ABOUT OSRP
HOW WE BEGAN
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, it is clear that Western North Carolina’s streams, rivers, and wetlands are no longer equipped to safely manage the increasingly frequent extreme weather events impacting our region. While North Carolina has historically succeeded in moving stormwater quickly, it has not always done so safely or sustainably. Even in years of high rainfall, we face a paradox of devastating floods followed by record-level droughts and wildfires.
A solution lies in our "Open Spaces." North Carolina contains approximately 5 million acres of land managed by national and state parks, forests, game lands, and land trusts—an area larger than the state of New Jersey. These lands offer an opportunity for large-scale stream and wetland restoration with minimal impact on private property or existing infrastructure. Founded in the spring of 2025, the Open Spaces Resiliency Project was established to transform this need into a resilient future.
WHAT WE ARE ABOUT
OUR MISSION
OSRP exists to improve resiliency through the creation and restoration of wetlands and to expand habitats that sustain both people and wildlife.
OUR VISION
The Open Spaces Resiliency Project envisions a resilient North Carolina where healthy rivers, wetlands, forests, and open spaces sustain both people and wildlife. Through innovative, nature-based restoration that slows, spreads, sinks, stores, and shares water, OSRP is helping create landscapes that are better prepared for drought, wildfire, and climate change while expanding and reconnecting habitat for endangered species so communities and wildlife can thrive together for generations to come.
HOW TO SUPPORT OSRP
OSRP has an agreement with Southern Conservation Partners, a 501(c)3 non profit organization, to be our fiscal sponsor. For more information on what that means, please see the following page on their website.
Donations or grants to OSRP may be made through our fiscal sponsor (please designate OSRP as the intended beneficiary of your contribution). You may mail a check to SCP’s address or donate by credit card via SCP’s PayPal, Benevity or Zeffy accounts and specify the OSRP project your intend to support.
MAILING ADDRESS
Southern Conservation Partners, PO Box 33222, Raleigh, NC 27636-3222
Meet the Team
Our team is made up of professional volunteers that have donated countless hours of their time and talent to support the effort to build resiliency and wetlands in Western North Carolina.
PROJECT DIRECTOR
Jeff Gray
Jeff is a retired transactional attorney who spent 26 years specializing in real estate for one of the nation’s largest retailers. Throughout his career, Jeff gained extensive experience navigating complex environmental challenges, including settling stormwater violations with the EPA and collaborating with the Conservation Law Foundation in Vermont around stormwater permits. He is known for developing creative solutions that bridge the gap between conflicting environmental and commercial objectives. Jeff holds undergraduate, MBA, and J.D. degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has previously served on the Board of Advisors for the Blue Ridge Rural Land Trust (now the Blue Ridge Conservancy) and various other civic organizations.
PROJECT DESIGN CONSULTANT
Duane Coen
Duane Coen is a retired landscape architect with over 45 years experience in stormwater management, erosion and sediment control, stream design and restoration. He has served as president of North Carolina Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects, served on the Board of Certified Professionals in Erosion and Sediment Control, and helped develop the state’s Construction General Permit. As statewide Water Quality Director for Trout Unlimited he participated in several restoration projects and completed Dave Rosgen’s River Restoration and Natural Channel Design courses.
Duane managed an award winning Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program for a national retail corporation. After retirement he continued to consult with the corporation for over 10 years. He holds an undergraduate degree from Oregon State University and a Master of Landscape Architecture degree from North Carolina State College of Design and is a registered landscape architect (RLA) and an Emeritus Member of ASLA.
COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT
Michele Miller Houck
Michele is a communications and marketing professional with more than 30 years of experience in advertising, nonprofit leadership, and experience design across digital and in-person platforms. After transitioning to the nonprofit sector, she served as Associate Executive Director of Carolina Raptor Center, helping lead a major capital campaign and the development of a joint facility with Mecklenburg County. She later co-founded the NC Science Trail.
Through her consultancy work, Michele has supported organizations including Sullenberger Aviation Museum, Charlotte Center City Partners, and Levine Museum of the New South, specializing in strategic communications, audience engagement, and mission-driven storytelling.
PROJECT ADVISORS
Open Spaces Resiliency Project
Alexa Whipple, project director for Methow Okanogan Beaver Project
Alison Zak, founder and executive director of the Human-Beaver Co-existence Fund
Chris Norcross, doctoral student in earth sciences at N.C. State and Water Resource Institute Fellow
Grant Buckner, Northern watershed director for Catawba Riverkeeper
Jeff Davis, retired civil engineer with career experience in water and wastewater treatment facilities
Dr. Sandra Clinton, researcher and associate professor at UNC-Charlotte, Department of Earth, Environmental & Geographic Sciences
Tony Able, Hydrogeologist P.G.
Chair, Southeast Beaver Alliance and retired EPA scientist
Will Harman, P.G.
Principal Fluvial Geomorphologist for Stream Mechanics
Our PARTNERS
