Volunteer Spotlight: Cori Westcott
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 Cori Westcott, OSC volunteer & member and Operation Clean Stream Trip Leader. Cori has volunteered with OSC to remove invasive bush honeysuckle, plant natives and in 2019 she co-lead a... Read More
Your Input Needed! Restoration of Former Proposed Ice Facility Site in Creve Coeur Lake Park
In 2017, when the Open Space Council learned about a proposal to construct a privately-operated ice hockey complex on public land in Creve Coeur Lake Park, our organization immediately coordinated a coalition that stopped the detrimental facility from being built in the park. While the industrial-sized ice hockey facility was not built, 40 acres within... Read More
February 28 & 29: Willow Staking Volunteer Opportunity
Join the Open Space Council for two volunteer workdays to harvest willow stakes from George Winter Park on Friday February 28th and then plant them on the riverbank at Lower Meramec Park the following day, Saturday February 29th. Willow staking is an innovative technique that helps stabilize eroding riverbank by providing a natural plant root... Read More
Happy Birthday, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Today we commemorate the birthday of civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Across the country, volunteers are participating in service projects to help better their communities in his honor. Many service projects take place in National Parks, which today are fee free to celebrate Dr. King Jr. and his dream of justice and... Read More
Days to Celebrate the Great Outdoors
Everyday is a great day to enjoy nature but if you have trouble making time to get outdoors, consider planning a simple day hike on one of these days celebrating open spaces. Whether the day is designated nationally or internationally, take some time to step outside and connect with the natural world – through a hike,... Read More
Keep Water Fowl Healthy
Though it can be tempting to feed your local water fowl day-old bread, it is in fact very unhealthy for geese and ducks to consume these human foods. Many parks now feature signs reminding visitors to leave the sandwich bread at home and instead support wildlife in other ways. Feeding water fowl human foods like... Read More
Get Outdoors: Bee Tree Park
If you’re looking for a family-friendly park, a place to fish, or an interesting history lesson, plan a visit to Bee Tree Park in St. Louis County! The park features five walking/hiking trails, a 10-acre lake stocked by the Missouri Department of Conservation for fishing, places to picnic, and a lovely view of the Mighty... Read More
First Day Hikes – Ring in 2020 By Getting Outdoors!
Looking for a great way to start the new year? Take part in a “First Day Hike” in a local open space on January 1, 2020. Share the day with friends, family and other community members by getting outdoors and experiencing Missouri’s public lands in the beauty of winter. First Day Hikes take place across... Read More
Update: Willow Stakes in Lower Meramec Park
It has been almost 10 months since Operation Wild Lands volunteers harvested 350 willow stakes in George Winter Park and planted them along ~6,000 square feet of barren riverbank in Lower Meramec Park. The willows were planted as part of a pilot project to help combat soil erosion on the riverbank using a native plant... Read More
OSC honored with St. Louis Audubon Conservation Advocate Award
The Open Space Council was honored as a co-recipient of the St. Louis Audubon’s 2019 Outstanding Conservation Advocate award. The award was given to the Yes for Our Parks Campaign Committee, of which the Open Space Council was a key leader. Current OSC Board President Scott Emmelkamp and Former OSC Executive Director Katherine Dockery attended the... Read More