Open Space Institute

{{Short description|Conservation organization}}The Open Space Institute (OSI) is a conservation organization that protects land for clean drinking water, public recreation, healthy communities, wildlife habitat, and climate protection.{{cite web |title=Hattie Carthan, "the Tree Lady of Brooklyn," Scotland's SHORE Seaweed, Open Space Institute |url=https://theclimate.org/hattie-carthan-the-tree-lady-of-brooklyn-scotlands-shore-seaweed-open-space-institute/ |website=theclimate.org |date=21 February 2023 |access-date=8 May 2023}} Established in 1974, OSI achieves its goals through land acquisition,{{cite news |last1=Woodel |first1=Mike |title=Conservation groups still have eyes on Georgetown County for future land purchases |url=https://www.postandcourier.com/georgetown/news/conservation-groups-still-have-eyes-on-georgetown-county-for-future-land-purchases/article_3416033a-a728-11ed-9369-8b3d2c665d61.html |access-date=8 May 2023 |work=The Post and Courier |date=12 Feb 2023}} fiscal sponsorship, regional loan and grant programs,{{cite news |title=Putney Mountain Association and Vermont Land Trust announce conservation of land parcel along Windmill Ridge |url=https://www.reformer.com/community-news/putney-mountain-association-and-vermont-land-trust-announce-conservation-of-land-parcel-along-windmill-ridge/article_a12e9dd8-8bc6-11ed-8de8-b72e6b7d012e.html |access-date=8 May 2023 |work=Brattleboro Reformer |date=16 Jan 2023}} park and trail improvements,{{cite news |last1=Marbone |first1=Aaron |title=OSI plans trailhead at Lake Placid rail trail entrance |url=https://www.lakeplacidnews.com/news/local-news/2023/02/16/osi-plans-trailhead-at-lake-placid-rail-trail-entrance/ |access-date=8 May 2023 |work=Lake Placid News |date=16 Feb 2023}} and public policy and advocacy.{{cite news |last1=Craig |first1=Gwendolyn |title=Report: New York needs to do more to create inclusive outdoor spaces |url=https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Report-New-York-needs-to-do-more-to-create-17526155.php |access-date=8 May 2023 |work=Times Union |date=23 Oct 2022}} OSI is active across the country, including the states of New York,{{cite web |last1=Moment |first1=Matt |title=This Conservation Organization Protects Land Near the Shawangunk Ridge |url=https://hvmag.com/news/shawangunk-ridge-open-space-institute/ |website=Hudson Valley Magazine |access-date=25 May 2023}} Vermont, New Hampshire,{{cite news |title=Barrington's Stonehouse Forest saved for generations to come |url=https://www.fosters.com/story/news/environment/2017/12/14/barringtons-stonehouse-forest-saved-for-generations-to-come/16832123007/ |access-date=25 May 2023 |work=Fosters Daily Democrat |date=14 Dec 2017}} Maine,{{cite news |title=Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust receives grant for project |url=https://www.centralmaine.com/2022/11/08/maine-appalachian-trail-land-trust-receives-grant-for-project/ |access-date=25 May 2023 |work=centralmaine.com |date=8 Nov 2022}} Georgia,{{cite news |last1=Dixon |first1=Chris |title=Muscogee (Creek) Nation, conservationists seeking to establish first national park and preserve in Georgia |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/02/12/oklahomas-muscogee-creek-nation-is-seeking-create-first-national-park-georgia/ |access-date=25 May 2023 |work=The Washington Post |date=12 Feb 2022}} South Carolina,{{cite news |last1=Caines |first1=Richard |title=Parts of SC barrier island safe from development after $500K Google donation |url=https://www.postandcourier.com/myrtle-beach/news/parts-of-sc-barrier-island-safe-from-development-after-500k-google-donation/article_59031608-54ce-11ed-9b39-1f58bae89b64.html |access-date=25 May 2023 |work=Post and Courier |date=27 Oct 2022}} Virginia,{{cite news |last1=Domingo |first1=Ida |title=George Washington, Jefferson National Forests add key lands in Botetourt County |url=https://wset.com/news/local/george-washington-jefferson-national-forests-add-key-lands-in-botetourt-county |access-date=25 May 2023 |work=WSET |date=31 Oct 2019}} Tennessee, New Jersey,{{cite news |last1=Tully |first1=Tracey |title=31 Bridges, 2 Cities, 6 Towns: Greenway Is New Jersey's High Line |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/16/nyregion/new-jersey-greenway.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare |access-date=25 May 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=16 Sep 2022}} Massachusetts,{{cite news |last1=Merzbach |first1=Scott |title=Cowls plans to protect 2,000 acres of timberland |url=https://www.recorder.com/W-D-Cowls-working-to-permanently-protect-more-than-2-000-acres-of-timberland-19680803 |access-date=25 May 2023 |work=Greenfield Recorder |date=23 Aug 2018}} Pennsylvania, Alabama,{{cite news |last1=Pare |first1=Mike |title=Environmental group launches $5.25 million fund to protect 30,000 acres in Chattanooga region |url=https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2021/feb/23/525-million-fund-protect-30000-acres-around-chatta/ |access-date=25 May 2023 |work=Chattanooga Times Free Press |date=23 Feb 2021}} West Virginia,{{cite news |last1=Maccaro |first1=Matt |title=White Horse Mountain purchased by conservancy |url=https://wvmetronews.com/2015/05/14/white-horse-mountain-purchased-by-conservancy/ |access-date=25 May 2023 |work=West Virginia MetroNews |date=14 May 2015}} North Carolina,{{cite news |last1=Chávez |first1=Karen |title=Blue Ridge Mountains get attention for conservation challenges |url=https://www.citizen-times.com/story/sports/outdoors/2015/05/21/blue-ridge-mountains-get-national-attention-conservation-challenges/27728613/ |access-date=25 May 2023 |work=Citizen Times |date=21 May 2015}} and Florida.{{cite web |title=Florida Forever Acquisition to Preserve Important Habitat in Central Florida |url=https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/23ee0ac |website=floridadep.gov |access-date=25 May 2023}}

Activities

= Funding =

OSI provides grants and low-cost bridge loans to land trusts, other nonprofit groups, and public agencies for more effective and resilient land protection in selected regions of the eastern United States.{{cite news |last1=InsiderNJ |title=Open Space Institute Announces Loan Program |url=https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/open-space-institute-announces-loan-program/ |access-date=16 May 2023 |work=InsiderNJ |date=17 Feb 2022}}{{cite news |last1=NCPA Staff |title=New conservation efforts underway for forests of western and central Pennsylvania |url=https://www.northcentralpa.com/news/new-conservation-efforts-underway-for-forests-of-western-and-central-pennsylvania/article_49c4a714-18bb-11ed-ae75-f3bb49e223ed.html |access-date=16 May 2023 |work=NorthcentralPA.com |date=11 Aug 2022}} OSI also provides financial awards for young leaders interested in pursuing conservation careers.{{cite news |last1=Callahan |first1=Cloey |title=Young environmentalists earn grants to lead local projects |url=https://www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley/news/article/open-space-institute-grant-awards-17222667.php |access-date=16 May 2023 |work=Times Union |date=7 June 2022}}

= Land acquisition =

OSI acquires and transfers land and conservation easements for permanent land protection.{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Christian |title=Florence County to add Independence Farm as new county park |url=https://scnow.com/news/local/florence-county-to-add-independence-farm-as-new-county-park/article_29813bd8-ccb2-11ed-9c9f-4bb80fd90e3c.html |access-date=17 May 2023 |work=SCNOW.com |date=27 Mar 2023}} They work closely with local, state, and federal agencies to protect land for communities, wildlife and water.{{cite news |last1=Craig |first1=Gwendolyn |title=Open Space Institute acquires Lake Luzerne property ripe for green and recreational opportunities |url=https://www.adirondackexplorer.org/stories/lake-luzerne-property-ripe-for-opportunities |access-date=17 May 2023 |work=Adirondack Explorer |date=16 Nov 2020}} OSI aims to connect fragmented landscapes to protect wildlife habitat, expand recreational spaces, and preserve water quality.{{cite news |last1=Quinn |first1=Erin |title=The Open Space Institute acquires 1,000 acres in Wawarsing, connecting the Shawangunk Ridge and the Catskill Forest Park |url=https://hudsonvalleyone.com/2023/01/12/the-open-space-institute-acquires-1000-acres-in-wawarsing-connecting-the-shawangunk-ridge-and-the-catskill-forest-park/ |access-date=17 May 2023 |work=Hudson Valley One |date=12 Jan 2023}}

= Park improvements =

OSI collaborates with public entities such as NY State Parks and the Department of Conservation to improve access to open spaces.{{cite news |last1=Axelrod |first1=Daniel |title=Minnewaska State Park opens new $6.1M visitor center. Drinking water, bathrooms included |url=https://www.recordonline.com/story/news/2020/10/14/state-opens-new-visitor-center-at-minnewaska-state-park/5966529002/ |access-date=22 May 2023 |work=Times Herald-Record |date=14 Oct 2020}} OSI specializes in Greenway Trails, converting abandoned rail lines to multi-purpose trails.{{cite news |last1=Quinn |first1=Erin |title=The Open Space Institute unveils ambitious Growing Greenways Plan |url=https://hudsonvalleyone.com/2023/02/10/the-open-space-institute-unveils-ambitious-growing-greenways-plan/ |access-date=22 May 2023 |work=Hudson Valley One |date=10 Feb 2023}} OSI also manages lands that they own in fee or easement.{{cite news |last1=Benton |first1=Ben |title=Cleveland man partners with conservation groups to protect 620-acre Custard Hollow on Cumberland Plateau |url=https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2022/nov/12/cleveland-man-partners-with-conservation-groups/ |access-date=22 May 2023 |work=Chattanooga Times Free Press |date=12 Nov 2022}}

= Research =

OSI conducts research and produces publications in different mediums to inform policymakers, other land trusts, and the public about the benefits of land protection, including the protection of natural resources in the face of climate change and improved access to outdoor spaces for under-resourced communities.

= Grassroots efforts =

OSI fiscally sponsors environmentally-focused grassroots organizations by providing financial and legal oversight. With OSI’s financial and legal oversight, these groups are eligible to receive grants and tax-deductible contributions and can focus on their programming and capacity-building. The participants have ranged from community gardens and land trusts, to environmental educators and promoters of nature-based arts and activities.{{cite web |title=Support |url=https://www.kellystreetgarden.org/support |website=kellystreetgarden.org |access-date=24 May 2023}}{{cite web |title=Donate |url=https://www.nyoutdoorrecreationcoalition.org/donate |website=nyoutdoorrecreationcoalition.org |access-date=24 May 2023}}