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.
Our PARTNERS
