STEWART — Athens Conservancy announces the creation of a new 106-acre nature preserve on forested land accented with towering oak trees, a bubbling brook, and plenty of native wildflowers. The land was generously donated to the Conservancy by the Winner family — cousins Wid Winner, John Winner and Linda Winner Beville — in honor of their grandmother.
The Lois Busch Winner Nature Preserve, or Winner Woods, is just outside of Stewart, a small community about 11 miles east of Athens.
“All of us at Athens Conservancy are honored and delighted to become the caretakers of this precious property that has been in the Winner family for more than 100 years. Their incredibly generous gift makes it possible for the local community to experience the wonders of this enchanting, forested land today, and for many generations into the future,” said Donna Goodman, president of the board of directors for Athens Conservancy. “The preserve’s proximity to the village of Stewart makes it the perfect place for local families to enjoy a hike on the land.”
The nature preserve is entirely forested, with a stand of large oaks near the entrance estimated to be over 120 years old. With no major highways nearby, Winner Woods is exceptionally peaceful; only the choruses of songbirds and the wind in the trees interrupt the stillness. A 3/4-mile unmarked trail follows a central ridge through the property, descending to a brook 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.
Linda Winner Beville explains the land was purchased as a farm by her great-grandparents Martha (Mattie) Ross Busch and Dr. PT Busch in the late 1800s with a financial gift from Mattie’s brother, Charles Ross. Linda, who grew up in Virginia, remembers visiting the family farm regularly with her parents to help her grandparents, and has fond memories of their gardens and the vibrant summer flowers blooming along the fence lines.
“I’m very proud to be part of the family group making this donation,” she said. “It is a family gift that the whole community can enjoy. This project certainly has given us a chance to stay closely connected. The greater outcome is that it establishes a large, natural forest, probably dating back to the Civil War, whose beauty and value are now protected as a priceless natural haven for the community and visitors to enjoy for many years. It is humbling to see such hope for this land and to ensure that the many generations to come will, as Grandmother Lois would say, still value this ‘little piece of heaven’. May we keep looking towards the future to better the land for everyone.”
Adds Presley Winner, “My mother, Lois Busch Winner, would be really pleased with what we have done with the land. And, I am really pleased! Jack (my brother) and I always wanted to see the land used for something like this, but we didn’t know how to go about it. I am really proud of our family!”
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 Ohio Department of Natural Resources under the Ohio Landowner-Hunter Access Partnership Program (OLHAP). Details will be available on the Conservancy’s website later this year.
The Conservancy looks forward to being part of the Stewart community, and has made a donation to local efforts to build a playground in the community park.
Athens Conservancy and the Federal Valley Resource Center in Stewart will host a celebration of the new Lois Busch Winner Nature Preserve this fall. More details will be posted soon on the Conservancy’s website, athensconservancy.org/ .
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