Volunteer Spotlight: Sean Tracy

The Open Space Council’s land & water conservation efforts are made possible by our amazing volunteers & members! In this post, we’re excited to spotlight Sean Tracy! Sean has volunteered with Operation Clean Stream and our Operation Wild Lands efforts with a special focus on removing invasive honeysuckle – one of his least favorite plants! Sean is passionate about tackling this invasive problem and helping native habitat thrive in our parks system. 

How did you become involved in the Open Space Council?

After walking the Chubb Trail years ago – and continually ever since – and seeing who one of its guiding founders was [R. Walston Chubb who is the trail’s namesake was a founding member of the Open Space Council], I looked up the Open Space Council on the internet and discovered that the organization sponsored volunteer opportunities. For years, I had known of the stream cleanups on the Meramec River and decided to participate in the cleanups. I retired in August 2014 and had been looking for some outdoor or environmental organization to support with all of my now-free time. Since then, depending on my other commitments, if I’m available, I volunteer with the Open Space Council in its efforts, especially eradicating honeysuckle, a bane of mine.

Why do you like being involved in local conservation efforts?

I can see the fruits of my labors.  I also meet like minded people who share my love and passion for the outdoors.  

What is your favorite open space in the St. Louis Region?

I visit the Lower Meramec Greenway regularly to walk since it is close to my house.  Because of their lack of honeysuckle, I would have to say my favorite open space to visit would either be Meramec State Park or Hawn State Park.  Once honeysuckle starts to green up in the spring, I really do not care to walk in the woods around St. Louis. They seem to be so claustrophobic.  I enjoy seeing beyond the shrubby honeysuckle into the woods and the geology that can be seen.   

Sean (in the middle back row!) at a group honeysuckle hack day on the Al Foster Trail in 2018. Thanks to volunteer efforts to remove honeysuckle along the trail, you can now see through the forest to the Meramec River.