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Today we celebrated the ground breaking on the new Lake Placid trailhead with @openspaceinstitute the Village of Lake Placid @nysdec

The new trailhead will include amenities such signs, benches, bathrooms, and a bike repair station.

As a reminder, please park at the Snow field parking area at 448 Old Military Road during construction.

We’re celebrating a huge improvement for the future Heritage Hill Park in Orange County, NY! Last week, OSI and engineering cadets from the @westpoint_usma, held a ribbon-cutting to unveil a new pedestrian bridge.

Over the past year, the cadets designed and rebuilt a stream crossing. The project provided the cadets with hands-on design and construction experience toward their Civil Engineering degrees, while also enhancing park amenities for public use and enjoyment. This project marks the 10th bridge completed thanks to OSI’s longstanding partnership with West Point, with previous bridges completed at Harriman, Fahnestock, and Schunnemunk State Parks.

Congratulations to the graduating cadets, and thank you to the West Point instructors, Orange County Executive @steve.neuhaus, the Orange County Department of Parks staff, and all whose support made this project possible.

Photos by Steve Aaron

We’re celebrating a huge improvement for the future Heritage Hill Park in Orange County, NY! Last week, OSI and engineering cadets from the @westpoint_usma, held a ribbon-cutting to unveil a new pedestrian bridge.

Over the past year, the cadets designed and rebuilt a stream crossing. The project provided the cadets with hands-on design and construction experience toward their Civil Engineering degrees, while also enhancing park amenities for public use and enjoyment. This project marks the 10th bridge completed thanks to OSI’s longstanding partnership with West Point, with previous bridges completed at Harriman, Fahnestock, and Schunnemunk State Parks.

Congratulations to the graduating cadets, and thank you to the West Point instructors, Orange County Executive @steve.neuhaus, the Orange County Department of Parks staff, and all whose support made this project possible.

Photos by Steve Aaron

We’re celebrating a huge improvement for the future Heritage Hill Park in Orange County, NY! Last week, OSI and engineering cadets from the @westpoint_usma, held a ribbon-cutting to unveil a new pedestrian bridge.

Over the past year, the cadets designed and rebuilt a stream crossing. The project provided the cadets with hands-on design and construction experience toward their Civil Engineering degrees, while also enhancing park amenities for public use and enjoyment. This project marks the 10th bridge completed thanks to OSI’s longstanding partnership with West Point, with previous bridges completed at Harriman, Fahnestock, and Schunnemunk State Parks.

Congratulations to the graduating cadets, and thank you to the West Point instructors, Orange County Executive @steve.neuhaus, the Orange County Department of Parks staff, and all whose support made this project possible.

Photos by Steve Aaron

We’re celebrating a huge improvement for the future Heritage Hill Park in Orange County, NY! Last week, OSI and engineering cadets from the @westpoint_usma, held a ribbon-cutting to unveil a new pedestrian bridge.

Over the past year, the cadets designed and rebuilt a stream crossing. The project provided the cadets with hands-on design and construction experience toward their Civil Engineering degrees, while also enhancing park amenities for public use and enjoyment. This project marks the 10th bridge completed thanks to OSI’s longstanding partnership with West Point, with previous bridges completed at Harriman, Fahnestock, and Schunnemunk State Parks.

Congratulations to the graduating cadets, and thank you to the West Point instructors, Orange County Executive @steve.neuhaus, the Orange County Department of Parks staff, and all whose support made this project possible.

Photos by Steve Aaron

A HUGE and heartfelt thank you to the nearly 300 OSI supporters who joined us this year for OSI’s Conservation & Cocktails celebration. This special evening honored founding OSI Trustee and visionary conservationist Barney McHenry, and celebrated a major milestone in OSI’s work: the protection of more than 100,000 acres in New York’s Hudson Valley — and counting!

During the event, OSI paid tribute to Barney and the McHenry family for their extraordinary commitment to conserving the Hudson Valley and beyond. Barney’s legacy continues in so many ways, including through OSI’s McHenry Awards, which support young Hudson Valley leaders.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who made this celebration so meaningful and to all who continue to support OSI’s mission to protect land for people, wildlife, and future generations.

From the Hudson Valley to the vast wilderness of the Adirondacks, OSI’s conservation and park improvement work throughout New York State in 2025 achieved meaningful results for people, wildlife, and communities. The accomplishments speak for themselves. Last year, OSI:

🗻reached a significant milestone of 40,000 acres protected on and around the Shawangunk Ridge,
🌳protected another 10,000 acres throughout the state through direct acquisitions and additions to state and public parks,
🚴worked with partners to construct nine pedestrian trail bridges in public parks,
💚and so much more.

Explore our 2025 New York Highlights brochure: Link in bio

Lake Awosting is the largest of Minnewaska State Park Preserve’s famed “sky lakes,” perched nearly 2,000 feet above sea level on the Shawangunk Ridge. Originally built in the late 1800s for horse-drawn carriages, the road to the lake still leads visitors to some of the park’s most spectacular views and swimming spots.

Last week, OSI staff visited Minnewaska to tour past OSI-led projects and projects currently in progress, including the Lake Awosting Carriage Road. OSI expects to complete the restoration of the Lake Awosting Carriage Road later this summer.

Over the past 40 years, OSI has more than double the size of Minnewaska through multiple transactions, restored nearly 18 miles of the park’s Victorian-era carriage roads, and fundraised $3 million for the design and construction of the world-class Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center, which opened in 2020.

Lake Awosting is the largest of Minnewaska State Park Preserve’s famed “sky lakes,” perched nearly 2,000 feet above sea level on the Shawangunk Ridge. Originally built in the late 1800s for horse-drawn carriages, the road to the lake still leads visitors to some of the park’s most spectacular views and swimming spots.

Last week, OSI staff visited Minnewaska to tour past OSI-led projects and projects currently in progress, including the Lake Awosting Carriage Road. OSI expects to complete the restoration of the Lake Awosting Carriage Road later this summer.

Over the past 40 years, OSI has more than double the size of Minnewaska through multiple transactions, restored nearly 18 miles of the park’s Victorian-era carriage roads, and fundraised $3 million for the design and construction of the world-class Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center, which opened in 2020.

Lake Awosting is the largest of Minnewaska State Park Preserve’s famed “sky lakes,” perched nearly 2,000 feet above sea level on the Shawangunk Ridge. Originally built in the late 1800s for horse-drawn carriages, the road to the lake still leads visitors to some of the park’s most spectacular views and swimming spots.

Last week, OSI staff visited Minnewaska to tour past OSI-led projects and projects currently in progress, including the Lake Awosting Carriage Road. OSI expects to complete the restoration of the Lake Awosting Carriage Road later this summer.

Over the past 40 years, OSI has more than double the size of Minnewaska through multiple transactions, restored nearly 18 miles of the park’s Victorian-era carriage roads, and fundraised $3 million for the design and construction of the world-class Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center, which opened in 2020.

This spring, OSI staff are participating in volunteer service days across New York. In upstate New York, staff tidied up the Washington Park playground in Albany on behalf of the @washingtonparkconservancy, just days before the City’s signature Tulip Fest event.

In the coming weeks, OSI staff will visit other local parks and community gardens to spread mulch, plant new vegetation, and beautify shared spaces. Together, OSI’s staff is making green spaces lovelier and healthier for plants, wildlife, and people!

This spring, OSI staff are participating in volunteer service days across New York. In upstate New York, staff tidied up the Washington Park playground in Albany on behalf of the @washingtonparkconservancy, just days before the City’s signature Tulip Fest event.

In the coming weeks, OSI staff will visit other local parks and community gardens to spread mulch, plant new vegetation, and beautify shared spaces. Together, OSI’s staff is making green spaces lovelier and healthier for plants, wildlife, and people!

This spring, OSI staff are participating in volunteer service days across New York. In upstate New York, staff tidied up the Washington Park playground in Albany on behalf of the @washingtonparkconservancy, just days before the City’s signature Tulip Fest event.

In the coming weeks, OSI staff will visit other local parks and community gardens to spread mulch, plant new vegetation, and beautify shared spaces. Together, OSI’s staff is making green spaces lovelier and healthier for plants, wildlife, and people!

Access to nature in many areas in and around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Camden, New Jersey, has historically been limited to a collection of green spaces—many of which are vulnerable to development. Now, thanks to a $6 million grant from the @williampennfoundation, OSI will lead an initiative to improve public access to the outdoors in a densely populated region.

Over the next three years, OSI will support local organizations in permanently protecting 1,000 acres, expanding public access to nature and preserving remaining wildlife corridors… and much, much more.

A huge thank you to the William Penn Foundation for supporting this critical work! Stay tuned for grant application details coming in late summer 2026!

Photo Credit: Bill Amos

OSI is honored to be among the first-round recipients of the @duke_energyFoundation’s America250 grants to advance our work strengthening communities and revitalizing shared green spaces in South Carolina.

“As we look back on our country’s 250th anniversary, it’s an opportunity to reflect on our nation’s history while working to support the next generation,” said Tim Pearson, Duke Energy South Carolina president. “We are proud to partner with local organizations who can help care for the Palmetto State now, so future generations can enjoy its beauty. Together, we can create lasting impact in the communities where we live and work.”

We’re so grateful to the Duke Energy Foundation for supporting OSI in our work to help communities connect to nature.

🌄 A key piece of land along the southern end of the Shawangunk Ridge is now protected!

OSI has secured nearly 90 acres between Wurtsboro Ridge and Roosa Gap State Forests, strengthening a regional corridor of protected land. Encompassing lush chestnut oak forests, vital wetlands, and pristine streams, OSI’s acquisition helps safeguard clean water, supports wildlife movement, and creates new possibilities for future trail connections along a section where the Long Path and Shawangunk Ridge Trail unite.

As OSI’s Matt Decker shared, “Landscapes like this are where people create lasting memories, wildlife thrives, and where water begins its journey downstream and eventually into our taps.”

Photo Credit: Greg Miller with illustrative edits by OSI

Last week, OSI’s President & CEO, Erik Kulleseid, was proud to join an engaging panel discussion featuring conservation leaders from New York City as part of a special Earth Day event hosted by @rivianofficial. 🌍

The evening was a great success, spotlighting the impactful work of Rivian Foundation–supported organizations and offering a chance for panelists to share the stories behind their success—and how communities can play a role in protecting nature close to home.

Many thanks to Rivian for convening such an inspiring conversation and to everyone who joined us in New York City for this thoughtful, energizing celebration.

Monday was a beautiful day for outdoor learning! Students from Croton-Harmon High School’s Conservation Civics class joined the Open Space Institute and local leaders for an educational stewardship visit to Croton Landing Park in New York’s Hudson Valley. Formerly an industrial area, the park was saved from large-scale development in the 1990s after OSI, the Village, and partners protected the waterfront property for public use and enjoyment.

After learning how the land was protected, the students discussed the importance of land stewardship, science, public policy, and community care in making conserved lands accessible and welcoming to visitors.

Monday was a beautiful day for outdoor learning! Students from Croton-Harmon High School’s Conservation Civics class joined the Open Space Institute and local leaders for an educational stewardship visit to Croton Landing Park in New York’s Hudson Valley. Formerly an industrial area, the park was saved from large-scale development in the 1990s after OSI, the Village, and partners protected the waterfront property for public use and enjoyment.

After learning how the land was protected, the students discussed the importance of land stewardship, science, public policy, and community care in making conserved lands accessible and welcoming to visitors.

Monday was a beautiful day for outdoor learning! Students from Croton-Harmon High School’s Conservation Civics class joined the Open Space Institute and local leaders for an educational stewardship visit to Croton Landing Park in New York’s Hudson Valley. Formerly an industrial area, the park was saved from large-scale development in the 1990s after OSI, the Village, and partners protected the waterfront property for public use and enjoyment.

After learning how the land was protected, the students discussed the importance of land stewardship, science, public policy, and community care in making conserved lands accessible and welcoming to visitors.

Monday was a beautiful day for outdoor learning! Students from Croton-Harmon High School’s Conservation Civics class joined the Open Space Institute and local leaders for an educational stewardship visit to Croton Landing Park in New York’s Hudson Valley. Formerly an industrial area, the park was saved from large-scale development in the 1990s after OSI, the Village, and partners protected the waterfront property for public use and enjoyment.

After learning how the land was protected, the students discussed the importance of land stewardship, science, public policy, and community care in making conserved lands accessible and welcoming to visitors.

Monday was a beautiful day for outdoor learning! Students from Croton-Harmon High School’s Conservation Civics class joined the Open Space Institute and local leaders for an educational stewardship visit to Croton Landing Park in New York’s Hudson Valley. Formerly an industrial area, the park was saved from large-scale development in the 1990s after OSI, the Village, and partners protected the waterfront property for public use and enjoyment.

After learning how the land was protected, the students discussed the importance of land stewardship, science, public policy, and community care in making conserved lands accessible and welcoming to visitors.

Monday was a beautiful day for outdoor learning! Students from Croton-Harmon High School’s Conservation Civics class joined the Open Space Institute and local leaders for an educational stewardship visit to Croton Landing Park in New York’s Hudson Valley. Formerly an industrial area, the park was saved from large-scale development in the 1990s after OSI, the Village, and partners protected the waterfront property for public use and enjoyment.

After learning how the land was protected, the students discussed the importance of land stewardship, science, public policy, and community care in making conserved lands accessible and welcoming to visitors.

📢 We’re hiring! Join OSI as a Greenway Trails Project Manager!

In this newly created role, we’re looking for a qualified professional to help lead our work transforming former rail corridors into vibrant, public greenway trail networks across the Northeast and Midwest. This role requires experience with real estate transactions, land acquisition, partnership‑building, project management, and more.

📍 Applicants accepted from NY, NJ, CT, and PA!

Apply if you’re passionate about conservation, trails, and turning bold ideas into real, on‑the‑ground projects.

Learn more: Link in Bio

#NowHiring #ConservationJobs