Voices of Open Space
Welcome to the Boulder County Parks & Open Space Podcast — a storytelling series that explores the heart of our open spaces and the people who care for them. Through conversations with experts, volunteers, staff, authors, and community members, we shine a light on the work of conservation, sustainability, and community stewardship. Each episode brings to life the values, challenges, and triumphs behind preserving and managing our public lands while fostering deeper connections between people and place.
Episodes
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 Co...
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 c...
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 ev...
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...
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...
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 Plann...
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,...
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 co...
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 Ko...
Innovation is at the heart of how Boulder County Parks & Open Space protects and stewards over 107,000 acres of land. In this episode, host Grant Orvis sits down with Heidi Wagner, a long-time planner with Boulder County Parks & Open Space, to explore how innovative thinking, strong partnerships, and ecological knowledge are shaping the future of our landscapes. Topics include wildlife crossings, soil health, stream restora...
What makes Boulder County Parks & Open Space truly one-of-a-kind? In this episode, Education & Outreach Supervisor Eva Lark sits down with Director Therese Glowacki for a rich conversation about the values, partnerships, and projects that set our department apart.
From sustainable agriculture and native seed collection to forest restoration and community collaboration, discover the behind-the-scenes work that supports wildli...
🎙️ Episode Title: The Origin Story
Episode Description: Welcome to the debut episode of Voices of Open Space, celebrating 50 years of Boulder County Parks & Open Space. Melissa and Tina, longtime colleagues, take listeners on a journey through the landscapes, legacies, and bold vision that launched one of the most renowned open space programs in the country. From mountain peaks to agricultural plains, discover how leadership, l...
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