Have you ever heard of the phenomenon called plant blindness?
Most people haven’t—and yet it shapes the way we understand nature, conservation, and even our own backyard.

Boulder County is home to more than 1,600 native plant species—half of all native plants found in the entire state of Colorado. Thanks to the dramatic rise of the Rocky Mountains and the steep elevation changes from plains to tundra, our county holds an incredible variety of ecosystems packed into less than 40 miles.

But when you picture Boulder County’s open space, what comes to mind? A moose at Caribou Ranch? Tracks in the mud? A bald eagle overhead? We often notice wildlife long before we notice the plants that make their lives—and ours—possible.

In this episode, Director Therese Glowacki sits down with three members of the Boulder County Parks & Open Space Plant Ecology Work Group:

• David Hirt, Senior Plant Ecologist with 28 years of service

• Carrie Cimo, Plant Ecologist and Volunteer Program Manager of 11 years

• Brad Winckelmann, Plant Ecologist who has contributed to many major vegetation projects over the past 6 years

Together, they explore what “plant blindness” means, why it matters, how it affects conservation, and how we can all learn to see the plants that shape our ecosystems. They break down this concept with clarity, passion, and years of field experience, helping us open our eyes to the extraordinary world of plants all around us.

• Colorado Natural Heritage Program (https://cnhp.colostate.edu/)
• iNaturalist (www.inaturalist.org)
• Colorado Native Plant Society (https://conps.org/)
• Boulder County Parks and Open Space Volunteer Opportunities (https://bouldercounty.gov/volunteer/parks-and-open-space/)

Original music, including the theme song and all transitional pieces, was composed and performed by Tim Ostdiek.

This episode takes you inside the Left Hand Outdoor Challenge (LHOC) — a free outdoor leadership and community engagement program designed for Boulder County high school students. Through monthly base camps and Saturday service challenges, LHOC gives teens hands-on experience in trail work, stewardship, winter survival skills, volunteerism, and outdoor careers.

Host Bethany Eveleth speaks with:
• Ranger Sully Tun-Ake — Program Coordinator• Julietta Rozin — former participant & current mentor• Ranger Sarah Andrews — Caribou Ranch• Ranger John Queen — Hall Ranch

They share stories of confidence-building, mentorship, identity, and the joy of seeing teens fall in love with nature — sometimes for the very first time.

If you enjoy this episode, please like, subscribe, and share. It helps more people discover the important work happening across our parks and open spaces.

📌 In this Episode:

• How LHOC empowers teens outdoors
• Monthly base camps + Saturday service challenges
• Hands-on skills: winter survival, trail work, first aid
• Building confidence, agency, and leadership
• Mentorship, squad structure, and belonging
• Exploring careers in natural resources
• Ride-alongs, job shadowing, career fairs
• Stories of transformation and returning participants
• Ranger perspectives from the early days
• Why community + stewardship matter in Boulder County

Original music, including the theme song and all transitional pieces, was composed and performed by Tim Ostdiek.

To learn more, visit: https://bouldercounty.gov/open-space/get-involved/left-hand-outdoor-challenge/

Among the many who have helped shape Boulder County Parks & Open Space’s fifty-year journey stands Ann Cooper—a volunteer naturalist, educator, and writer who has dedicated nearly five decades to sharing the beauty of our open spaces. Her story intertwines with the department’s own—from leading pond adventures at Walden Ponds to inspiring generations of children and families to become “Nature Detectives.”

In this heartfelt conversation, host Larry Colbenson, former Natural History Program Coordinator, reunites with Ann to reflect on the evolution of the Volunteer Naturalist Program, the power of curiosity, and the enduring magic of teaching children to see the world with wonder.

Together, they remind us that open space is more than land—it’s a living classroom, a gathering place, and a gift that continues to grow with each new generation.

✨ A tribute to those who give their time, their knowledge, and their hearts to the land—and to the spirit of service that has shaped fifty years of Parks & Open Space.

The episode includes:

• Trust-building & community co-creation
• Inclusive hiring, power-sharing, and belonging at work
• Accessibility: transcripts and universal design that help everyone
• Indigenous ways of knowing; thinking across generations
• Flood & wildfire recovery (e.g., St. Vrain), working with nature
• Adaptive management, competing objectives, and funding realities
• Care, connection, and culture as resilience

Original music, including the theme song and all transitional pieces, was composed and performed by Tim Ostdiek.

In the values series finale, host Elisabeth Rios-Brooks gathers Boulder County Parks & Open Space staff to explore our last two guiding values.
For Inclusion, she speaks with Emma Dhimitri (Community Health Specialist, CSU Extension), Jarret Roberts (Deputy Director of Community Amenities), and Lucero Torres (Senior Park Ranger) about building true belonging—from outreach and inclusive hiring to “planning for the outliers” so everyone benefits.

For Resilience, she’s joined by Justin Atherton-Wood (Planning Group Supervisor), Ernst Strenge (Senior Planner), and Sharla Benjamin (Engineer) to examine systems-level resilience: caring for one another, learning from the land, and designing projects that bounce forward after floods and fires.

Topics & themes: trust-building with underserved communities; inclusive hiring and power-sharing; equitable service delivery; accessibility (transcripts & universal design); Indigenous ways of knowing; flood and wildfire recovery; adaptive management on the St. Vrain; caring cultures at work; belonging as a resilience strategy; transparency and long-view planning.

Subscribe to Voices of Open Space for more stories from the field, the forest, and the folks behind the work.

Original music, including the theme song and all transitional pieces, was composed and performed by Tim Ostdiek.

Resident Ranger Kevin Grady joins host Melissa Arnold to reveal what park management really looks like, well beyond recreation. Hear his mountain lion encounter, how staff rebuilt after the Cal-Wood Fire and the 2013 flood, why wildlife/seasonal and muddy-trail closures matter, how elk management works, and the volunteer power behind it all—plus hear about Dottie, his search-and-rescue pup.

The episode includes:

• A close encounter with mountain lions
• Stories of wildfire and flood recovery
• Why closures (wildlife, seasonal, muddy trail) matter
• Elk management and adaptive strategies
• The vital role of volunteers
• Introducing Dottie, the search-and-rescue dog

Featured Resources

• Volunteer with Parks & Open Space
• Elk Management
• Heil Valley Ranch Cal-Wood Recovery
• Flood Recovery Projects
• Parks and Trails
• Parks & Open Space Regulations
• Boulder County man leaves animals behind as he flees CalWood Fire

In this debut episode of the Tale Feathers mini-series, Eva Lark takes flight into a heartfelt and wonder-filled journey through the birds and birding joys of summer 2025 in Boulder County.

Blending the soothing soundscape of Hall Ranch’s Antelope Trailhead with personal storytelling, Eva shares her moving “spark bird” moment and reads a poem by Emily Dickinson. She highlights surprising bird behaviors, like tipsy robins feasting on fermented berries, and marvels at the elegance of the osprey, our local "fish hawk."

Along the way, Eva offers gems for curious birders and nature lovers alike, from the national rise in birdwatching to local hotspots like Lagerman Reservoir and the mesmerizing Osprey Cam.

Eva closes the episode with a look ahead to what autumn holds in Boulder County’s skies and fields. Whether you're a lifelong birder or just curious about the creatures in your backyard, this short and sweet episode invites you to pause, listen, and fall in love with birds all over again.

Featured Resources:

• USFWS Report on Birdwatching in America
• TEDx Talk: Why Bird Song Is More Than Beautiful
• eBird – Track and Report Bird Sightings
• Spark Bird Stories – Share Your Moment
• Boulder County Osprey Cam
• Lagerman Reservoir – Birding Hotspot
• Parks & Open Space Event Calendar

Birds in the Spotlight:

• Arctic Tern
• American Avocet
• American Robin
• Osprey
• Winter Warblers of South Florida

The Values That Shape Our Work – Part 2

In the second part of our three-part series, host Elisabeth Rios-Brooks explores three more of the seven guiding values at Boulder County Parks & Open Space: Stewardship, Sustainability, and Service.

Through heartfelt stories and deep reflections, this episode highlights how these values are not just principles—but lived commitments.

Featured Guests & Topics:

• Shane Milne: Forest Planning Supervisor
• Ecological responsibility and long-term restoration
• Limber pine conservation
• Cassandra Schnarr: Agricultural Resource Specialist
• Partnering with leaseholders and integrating resource values on working lands
• Honest collaboration and equity in land use
• Will Towle: Buildings & Historic Preservation Supervisor
• Prioritizing preservation with limited resources
• Visioning a future of more inclusive historical narratives
• David Hirt: Research Program Supervisor
• Restoring damaged ecosystems and fens
• Healing landscapes—and the people who steward them
• Stefan Reinold: Resource Management Division Manager
• Interdisciplinary collaboration and climate adaptation
• Wildfire mitigation and sustainable planning
• Bevin Carithers: Chief Park Ranger
• The joy and unpredictability of service
• Building trust across diverse communities
• Brian Bartel: Historic Preservation Field Supervisor
• Hands-on service and responsiveness to community needs
• Keeping parks welcoming, functional, and accessible

Themes Explored:

• Stewardship as care and accountability
• Sustainability beyond the environment—into systems and relationships
• Service as humility, presence, and showing up for others

Links and Resources Mentioned

Wetland Plants: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLnxLpyMvw6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=Y2JlY3Ntdmo5cHA0

Open Space Management: https://bouldercounty.gov/open-space/management/

Limber Pine Planting: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7m8zF2NdKv/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=eGFjbmpncDRweTV3

The Ranger in You: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9Qidy-h3fz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=ZWs0d211cG11d3p2

Original music, including the theme song and all transitional pieces, was composed and performed by Tim Ostdiek.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Subscribe to Voices of Open Space on your favorite podcast platform to hear more stories from the field, the forest, and the folks behind the work.

#VoicesOfOpenSpace #BCPOS #Stewardship #Sustainability #Service #ClimateAdaptation #EcologicalRestoration #PublicLands #ColoradoNature #CommunityCare #InclusionInConservation

From leading nature hikes in the 1970s to restoring flood-damaged landscapes and preserving cultural heritage, volunteers have been at the heart of Boulder County Parks & Open Space since the very beginning. In this inspiring episode, host Sarah Quiroga speaks with longtime former Education & Outreach supervisor Pascale Fried, who dedicated over three decades to building and nurturing a culture of volunteerism.

Together, they explore how a handful of passionate community members helped shape a thriving volunteer program that now spans ecological restoration, history interpretation, wildlife monitoring, and more. You'll hear stories of resilience after natural disasters, the joy of community service, and the lasting impact of giving back to the land.

Whether you're a current volunteer, a fan of Boulder County’s open spaces, or simply curious about how one county empowered thousands of residents to become stewards of the land, this episode will leave you feeling inspired.

In This Episode:

• How Boulder County’s volunteer programs began—with just 10 naturalists and a shared passion for nature
• The story behind the first cultural history programs at Walker Ranch
• How episodic volunteer projects evolved from Cub Scouts and community members into a department-wide effort
• The creation of a dedicated volunteer coordinator role—and the momentum it sparked
• Stories of restoration after the 2013 flood and how volunteers made a tangible impact
• Highlights from decades of volunteer work: trail building, wildlife monitoring, seed collection, historic preservation, and more
• Reflections on the power of community, collaboration, and learning through service
• How multi-generational families and lifelong volunteers shaped the department's culture
• Why people choose to volunteer—and what they gain from it

Links and Resources Mentioned:

• Volunteer Opportunities: https://boco.org/bcposVolunteer
• Images Magazine: https://boco.org/images
• Nature Detective Kids Club: https://boco.org/NatureDetectives

Original music, including the theme song and all transitional pieces, was composed and performed by Tim Ostdiek.

Ever wonder why there are miles of open farmland, wildlife corridors, and protected views along your commute through Boulder County? Those scenic stretches may not be an accident—they might be conservation easements.

Join hosts Liz Northrup, Conservation Easement Program Supervisor, and Tim Carden, Conservation Easement Stewardship Specialist, for a deep dive into one of Boulder County’s most powerful land conservation tools: the conservation easement.

This episode reveals the unseen side of open space—40,000 acres of private land protected in perpetuity through voluntary agreements between landowners and Boulder County. With over 850 easements to manage, stewardship is no small task.

Highlights Include:

• What a conservation easement actually is, and how it works
• The surprising benefits to landowners, from tax benefits to legacy preservation
• Behind-the-scenes stewardship: wildlife encounters, weed control, and trust-building
• Stories from the field, including moose sightings, regenerative farming with pigs, and meaningful landowner collaborations
• A heartfelt interview with Keith Owen, a conservation award-winning landowner, on his 25-year journey of transforming a tree nursery into thriving native grasslands

From the agricultural plains to the forested peaks of Eldora, this episode is a testament to the people and policies that make Boulder County’s landscapes so vibrant and enduring.

• The Conservation Easement Program website
• Our handout, "What is a conservation easement?"
• The Boulder County Comprehensive Plan
• The Land Trust Alliance website. The Land Trust Alliance is a national organization supporting conservation easements throughout the country, and they list other conservation easement holders if a listener is joining us from outside of Colorado and wants to find their local land trust.
• The Keep It Colorado website. Keep It Colorado is another organization that supports conservation easements, specifically in Colorado. They also list conservation easement holders in Colorado, in case a listener joining us from outside Boulder County, but within Colorado, wants to find their local land trust.

🎧 Subscribe to Voices of Open Space on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen and join us in protecting what makes Boulder County wild, rooted, and resilient.

Original music, including the theme song and all transitional pieces, was composed and performed by Tim Ostdiek.

Boulder CountyThere's an invisible force guiding actions, decisions, and implementation at Boulder County Parks and Open Space. When it's present, we move with more alignment, care, and integrity. These are our values.

In this first of a three-part series, host Elisabeth Rios-Brooks explores two of the seven core values that guide Boulder County Parks & Open Space: Innovation and Engagement.

Wildlife Supervisor Mac Kobza, Historic Preservation Field Supervisor Mike Lohr, and Forestry Specialist Scott Golden share how curiosity, collaboration, and creativity shape their work. Later, Amanda Hatfield and Jim Drew reflect on how meaningful engagement builds trust, community, and connection to the land.

This episode brings together diverse voices and stories that show how our values aren’t just ideals—they’re lived every day.

In This Episode

• What it means to live your values at Boulder County Parks & Open Space
• How Innovation shows up in wildlife management, historic preservation, and forestry
• Collaborating with youth and schools (e.g., St. Vrain Innovation Center)
• Development of the solar-powered tool trailer
• Innovation through cross-boundary wildfire mitigation
• Deep reflections on privilege, allyship, and inclusive community building
• Why Engagement is more than outreach—it’s relationship-building
• Volunteerism as a form of connection, service, and belonging
• The impact of intentional community involvement across programs
• Personal reflections from staff on how values shape their daily work

Links and Resources Mentioned:

• The Innovation Center of St. Vrain Valley Schools (https://innovation.svvsd.org)
• Northern Leopard Frog (https://innovation.svvsd.org/programs/student-project-teams/data-science-team/northern-leopard-frog)
• Prairie Dog Management  (boco.org/PrairieDogManagement)
• Middle Boulder Creek Fuels Reduction Partnership Project (boco.org/MiddleBoulderCreek)
• The Boulder Watershed Collective (https://www.boulderwatershedcollective.com)
• The Watershed Center (https://watershed.center)
• BCPOS Volunteer Opportunities (boco.org/POSVolunteerOpportunities)
• Harvest of All First Nations and the Corn Festival at (https://hafnco.org)
• Agricultural Heritage Center (boco.org/AHC)
• 3-D model of the LHOC solar trailer (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/lhoc-solar-trailer-concept-31e27786fe9d4ec3a4446e5a240bb0de)
• library of historic structures within Boulder County (https://sketchfab.com/Michael.Lohr/collections/boulder-county-8d23290bb35c40e28f45839e29362537)

🎧 Subscribe to Voices of Open Space on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.

Original music, including the theme song and all transitional pieces, was composed and performed by Tim Ostdiek.