| | | OSI Welcomes Erik Kulleseid as New President & CEO
The Open Space Institute (OSI) is thrilled to welcome Erik Kulleseid as President and CEO. The appointment marks Kulleseid’s return to OSI after five years of service as Commissioner of New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. During his original eight-year tenure at OSI, Kulleseid launched OSI’s Parks initiative, which has grown into a programmatic pillar with transformative projects in New York, New Jersey, and South Carolina. Kulleseid succeeds Kim Elliman, who retired in early April after 32 years of dedicated and innovative leadership. Click the link below to view a short video introducing Kulleseid.
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| | | | OSI Helps Scout Motors Conserve 5,000 Wetland Acres
OSI and Scout Motors have announced the protection of 5,000 acres of wetlands in Richland County, South Carolina. Scout selected OSI to help protect the wetlands as part of their efforts to establish local manufacturing operations elsewhere in the county. Now, thanks to OSI’s agile efforts, the property will live on as a permanent haven for wildlife and the public. |
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| | | | Boonton Reservoir Trail Honors Conservation Leader
OSI, family members, and local officials from New Jersey’s densely populated Morris County announced that a planned 7-mile trail at the Boonton Reservoir will be named for local conservation and public access advocate, Kim Wentworth. The announcement brings the OSI-led Boonton Reservoir Protection and Trail Project one step closer to reality. |
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| | | | OSI Launches New Community Trail Study
OSI has launched a comprehensive study to evaluate opportunities to connect and enhance the O&W Trail Corridor in New York’s Ulster, Sullivan, and Orange Counties. As part of the effort, community residents are encouraged to share their thoughts at an upcoming open house or by completing a short online survey, available in English and Spanish. |
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| | | | Apply for Land & Climate Catalyst Planning Grants
The Land and Climate Grant Program, offered by OSI and the Land Trust Alliance (LTA), supports efforts by land trusts, state or federally recognized tribes, and other groups to integrate climate science into land protection and stewardship. Since the program’s launch in 2020, OSI and LTA have awarded more than $1 million in grants and technical assistance. Apply by May 17. |
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| | | | Growing Greenways on “Close To Home”
Listen as OSI’s Annie Bergelin and Tatum Justice discuss recent wins toward OSI’s Growing Greenways initiative on “Close to Home,” a podcast of WJFF Radio Catskill. Bergelin and Justice discuss how the regional trail project can transform accessibility and recreation, and provide off-road, alternative transportation options in New York’s Catskill and Shawangunk regions. |
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