Save Open Space was founded in 1970 as a new Dallas environmental group. Save Open Space (SOS) led preexisting environment groups to unite. The new environmental movement included SOS and AIR QUALITY; League of Women; American Association of University Women; Sierra Club; and Texas Committee on Natural Resources (TCONR), now known as the Texas Conservation Alliance.
Aggressive leadership from churchmen, scientists, club groups, architects, lawyers, and other professionals resulted in:
Saving Bachman Creek from channelization and fighting unnatural channelization attempts on other Dallas area natural creeks.
Educating and influencing policy regarding conspicuous Dallas Creeks and Springs, including Turtle Creek.
Championing county purchase of future parklands: (1) Defining three purposes for aMaster Plan, (2) Acquisition Bonds, (3) Access right-of- way Bonds.
Winning editorial Park Land. Support from the Dallas Morning News.
Conceiving and helping bring abut the vote for a Dallas County Open Space Bond Program resulting in the creation of major preserves in the County and the setting aside of funds for further purchases of park land.
Creation of an Escarpment Ordinance.
Development of a Tree Ordinance and later modification.
Spotlighting the ecological need to maintain marshes. Pointing out the fact that placement of White Rock Lake silt should require removal, rather than relocation along the lake's edge. A political coalition of SOS and Homeowners successfully forced the city to relocate the dredging from the lake.
Defeating the ill-conceived Trinity Barge Canal and bringing attention to the Trinity Floodway and Flood Polices.
Political influence of appointments and endorsements.
Winning the fight in Grand Prairie to move motorcycle trails away from a nature preserve.
Participation in rezoning cases.
Save Open Space's broader goal is that of public education on sound land use and wise ecological planning. This involves preparation of information for important public hearings and presentations before city, regional, state and federal entities, along with providing background for news media -strongly supporting the enforcement of critical tree and escarpment ordinances and for water concerns, etc. as well.
SOS Members have been honored on numerous occasions for their successful efforts to improve the environment on behalf of the citizens or our area. |
