Building on a legacy of knowledge and experience, the Open Space Council works independently and collaboratively to conserve and sustain land, water and other natural resources throughout the St. Louis region.

The Open Space Council is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving public and private open space lands in the St. Louis region. It identifies areas that can be acquired and set aside for public use, and attempts to discourage improper land use and detrimental development. The organization encourages biodiversity through land and water conservation, preservation and restoration.

“Those who want to further both the beauty and bounty of America must constantly search for the right balance between development and preservation of resources.”

-Steward L. Udall, Secretary of the Interior (1961-1968)

The Open Space Council strives to accomplish its mission in the following ways:

Informing the Public at Large
A community that is knowledgeable about its natural areas and threats posed to them is an invaluable ally in conservation efforts.

Advising Decision Makers
Crucial to achieving our purpose is making our concerns know to the political and other leaders entrusted with the fate of our public lands.

Advocating for Proper land Use
The council serves as an organization for open space, supporting, urging, favoring, and articulating important positions in an objective manner.

Acting Directly
In the absence of government action, it is both necessary and effective to obtain private funding for the acquisition of lands for the public good.

The Beginning of the Open Space Council

In 1965, the Open Space Council was established to preserve open space resources for the people of the St. Louis metropolitan region. Frequently, the loss or degradation of the open land proceeds without publicity, usually as a routine manifestation of our “progress”. In the long run, this loss of open land in the very areas where most of our population is concentrated may prove to have more drastic social and ecological consequences than we can perceive. By working to preserve open lands, the Open Space Council seeks to guarantee residents, visitors, and future generations the benefits of a more enjoyable, healthy, and livable environment.

Open Space Council Successes in 2007

• OSC was awarded Cahokia Mound Builder’s Award for donation of $25,000 which made possible the purchase of a former mound site for restoration.
• OSC was awarded the Lewis C. Green Environmental Stewardship Award.
• Formation of the Meramec River Tributary Alliance (MRTA) comprising representatives from over 30 agencies, organizations and businesses to address issues and create initiatives for the future of the Meramec River Basin.
• The planning and hosting of the Meramec River Basin Summit (the first initiative of the MRTA), a 3-day conference attended by over 250 individuals with 55 agencies, organizations and businesses represented.
• Filming of a new documentary on the story of the Meramec River, in conjunction with the Meramec River Basin Summit, which will premier in March of 2008.
• The successful six-day Meramec River Expedition and Media Float to promote the Meramec River Basin Summit which resulted in several news stories and new partnerships.
• Beginning of the Operation Wild Lands (OWLS) Program through a $15,000 Conservation Grant awarded by the Missouri Department of Conservation.
• One of only five recipients of a $5,000 grant from American Water Company for a wetland restoration project at Greentree Park in the City of Kirkwood as part of the OWLS Program.
• Successful 40th Anniversary Operation Clean Stream with approximately 2,000 volunteers removing tons of tires, trash and debris from the Meramec, Bourbeuse, Cortois, Big and Huzzah Rivers.

Other Past Open Space Council Successes

• The acquisition of 3 acres in the heart of Webster Groves. These 3 acres will be preserved as green space and added to the 6 acre Shady Creek Nature Sanctuary.
• Drafting and securing passage of the Missouri Open Space Conservation Act of 1972.
• Calling for the preservation and restoration of Forest Park in St. Louis, one of the largest urban parks in this country. The Council has provided focus and articulation for the community in opposing various proposals for intrusion upon Forest Park, such as parking for the Arena, constructing the Science Museum in the Park, the expansion of Children’s hospital over park space, the proposed Zoo Farm, and the Art Museum’s attempt to take over a large open area of the park. Likewise, the Council has consistently supported and argued for a Forest Park master plan as a precondition for any major change in Forest Park.
• Playing a key role in cooperation with other groups in persuading the Missouri Conservation Commission to acquire the 986 acre tract known as Forest 44 in west St. Louis County, thus preserving both a large and strategic area and three miles of natural road frontage along Highway 44.
• Supporting and working for the passage of the ballot initiative to protect five St. Louis County parks from over-development by having them designated as Natural Heritage Parks.
• Providing financial support to Trailnet in acquisition of abandoned railroad right-of-ways in both St. Louis and St. Charles Counties for conservation into hiking and biking trails.The Open Space Council provided several thousand dollars in funding for the Al Foster Trail section on the Meramec River in Wildwood, Missouri.
• Persuading St. Louis County to impose certain restrictions on gravel mining of a strategic tract on the Meramec River with the agreement that the property would eventually be made into St. Louis County park.
• Opposing the extension of Page Avenue across Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park and working to persuade both Missouri and federal officials to re-evaluate the project.