Voices of Open Space

What does it take to create the signs that welcome you, guide you, and help you find your way across Boulder County’s open spaces?

In this episode of Park Bench Banter, host Eva Lark sits down with Bruno Pachuca-Osornio, Graphic Designer and Sign Shop Assistant with Boulder County Parks & Open Space, to meet one of the people behind the signs we encounter every time we visit a trail or open space.

For Bruno, sign making is more than graphic design. His days can move from designing and fabricating signs indoors to hauling tools, digging through rocky Colorado soil, hiking trails, installing posts, and maintaining signs across the county. It is a career that unexpectedly brought together his lifelong experience with graphic design and sign making with his desire to work outdoors.

Bruno and Eva also explore the important role signs play in making open spaces easier to navigate and more welcoming, including the ongoing work to make signs bilingual. Bruno shares what it has meant to hear directly from Spanish-speaking visitors who appreciate being able to navigate trails in their language.

And because this is Park Bench Banter, there is plenty of fun along the way, from surprise bear encounters and playing drums at the historic Caribou Ranch recording studio to action figure photography, favorite open spaces, and a particularly difficult round of Start, Bench, Cut.

In This Episode:

• Meet Bruno and discover what happens behind the scenes in the BCPOS Sign Shop
• Learn how signs are designed, fabricated, installed, and maintained
• Discover the color system behind warning, wayfinding, and regulatory signs
• Hear about the ongoing effort to make open space signs bilingual
• Find out how graphic design and outdoor fieldwork came together in Bruno’s unexpected career path
• Hear Bruno’s advice about hard work, opportunity, and being ready when the two meet
• Travel to the historic Caribou Ranch recording studio, where Bruno could not resist sitting behind the drums
• Hear about an unexpected encounter with a bear while working in Niwot
• Discover Bruno’s passion for photography, including the wonderfully niche world of action figure photography
• Play Start, Bench, Cut with art forms and some favorite Boulder County open spaces
• Imagine Bruno’s perfect spring workday at Betasso Preserve

The next time you arrive at an open space and a sign tells you where to go, what to know, or how to safely enjoy the trail, take another look. There is a person, a process, and a whole lot of work behind it.

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

What happens when you experience the world of birds through the eyes of a five-year-old?

In this special summer edition of Tale Feathers, host Eva Lark welcomes the podcast’s youngest guest yet: her five-year-old son, Jasper.

Together, Eva and Jasper talk about ospreys, red-winged blackbirds, dinosaurs, migration, favorite adventures at Mud Lake, and the remarkable connection between the birds we see today and their prehistoric ancestors. Along the way, Jasper reminds us that taking a child into nature is not only an opportunity to teach. It is also an opportunity to learn, wonder, laugh, and see the familiar with completely new eyes.

Eva also introduces a simple family tradition called “Goodnight to the World,” a few quiet minutes outside before bedtime to notice the birds, animals, sounds, and life surrounding us.

Later, meet one of Boulder County’s most recognizable neighbors, the black-billed magpie, discover why wildfire burn areas can become extraordinary habitat for woodpeckers, learn how Boulder County Parks & Open Space helps protect nesting raptors, and find out what birds to watch for as summer begins its transition toward fall migration.

In This Episode:

• Meet Jasper, Eva’s five-year-old son and the youngest guest on Voices of Open Space
• Discover Jasper’s first identifiable bird and his current favorite
• Hear the story behind Eva and Jasper’s “Goodnight to the World” family tradition
• Explore the fascinating connection between birds and dinosaurs
• Visit Jasper’s favorite Boulder County open space, Mud Lake
• Meet your neighbor: the intelligent and unmistakable black-billed magpie
• Learn how Boulder County monitors and protects nesting raptors
• Discover why burn scars can provide important habitat for woodpeckers
• Hear about Eva’s remarkable five-woodpecker outing at Heil Valley Ranch
• Find out what shorebirds, ducks, and hummingbirds to watch for as fall migration begins

Whether you are an experienced birder, a parent hoping to introduce a child to nature, or simply someone curious about the birds outside your window, this episode is an invitation to slow down, look closely, and rediscover the natural world with a little more wonder.

Because sometimes the best birding companion is five years old.

Featured Resources:

Are Birds Dinosaurs? It’s official: birds are literally dinosaurs. Here’s how we know - BirdLife International

Species accounts:

Red-winged Blackbird

American Goshawk 

Black-billed Magpie

Red-headed Woodpecker

Lewis's Woodpecker

American Three-toed Woodpecker

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

Trail Work, Volunteer Spirit, and a Whole Lot of Heart

What does it take to keep Boulder County's trails safe, sustainable, and enjoyable for everyone?

In this fun and laughter-filled episode of Park Bench Banter, host Eva Lark sits down with Jo Daloisio, Senior Volunteer Coordinator with Boulder County Parks and Open Space. From building trails and protecting wildlife to organizing volunteer projects and teaching new skills, Jo shares the joy, purpose, and occasional chaos of working outdoors.

With contagious enthusiasm, plenty of humor, and stories that range from elk encounters to Sour Patch Kids and fanny packs, Jo offers an inside look at the people helping care for the places we all love.

In This Episode

• How Jo discovered trail work through AmeriCorps and found her calling
• What volunteer trail projects really look like
• Why muddy trail closures help protect open space
• The hidden craftsmanship behind great trail design
• Building elk-friendly crossings and protecting wildlife
• How volunteers leave a lasting legacy on Boulder County's trails
• Favorite trails, tools, snacks, wildlife sightings, and rapid-fire fun
• Why anyone can become a volunteer, regardless of experience

Whether you're an avid hiker, a curious trail user, or someone looking to give back, this episode will leave you smiling and inspired to get outside.

Learn more and volunteer: discover.bouldercounty.gov

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

For more than 20 years, Jeff & Paige have been helping children discover the wonder of nature through music, storytelling, science, and play. In this episode of Voices of Open Space, they share how their backgrounds in environmental education led them to create one of Colorado's most beloved family music programs, inspiring generations of young people to explore and care for the natural world.

From Meadow Music and memorable characters to their new Rainbow Socks television series, Jeff & Paige reflect on creativity, hope, perseverance, and the profound impact of environmental education on children's lives. It's a joyful and inspiring conversation about music, community, and raising the next generation of nature lovers.

Learn more about Jeff & Paige: https://jeffandpaige.org

Disclaimer: Boulder County Parks & Open Space does not endorse or promote any businesses. References made in this podcast are solely to highlight shared values and recognize cultural landmarks within our community.

What does it mean to stop a problem before it starts?

In this episode of Park Bench Banter, host Eva Lark sits down with Shursteen Sharpe, Early Detection and Rapid Response Specialist for Boulder County Parks and Open Space.

Shursteen’s work focuses on identifying and managing invasive plant species at their earliest stages, often when only a single plant is present. Through careful observation, planning, and collaboration, her work helps protect ecosystems, agriculture, and biodiversity across the county.

From remote fieldwork to data-driven strategy, this conversation offers a rare look into the quiet but critical work of preventing invasive species from taking hold.

In This Episode:

• How invasive plants are detected and managed early
• Why prevention is more effective than large-scale treatment
• The surprising ways plants spread across landscapes
• The role of data in tracking and managing infestations
• Seasonal fieldwork and long days on the landscape
• How volunteers support large-scale conservation efforts
• Tips for homeowners to avoid planting invasive species
• Why this work matters for ecosystems and agriculture

Featured Resources:

• More on Wood Lilies: boco.org/wood-lily
• More on Orange Hawkweed: boco.org/OrangeHawkweed
• See Shursteen and her team in action:
• boco.org/tamarisk
• boco.org/myrtlespurge
• boco.org/RushSkeletonweed
• Learn more about List A and other eradication species: boco.org/NoxiousWeedSpeciesinColorado
• Report an eradication species sighting: boco.org/ReportEeradicationSpecies
• Volunteer Opportunities: boco.org/volunteer

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

Wildfire has always been part of Colorado’s landscape, but the way we experience it is changing.

In this episode, host Sarah Quiroga speaks with David Garcia, Water Resources Wildfire Mitigation Specialist for Boulder County Parks and Open Space, about the evolving relationship between people, land, and fire.

Together, they explore how wildfire behaves, why mitigation matters more than ever, and what individuals and communities can do to reduce risk. From historic ditch systems to modern neighborhoods, this conversation highlights the importance of preparation, awareness, and collective action.

In This Episode:

• Understanding wildfire as a natural process
• The shift from suppression to mitigation
• Climate change and year-round fire risk
• Lessons from the Marshall Fire
• Managing fuel along ditch corridors
• What defensible space really looks like
• Easy steps to protect your home
• Why neighbors matter in wildfire mitigation
• Local programs and financial support for homeowners

Featured Resources:

• Ditch Wildfire Mitigation Program: Ditch Wildfire Mitigation Program - Boulder County
• Boulder County Wildfire Mitigation Program: https://bouldercounty.gov/disasters/wildfires/mitigation/wildfire-mitigation-programs/
• Boulder County $500 Wildfire Mitigation Rebate: https://bouldercounty.gov/news/500-wildfire-mitigation-rebate-opens-two-months-early/
• Wildfire Partners Rebate: https://wildfirepartners.org/rebate/
• City of Boulder’s Wildfire Resilience Assistance Program: https://bouldercolorado.gov/WRAP
• City of Boulder’s Be Wildfire Ready: https://bouldercolorado.gov/wildfireready

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

In Two Directors, Two Eras, recorded late last year, host Tina Nielsen sits down with former directors Ron Stewart and Therese Glowacki for a thoughtful and deeply personal conversation about the evolution of Boulder County’s open space program, reflecting on the leadership, vision, and legacy that have shaped it over time.

From the early, grassroots beginnings in the 1970s to the transformative passage of the open space tax in 1993, Ron shares how a bold community vision helped protect land, prevent sprawl, and preserve agriculture. Therese reflects on a new era focused on stewardship, restoration, and innovation, including forest health, biomass energy, and large-scale ecological restoration projects.

Together, they explore what it took to build trust with the community, protect iconic landscapes, and ensure that Boulder County remains a place where nature, agriculture, and people can thrive together.

As we look ahead, this episode invites us to reflect on the past, honor the people who made it possible, and carry that vision forward.

In This Episode:

• The origins of Boulder County’s open space program and the vision behind it
• How the 1978 Comprehensive Plan shaped land use, conservation, and growth
• The long journey to passing the open space sales tax in 1993
• Early land acquisitions, creative strategies like rolling options, and community advocacy
• Building trust with farmers, ranchers, and landowners across the county
• The evolution from land acquisition to stewardship, restoration, and management
• Innovative projects including biomass energy and large-scale creek restoration
• Stories behind iconic open space areas like Heil Valley Ranch, Hall Ranch, and Haystack Mountain
• The importance of partnerships, community involvement, and long-term vision
• Reflections on leadership, legacy, and the future of open space in Boulder County

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

In this winter episode of Tale Feathers, host Eva Lark explores the joy of birding in every form, from “yard lists” to big community bird walks, and how paying attention to birds can help us feel more grounded where we live.

Eva is joined by Ted Floyd, renowned birder and Editor of Birding magazine, the award-winning flagship publication of the American Birding Association. Ted is also a prolific writer and educator, with more than 200 articles and scholarly works on birds and nature, and has recently revitalized three new National Geographic bird field guides that were published in 2025.

Together, they talk about the many ways people connect with birds, how journaling and curiosity can shape a life in nature, and why birders are so committed to facts, evidence, and learning. You will also meet one of Boulder County’s most common but often overlooked winter birds, the cackling goose, and learn how to tell it apart from the Canada goose. Plus, Ted shares favorite winter birding spots in and around Boulder County, and ways to join the local birding community.

In this Episode:

• Yard birding, life lists, and why there is no right way to be a birder
• Ted Floyd’s path into birding through journaling, observation, and a childhood love of nature
• How birding builds community and creates connection across backgrounds and experience levels
• Field journaling today, including eBird, iNaturalist, photography, audio recordings, and detailed notes
• Birding with kids, starting early, nurturing curiosity, and seeing the world through their eyes
• Behind the scenes of Ted’s 2025 National Geographic field guides and why a field guide can feel like haiku
• Meet Your Neighbor: Cackling Goose and how to tell it apart from the Canada Goose
• Winter goose flocks in Boulder County, including snow goose, Ross’s goose, greater white fronted goose, brant, and hybrids
• What winter bird sightings can reveal about climate change, habitat shifts, and changing migration patterns
• The power of community science and why documenting birds matters
• Favorite winter birding spots in and near Boulder County, plus local outings and upcoming migration events

Featured Resources:

• Spark Bird Stories: https://www.spark-bird.org/
• Bird species profiles:
• Townsend’s Solitaire - https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/townsends_solitaire
• Cackling Goose - https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Cackling_Goose/
• Parks & Open Space Event Calendar: https://discover.bouldercounty.gov/
• Lagerman Agricultural Preserve: https://bouldercounty.gov/open-space/parks-and-trails/lagerman/
• eBird: https://ebird.org/
  Ted’s eBird profile: https://ebird.org/profile/MTEyMDgz/world
• iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/
• Christmas Bird Count: https://www.audubon.org/community-science/christmas-bird-count
• World Migratory Bird Day: https://www.migratorybirdday.org/




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

Sustainability, climate action, and resilience are more than buzzwords in Boulder County. They are a shared commitment and a roadmap for what comes next.

In this episode of Voices of Open Space, host Melissa Arnold sits down with Tim Broderick, Senior Sustainability Strategist at Boulder County’s Office of Sustainability, Climate Action, and Resilience (OSCAR), to explore how local action can lead to lasting change.

Listeners will also join Melissa and Tim onsite as they visit Andy Breiter, founder of Grama Grass & Livestock, who received a Boulder County Soil Health Initiative grant in 2024. Together, they bring the conversation to the ground—showing how regenerative agriculture, rotational grazing, and healthy soils can strengthen climate resilience, support farmers and ranchers, and build a more sustainable future.

From nature-based solutions to community-scale planning, this is a hopeful, practical look at what it means to amplify the power of nature in Boulder County.

In This Episode:

• An introduction to Boulder County’s Office of Sustainability, Climate Action, and Resilience (OSCAR) and how it supports a sustainable, just, and resilient community
• How local climate action takes shape through building decarbonization, transportation electrification, and natural climate solutions
• An onsite visit with Andy Breiter, founder of Grama Grass & Livestock, and a look at how the 2024 Boulder County Soil Health Initiative grant supports regenerative agriculture
• A deep dive into healthy soils, rotational grazing, and why soil health is key to climate resilience and food systems
• How nature-based solutions like beaver habitat restoration, forestry management, green roofs, and biochar can amplify the power of nature
• The role of data, policy, and community partnerships in shaping Boulder County’s climate future
• A hopeful vision for what Boulder County could look like 50 years from now

Featured Resources:

• Boulder County’s OSCAR website: https://bouldercounty.gov/climate/
• Resolution for the 2016 Sustainability tax, has great descriptions of why the residents of BOCO chose to support this https://assets.bouldercounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2016-79-gad-sst-open-space-and-sustainability-0.250pct.pdf
• Nature Based Solutions, Boulder County site: https://bouldercounty.gov/climate/nature-based-solutions/
• Boulder County’s Sustainable Food and Agriculture Fund https://bouldercounty.gov/climate/food-ag-grant/
• Boulder County’s Soil Health Initiative: https://bouldercounty.gov/climate/soil-health-initiative/
• USDA Principles of Soil Health https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/natural-resource-concerns/soil/soil-health
• Zero Foodprint’s Restore Colorado https://bouldercounty.gov/climate/food-and-agriculture/restore-colorado/ (work with restaurants in BOCO, 1% surcharge on bills that goes back to the farms)
• Grama Grass & Livestock https://www.gramagrasslivestock.com/
• Liability Biomass Study https://bouldercounty.gov/climate/forest-waste/ (this is the actual study PDF https://assets.bouldercounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Boulder_Final_Biomass_Report_FNL3.pdf)
• 2021 Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Boulder County, CO, a study that utilized a Consumption-Based Emissions Inventory (CBEI) that looks at Scope 3 emissions, which are not generated directed in the local supply chain (ordering things from Amazon…) Website: https://bouldercounty.gov/climate/2021-ghg-inventory/ and here is the actual PDF of the study: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/b84cd2357f9a4a5f9e094309b692a41e
• Urban Landscape Toolkit https://bouldercounty.gov/news/toolkit-integrating-nature-into-urban-planning-now-available/
• Grey to Green Fund, Sustainability Tax supports this – impervious to pervious https://bouldercounty.gov/government/grants/grey-to-green-fund/

What makes an independent bookstore thrive for over 50 years? Step into one of Boulder’s most beloved cultural landmarks.

In this episode of Voices of Open Space, host Eva Lark sits down with two longtime stewards of Boulder Bookstore—Manager and Head Buyer Arsen Kashkashian and Marketing & Promotions Manager Stephanie Schindhelm—to explore the magic behind an independent bookstore that has shaped community, creativity, and conversation since 1973.

Together, they reflect on their personal journeys, the evolution of Boulder Bookstore over the past five decades, and the vital role bookstores play as a “third place” where ideas, authors, and readers meet. The conversation then turns to an eclectic and thoughtfully curated list of 20 standout book recommendations for 2025, spanning fiction, nonfiction, poetry, children’s books, graphic novels, and local authors—perfect for avid readers, curious explorers, and meaningful gift-givers alike.

Whether you love discovering your next great read, find the perfect gift, or simply want to understand why independent bookstores matter more than ever, this episode invites you to turn the page and linger awhile.

*** DISCLAIMER:  Boulder County Parks & Open Space does not endorse or promote any businesses. References made in this podcast are solely for the purpose of highlighting shared values and recognizing cultural landmarks within our community.

Featured Resources:

• Boulder Bookstore Website: https://boulderbookstore.net
• BB Instagram: instagram.com/boulderbookstore
• BB Youtube: youtube.com/@BoulderBookstore
• Donate to the Literacy Foundation: https://boulderbookstore.net/Foundation
• Upcoming Reader's Retreat: https://boulderbookstore.net/ReadRetreat

Book List (in Order Mentioned):

• Buffalo Hunter Hunter
• Once Upon a Kwanzaa
• The Martians
• Worthy
• Endling
• Butt or Face
• Little Mercy
• Bud Finds Her Gift
• Wanderlust
• Big Jim Believes
• 1929
• Tales of Pirates
• Portrait of Boulder
• The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang
• A Complete Fiction
• Away
• The Correspondent
• Legendary Frybread Drive In
• What We Can Know
• The Coven Tendency
• Gift: Monopoly

🎧 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. (https://linktr.ee/VoicesofOpenSpace)

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