This year, we celebrate a momentous occasion—our 60th anniversary in 2025. Founded in April 1965 by visionary leaders like Leo Drey, Davis Biggs, and Byron Schubel, Open Space STL was born as the St. Louis region’s first activist environmental and conservation group. These pioneers recognized the need for action to protect the region’s natural treasures, and their early efforts led to the creation of iconic spaces like Queeny Park, Bee Tree County Park, the Chubb Trail, and Castlewood State Park.
As we approach this milestone, we honor the legacy of those who came before us, including Ron Coleman, our inaugural Executive Director, whose leadership laid the foundation for the organization’s enduring impact. Open Space STL remains as passionate and steadfast as ever in its commitment to protecting our natural environment, saving threatened lands, and leading by example both locally and nationally.
One of the clearest examples of our enduring leadership is Operation Clean Stream, the longest-running watershed cleanup event in America. This year’s event was a powerful reminder of why our work matters. I’m reminded of Berton Roueché’s evocative words in The New Yorker in 1975, as he described the serene beauty of the Meramec River and his hope that it might remain unspoiled for future generations:
“The river, winding in from behind a point of woods on the right, was wide and slow and a shining bottle green… It was the loveliest countryside I had ever seen in America — the loveliest and the most serenely peaceful and fulfilling.”
Those words capture the essence of why we do what we do. Today, thanks to the passion and dedication of our volunteers, staff, and board members, the Meramec and so many other places of natural beauty remain protected and restored. As we close this year, we celebrate not only the work we’ve done but the promise of the future—of lands conserved, watersheds restored, and lives enriched through access to nature.
Looking ahead to 2025, we are filled with hope and ambition. The year will be a time to honor six decades of environmental leadership, to reflect on our shared achievements, and to inspire the next generation of conservationists. We are reminded of Henry David Thoreau’s wisdom:
“Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.”
Nature sustains us, uplifts us, and connects us. It is our privilege to protect it. On behalf of Open Space STL, I thank you for your unwavering support, which allows us to carry forward this vital work. Together, we are making a difference—today, tomorrow, and for the next 60 years.