trails were completed and opened in 2022. The john knouse trail, a 2-mile trail on the canaan preserve that connects the baker preserve with strouds run state park, and an art trail around a small pond on the mary beth zak lohse preserve comprising 10 artist-designed trail markers featuring native plants and animals. A non-profit trail organization was hired to assist in the design and completion of the john knouse trail.”

“Two kiosks with display cases were installed by a local contractor near the cucumber tree trailhead parking lot and the baker preserve. The kiosks are used to display trail maps; educational information on an assortment of topics; general information about the conservancy; and event posters.”

“Our largest expenditure was the construction of a parking area and access drive to the lindy roosenburg preserve by a local contractor. Expenses included all labor, equipment, and materials to build a 210 foot long driveway with a 6 spot parking lot. As parking can be a challenge at some of our preserves, this work will provide a safe place for visitors to park.”

“Events/outreach $8,292 athens conservancy celebrated its 20th anniversary during 2022 with the grand openings of the art trail at the mary beth zak lohse preserve and the john knouse trails at the canaan preserve. The conservancy partnered with passion works studio to create artwork; live healthy appalachia who provided seasonal posters; and ohio valley museum of discovery who produced activity brochues for the kiosk. The visibilty of the art trail was expanded with sister trails installed in three athens county library branches. The john knouse trail was built in memory of a founding member of our organization. It connects separate trail systems and makes it possible to hike nine miles without crossing a road.”

“The conservancy held our annual groundhog and spring wildflower hikes and participated in the pawpaw festival. We hosted an event with the ohio university alumni and took part in a collaborative event in athens called high tea and trees. These events provide an opportunity for the community to enjoy time outdoors and learn about nature and the conservancy.”

“We use social media platforms, newsletters, press releases, web articles, brochures, and information posted in our kiosks to reach out to our members and the general public.”

“2022 expenses included our development director's time, along with a limited number of hours with a design consultant, to create brochures, trail maps, newsletters, posters, and general information used at our events and displayed in the kiosks; printing fees; maintenance of our website and other social media platforms; and event costs.”

“The conservancy protects water quality and maintains healthy ecosystems that support native biodiversity and help counteract the causes of climate change. We connect our community to nature through recreation, events, education, research, and inspiration.”