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 with mountain lions
• Stories of wildfire and flood recovery
• Why closures (wildlife, seasonal, muddy trail) matter
• Elk management and adaptive strategies
• The vital role of volunteers
• Introducing Dottie, the search-and-rescue dog

Featured Resources

• • Volunteer with Parks & Open Space
  • Elk Management
  • Heil Valley Ranch Cal-Wood Recovery
  • Flood Recovery Projects
  • Parks and Trails
  • Parks & Open Space Regulations
  • Boulder County man leaves animals behind as he flees CalWood Fire

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 fermented berries, and marvels at the elegance of the osprey, our local "fish hawk."

Along the way, Eva offers gems for curious birders and nature lovers alike, from the national rise in birdwatching to local hotspots like Lagerman Reservoir and the mesmerizing Osprey Cam.

Eva closes the episode with a look ahead to what autumn holds in Boulder County’s skies and fields. Whether you're a lifelong birder or just curious about the creatures in your backyard, this short and sweet episode invites you to pause, listen, and fall in love with birds all over again.

Featured Resources:

• USFWS Report on Birdwatching in America
• TEDx Talk: Why Bird Song Is More Than Beautiful
• eBird – Track and Report Bird Sightings
• Spark Bird Stories – Share Your Moment
• Boulder County Osprey Cam
• Lagerman Reservoir – Birding Hotspot
• Parks & Open Space Event Calendar

Birds in the Spotlight:

• Arctic Tern
• American Avocet
• American Robin
• Osprey
• Winter Warblers of South Florida

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 Planning Supervisor
• • Ecological responsibility and long-term restoration
  • Limber pine conservation
• Cassandra Schnarr: Agricultural Resource Specialist
• • Partnering with leaseholders and integrating resource values on working lands
  • Honest collaboration and equity in land use
• Will Towle: Buildings & Historic Preservation Supervisor
• • Prioritizing preservation with limited resources
  • Visioning a future of more inclusive historical narratives
• David Hirt: Research Program Supervisor
• • Restoring damaged ecosystems and fens
  • Healing landscapes—and the people who steward them
• Stefan Reinold: Resource Management Division Manager
• • Interdisciplinary collaboration and climate adaptation
  • Wildfire mitigation and sustainable planning
• Bevin Carithers: Chief Park Ranger
• • The joy and unpredictability of service
  • Building trust across diverse communities
• Brian Bartel: Historic Preservation Field Supervisor
• • Hands-on service and responsiveness to community needs
  • Keeping parks welcoming, functional, and accessible

  
  

Themes Explored:

• Stewardship as care and accountability
• Sustainability beyond the environment—into systems and relationships
• Service as humility, presence, and showing up for others

Links and Resources Mentioned

Wetland Plants: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLnxLpyMvw6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=Y2JlY3Ntdmo5cHA0

Open Space Management: https://bouldercounty.gov/open-space/management/

Limber Pine Planting: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7m8zF2NdKv/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=eGFjbmpncDRweTV3

The Ranger in You: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9Qidy-h3fz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=ZWs0d211cG11d3p2

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

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#VoicesOfOpenSpace #BCPOS #Stewardship #Sustainability #Service #ClimateAdaptation #EcologicalRestoration #PublicLands #ColoradoNature #CommunityCare #InclusionInConservation