Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. What is the Community Open Space Partnership?
A. COSP is a broad-based network for local action.  COSP is dedicated to improving the biological, social, and economic health of Wisconsin's cities through a web of effective green infrastructure and land use policy reform. 

Q. What is the vision of the Community Open Space Partnership?
A. COSP envisions an expansion of existing community park and natural area systems into a comprehensive network of open spaces in and around cities that enhances economic vitality, sustains natural systems, connects people to the natural world, and increases individual and community well being.  We call this network green infrastructure.  The COSP Charter and Principles will tell you more.

Q.  How does the Community Open Space Partnership focus its efforts programmatically?
A.  COSP is working to:

• Assess urban ecological, economic, and social challenges

• Identify and engage key citizen, business, and political leadership

• Draft and advocate sound environmental policies, laws, and other strategies to address priority challenges

• Secure funding to accomplish Wisconsin's urban green infrastructure goals

Q.  How does the Community Open Space Partnership focus its efforts geographically?
A.  COSP focuses its resources on Wisconsin's 13 designated Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and their contiguous environmental corridors.  You can view a map of these MSAs in Wisconsin at www.dwd.state.wi.us/lmi/msa_map.htm.  In its first phase of program development, COSP is proactively addressing the green infrastructure needs of the greater Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, and Fox Valley Metropolitan Statistical Areas.

Q. What projects serve as examples of successful green infrastructure?
A. You will find examples in the Portfolio of Places.

Q. Who else is part of COSP?
A. COSP had 40 organizational members as of November 6, 2002, including 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, America's Outdoors, Wisconsin Alliance of Cities, the American Society of Landscape Architects (Wisconsin Chapter), the American Planning Association (Wisconsin Chapter), the Trust for Public Land, and the Wisconsin DNR.  See the Member List for details.

Q. How is COSP like other environmental initiatives?
A. Three programs serve the Community Open Space Partnership as important models:  Chicago Wilderness, Canada's Lake Ontario Greenway Trail, and Europe's Urban Green Environment initiative.

Q. How are the efforts of the COSP coordinated with those of other statewide conservation organizations?
A. COSP is working with other statewide conservation organizations, including 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, Gathering Waters, and the River Alliance of Wisconsin, to identify areas of mission compatibility and to coordinate program efforts for maximum benefit.  Specifically, we intend to collaborate on co-sponsoring events and workshops and on policy initiatives.

Q. How can I get involved?  How can my organization/agency/ municipality get involved?
A. Membership in COSP is open to agency, organization, or groupinterested in Wisconsin's green infrastructure.  A Steering Team currently comprised of charter members shapes the direction and work of the Partnership.  For more information, contact 608-255-9877 or saveland.uosf.org.  To join, click on membership.