Open Space Council STL

Ron Coleman (OSC ), Andrew Fahlund (American Rivers) and Rick Holton (American Rivers) on the bank of the Meramec River.

The Open Space Council for the St. Louis Region is a nonprofit organization committed to conserving, protecting and sustaining land and water resources  throughout the area, and is dedicated to ensuring their responsible and ethical use.  As stewards of nature, we work to maintain the integrity of land and waterways for practical purposes, recreation and their natural beauty, to be enjoyed now and for generations to come.

The Open Space Council has been around since May 1965.  Throughout our history, we have played an integral role in:

• Restoring and supporting a clean and healthy Meramec River
• Helping establish Castlewood State Park, Forest 44 Conservation Area and Beetree County Park, to name a few
• Restoring more than three thousand acres of land, and almost 500 miles of river
• Helping to thwart efforts to dam the Meramec River

In addition to restoring and maintaining the region's already dedicated open spaces, the organization's ongoing work includes identifying areas that can be acquired and set aside for public use, and discouraging improper land use and detrimental development.  Acting as a Land Trust, we raise and provide funds for new open space projects, offering land owners an alternative to development.

Through environmental and community building events such as Operation Clean Stream and Operation Wild Lands, The Open Space Council seeks to raise awareness about the importance of land and water conservation, and the value of clean water.

We recognize our region is fortunate to have designated national, state and local parks as well as other open spaces.  We work hard to protect this great privilege.

The Open Space Council works to conserve, protect and sustain land and water resources in the St. Louis Region.