What Makes Us Unique

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

BCPOS Volunteer Opportunities: https://bouldercounty.gov/volunteer/p...
Find a trail/park near you: https://bouldercounty.gov/open-space/...
Prairie Run Open Space: https://bouldercounty.gov/open-space/...
Learn more about Agriculture: https://bouldercounty.gov/open-space/...
Learn more about Wildlife Management: https://bouldercounty.gov/open-space/...
Learn more about Forestry: https://bouldercounty.gov/open-space/...
Stay connected with us: https://bouldercounty.gov/open-space/...
NOCO Places 2050 website:  https://www.nocoplaces.com

__________ Contents of this video __________

00:00 – Welcome to the Episode!
00:51 – Honoring 50 Years of Boulder County Parks & Open Space
02:07 – The Vital Role of Agricultural Lands in Conservation
03:28 – Collaborating with Farmers: How It Works in Practice
05:04 – Sustainable Agriculture: A Key to Our Future
07:35 – How Sustainable Agriculture Supports Wildlife and Habitats
11:16 – Fighting Climate Change with Sustainable Practices
12:38 – Restoration Projects: Bringing Our Land Back to Life
13:25 – Walden Ponds: The Legacy of Gravel Mining and Restoration
16:00 – Post-2013 Flood Restoration: Rebuilding Our Landscape
20:20 – Reviving Our Forests: Restoration Efforts in Action
24:17 – Grassland Restoration
25:02 – Native Seed Collection
26:25 – Prairie Run Open Space: Restoration Management
31:41 – Building Strong Partnerships for Successful Conservation
32:12 – The City of Boulder
33:03 – Collaborating with Colorado Parks and Wildlife
33:52 – Managing Prairie Dogs: A Delicate Balance
34:57 – Partnering with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
36:04 – U.S. Forest Service
37:28 – Rocky Mountain National Park: A Collaborative Effort in Visitor Management
37:44 – NoCo Places
38:42 – Community Partnerships
39:49 – Volunteer Opportunities: How You Can Get Involved
45:11 – Recreation on Open Space
46:35 – Mountain Biking and Regional Trails
47:59 – Birding in Boulder County: A Paradise for Nature Lovers
48:36 – Water Activities
49:01 – The Director’s Key Takeaways
52:27 – Wrapping Up
53:33 – Thank You for Watching!

#VoicesOfOpenSpace #BoulderCounty #50YearsOpenSpace

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