Boulder County Parks & Open Space is proud to announce the launch of its new podcast series, Voices of Open Space, a storytelling journey into the heart of public lands and the people who care for them.
Voices of Open Space Podcast Series
Parks & Open Space Podcast
Voices of Open Space invites listeners behind the scenes to explore how conservation, sustainability, and community stewardship shape the loved landscapes. Through authentic conversations with naturalists, volunteers, scientists, land managers, authors, and community members, the series highlights the values, challenges, and triumphs of preserving and protecting Boulder County’s open spaces.
The podcast is available on all major platforms.
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 wildlife, welcomes recreation, and restores natural systems across 107,000+ acres.
In This Episode
- How Boulder County is celebrating 50 years of open space
- The role of agricultural lands and partnerships with farmers
- Sustainable agriculture and its impact on wildlife habitat
- Restoration efforts:
- Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat (former gravel mine)
- Post-2013 flood recovery
- Forest and grassland restoration
- Native seed collection
- Prairie Run Open Space
- Collaborations with:
- City of Boulder
- Colorado Parks & Wildlife
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
- U.S. Forest Service
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- NoCo Places
- Volunteer programs and recreation opportunities:
- Mountain biking and regional trails
- Birding and wildlife viewing
- Water-based recreation
- Therese’s personal takeaway on what makes this work meaningful
Welcome to the debut episode of Voices of Open Space, celebrating 50 years of Boulder County Parks & Open Space. Melissa Arnold and Tina Nielsen, 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, local action, and community values shaped the open spaces cherished today.
In This Episode
- Boulder County’s unique geography and ecological diversity.
- What “open space” means—and why it matters.
- Key moments in open space history, from the 1960s to the 1990s:
- The Blue Line.
- The Comprehensive Plan.
- Founding of the Parks & Open Space department in 1975.
- The pivotal 1993 sales tax vote.
- Reflections from Melissa and Tina’s decades in real estate and planning.
- Acknowledging Indigenous communities and the legacy of colonization.
- Visionary leaders like Ron Stewart and Carolyn Holmberg.
- Early landmark acquisitions: Betasso Preserve, Rock Creek Farm, and Walden Ponds.
- The 50th anniversary theme: Rooted and Reaching.
Listeners can expect new podcast episodes featuring diverse voices and topics ranging from prairie restoration and wildlife research to youth engagement and the evolving role of public lands in community life. Whether you’re a lifelong local or new to the area, Voices of Open Space will hopefully inspire you to see the land and your role in it in a new way.
Coming up in future episodes:
- Innovations in Open Space
- Volunteer Programs: The Heart of Our Mission
- The Values That Shape Our Work
- Conservation Easements
Parks & Open Space’s 50th Anniversary
Boulder County Parks & Open Space is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Since 1975, Parks & Open Space has worked to conserve natural, cultural, and agricultural resources and provide public uses that reflect sound resource management and community values.
The theme for this milestone year is “Rooted and Reaching: Celebrating 50 Years of Conservation and Community in Boulder County.” It reflects both where the department has been and where it is headed. The new podcast series is part of this celebration, aiming to inspire, educate, and connect listeners through a range of engaging and diverse topics.
Contact Us
Parks & Open Space
Pouria Montazeri
posmultimedia@bouldercounty.gov