(Editor's Notes by Christina Myer - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

This story may be old news to some, but I found out this week there may soon be another gorgeous place to hike nearby (ish). The Athens Conservancy and Nature Conservancy are working to conserve a 2,973 acre parcel donated by a private landowner whose family has owned it for a century.

That’s a lot of forest land.

“Athens Conservancy commends Betty (Lowe’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.”

Descriptions in the announcement remind us we really do live in a special place: “One of the world’s most climate-resilient, biologically diverse and carbon-rich landscapes … It also sits within the eastern temperate deciduous forest, one of only three large-scale temperate deciduous forest systems in the world.”

Anyone who has hiked in the Wayne National Forest or Hocking Hills State Park knows our region is not just an environmental and ecological superstar, it’s also just plain beautiful.

“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.”

They’re going to call part of the property, reaching from northern Athens County into southern Morgan County, the Joy Valley Nature Preserve. I love the Athens Conservancy’s description: “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.”

I don’t know if one would feel linked to Alabama or Canada while visiting the property, but it’s a good guess it’s the kind of place where one could get a little better connected with oneself.

I’m jumping the gun on that part a little, though, as the conservancy was careful to note they are still working on establishing the preserve — forget about developing marked trails and parking just yet.

But I’m hoping that time will come.

“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,” Lowe said. “May this be an inspiration for other landowners to protect their properties.”

Wouldn’t that be wonderful?

While we wait for Lowe’s incredible generosity to catch on, I’m looking forward to the day when the Athens Conservancy can make good on its promise that the preserve will “provide opportunities for exploration for visitors of all ages.”

Judging by the few photos I’ve found online, it looks like opening day will be a joyful day indeed for outdoors lovers everywhere.

Christina Myer is executive editor of The Parkersburg News and Sentinel. She can be reached via e-mail at cmyer@newsandsentinel.com.