Dr. Philip Cantino
Dr. Philip Cantino, Professor Emeritus of Environmental & Plant Biology, was quoted in an Athens Messenger article headlined “Athens Conservancy awarded more than $1 million in grant funding.”
Among the three tracts the Athens Conservancy plans to purchase is “land from American Electric Power in York and Dover Twps. to expand the Bluebell Preserve from 65 to 230 acres. This will help protect a 2.5-mile stretch along the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway in the Hamley Run Road and Glen Ebon Road area.”
“Much of the forest in the tract to be acquired is in excellent condition, with a rich and diverse understory of native forest herbs and few invasive plants,” stated Phil Cantino, the Conservancy’s secretary and Ohio University professor emeritus of environmental and plant biology, in a news release.
The Bluebell Preserve is known for its “spectacular spring wildflower displays” that can be seen from the bikeway.
The Conservancy will use the third grant to purchase a 35-acre wooded tract along Marietta Run Road in Bern Twp. According to the land trust, the forest is an estimated 60-90 years old and “provides excellent wildlife habitat.”
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