From Canada to Georgia, behind every acre OSI protects, there are people. Each person has a connection to the land that has inspired them to protect it and their stories are as diverse as the landscapes they are dedicated to protecting.
Stories from the Field
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New Life for Trails at Minnewaska State Park
For more than 30 years, the Open Space Institute (OSI) has worked to expand and improve Minnewaska State Park, and it would not have been possible without significant support from the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF).
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Measuring the Carbon for the Trees: New Tool will Quantify the Carbon Value of Forest Protection
Without forest protection, we cannot meet critical climate targets. By updating and improving data, we can protect and manage forested lands to optimize their ability to capture and sequester carbon, while protecting biodiversity.
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in conversation: Q&A with Paul McCormack (2023)
The Black River Water Trail & Park Network, also known as the Black River Project, is an Open Space Institute (OSI) led initiative to create a 70-mile network of parks and open spaces along South Carolina’s storied Black River.
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OSI Secures Vital Link between Major Watersheds (2023)
Thanks to a joint endeavor between the Open Space Institute (OSI) and Beaufort County, a 527-acre property is now permanently protected.
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Community Driven Climate Solutions (2023)
Empowering local communities to employ land protection to combat the effects of severe weather is at the heart of the Resilient Communities program, led by the Open Space Institute (OSI) and the Thrive Regional Partnership (Thrive).
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Year in Review 2023: Protecting Clean Water Sources
With our efforts to conserve critical land surrounding rivers, streams, lakes, and headwaters, OSI is protecting drinking water and aquatic habitat throughout the eastern United States.
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Year in Review 2023: Visionary Conservation Leadership
Once again, this was a year that proved that the Open Space Institute is in a class by itself when it comes to using smart, bold land conservation and visionary leadership to produce spectacular results.
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Year in Review 2022: Protecting Drinking Water Sources
In 2022, by advocating for and protecting key forests alongside streams for conservation, OSI continued to safeguard the drinking water resources for countless communities along the eastern seaboard.
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Year in Review 2022: A Momentous Year for OSI
For OSI, 2022 was a year of record-breaking deals for land protection and transformative improvements around public access to nature. And in every project this year, OSI’s expertise and dogged determination were absolutely critical to success.
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A Watershed Moment for South Carolina (2022)
OSI's purchase of the Slater property in Jasper County represents the largest conservation investments in South Carolina history, a critical step in protecting the headwaters of the Port Royal Sound.
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Measuring the Carbon for the Trees: New Tool will Quantify the Carbon Value of Forest Protection
Without forest protection, we cannot meet critical climate targets. By updating and improving data, we can protect and manage forested lands to optimize their ability to capture and sequester carbon, while protecting biodiversity.
Read More -
Community Driven Climate Solutions (2023)
Empowering local communities to employ land protection to combat the effects of severe weather is at the heart of the Resilient Communities program, led by the Open Space Institute (OSI) and the Thrive Regional Partnership (Thrive).
Read More -
Harnessing the Power of Forests for Climate (2023)
OSI was awarded a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program to lead a major upgrade to National Forest Carbon Monitoring System (NFCMS) data.
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Year in Review 2023: Addressing Climate Change
As the climate continues to change, OSI is doubling down on efforts to protect high carbon storage landscapes forests as we lead the field to better plan for and manage climate impacts.
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Year in Review 2023: Visionary Conservation Leadership
Once again, this was a year that proved that the Open Space Institute is in a class by itself when it comes to using smart, bold land conservation and visionary leadership to produce spectacular results.
Read More
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Year in Review 2023: Land for Habitat
Each year, OSI’s land protection work delivers multiple, overlapping benefits, making a difference to all who visit or live in these beloved landscapes.
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Year in Review 2023: Visionary Conservation Leadership
Once again, this was a year that proved that the Open Space Institute is in a class by itself when it comes to using smart, bold land conservation and visionary leadership to produce spectacular results.
Read More -
Year in Review 2022: A Momentous Year for OSI
For OSI, 2022 was a year of record-breaking deals for land protection and transformative improvements around public access to nature. And in every project this year, OSI’s expertise and dogged determination were absolutely critical to success.
Read More -
A Watershed Moment for South Carolina (2022)
OSI's purchase of the Slater property in Jasper County represents the largest conservation investments in South Carolina history, a critical step in protecting the headwaters of the Port Royal Sound.
Read More -
Connectivity for Wildlife and People (2022)
Across the East Coast, OSI uses strategic land protection and conservation planning to protecting and connecting green corridors in some of the region's most densely populated areas.
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Building Pathways and Partnerships with Indigenous Communities (2023)
In recognition of the critical role Indigenous peoples play in land management and stewardship, OSI is providing land trusts in NY with tailored training, tools, and resources to improve relationship building and allyship with Indigenous communities.
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Year in Review 2023: Strengthening Communities
As we continue to grow an inclusive conservation movement, OSI is committed to strengthening and supporting communities in urban and rural landscapes, and the protection of land that preserves and upholds our nation’s heritage and cultural treasures.
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Year in Review 2023: Visionary Conservation Leadership
Once again, this was a year that proved that the Open Space Institute is in a class by itself when it comes to using smart, bold land conservation and visionary leadership to produce spectacular results.
Read More -
Year in Review 2022: A Momentous Year for OSI
For OSI, 2022 was a year of record-breaking deals for land protection and transformative improvements around public access to nature. And in every project this year, OSI’s expertise and dogged determination were absolutely critical to success.
Read More -
Cultivating Black Urban Growers (2022)
For more than ten years, Black Urban Growers (BUGs) has been one the Open Space Institute’s (OSI) most active participants in its Citizen Action program—providing a range of programming to support Black agrarianism in both urban and rural communities
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New Life for Trails at Minnewaska State Park
For more than 30 years, the Open Space Institute (OSI) has worked to expand and improve Minnewaska State Park, and it would not have been possible without significant support from the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF).
Read More -
in conversation: Q&A with Paul McCormack (2023)
The Black River Water Trail & Park Network, also known as the Black River Project, is an Open Space Institute (OSI) led initiative to create a 70-mile network of parks and open spaces along South Carolina’s storied Black River.
Read More -
OSI Secures Vital Link between Major Watersheds (2023)
Thanks to a joint endeavor between the Open Space Institute (OSI) and Beaufort County, a 527-acre property is now permanently protected.
Read More -
Growing Greenways (2023)
OSI’s Growing Greenways vision plan is a blueprint to connect and improve eight existing rail trail and greenway systems, greatly improving public access to nature, and more.
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Year in Review 2023: Land for Recreation
OSI understands the vital role trails, greenways, parks, and open spaces can play in promoting physical health and mental well-being, promoting off-road transportation, fostering community bonds, improving local economies, and so much more.
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