Voices of Open Space

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 w...

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...

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...

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 transformati...

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 prolif...

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...

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...

Did you know cormorants can dive over 100 feet underwater? Or that the Christmas Bird Count has been going strong for 125+ years? In this second episode of Tale Feathers , Eva Lark is joined by Lauren Szabo from Environment for the Americas for a cozy and curious conversation about backyard birds, the mighty California condor, diving cormorants, and how to prepare for winter birding in Colorado. I...

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 tun...

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: •...

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...

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...

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 ep...

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 beha...

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 &...

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...

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 po...

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 Engag...

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 cro...

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-...

🎙️ 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 agricultura...