What does the April ballot success of the Trails and Open Space tax renewal tell us about our community, and how might we use that to address shortfalls in county and city parks funding? Susan Davies, Executive Director of the Trails and Open Space Coalition (TOSC), fills us in. She shares highlights of our areas parks and open spaces, and discusses ways we can improve funding for future needs.

After a 30-year career as a TV journalist in various markets around the country, Susan took the position leading TOSC in 2009. Under her leadership TOSC has tackled several large initiatives including completing the Ring the Peak Trail, supporting Friends Groups across the region, starting a Trail Ambassador and Get Out/Get Healthy Program, empowering neighborhood groups committed to improving trails and parks in underserved areas and most recently the extension of the  City's TOPS (Trails, Open Space and Parks) tax.

LINKS:

Presenter's Slides
https://studio809podcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SIP-presentation.pdf

Trails and Open Space Coalition
https://www.trailsandopenspaces.org/

Info about Colorado Springs Trails, Open Space and Parks Program
https://www.trailsandopenspaces.org/tops/

Pollinator Festival
https://manitoupollinators.org/pollinator-festival-2023

Sustainable and Resilient Pikes Peak Region Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/47914284779

This episode was recorded at the Sustainability in Progress (SIP) virtual event on May 17, 2023. Sustainability in Progress is a monthly program of the Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future. Join us (free) the third Wednesday of every month.

The June 21, 2023 SIP will be: Wildfire Mitigation - with Ashley Whitworth of CSFD
RSVP and get the zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwoce6hqDMoGteK4y9gy1FvOXmVvomlhaxO

The mission of Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future is to promote regional sustainability and advance the Pikes Peak region's sustainability plan (PPR2030) through regional collaboration and outreach. Connect with us at peakalliance.org

The following environment/sustainability organizations in the Pikes Peak region collaborate to produce the Peak Environment podcast about environmental stewardship, sustainable living and enlightened public policy in the Pikes Peak Region.

Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future
https://www.peakalliance.co/

Pikes Peak Permaculture
https://www.pikespeakpermaculture.org/

GrowthBusters
https://www.growthbusters.org

Keep up with all the organizations and events making our area a better place to live. Follow on your favorite podcast app so you don't miss an episode: