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.
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