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.

In This Episode:
• Northern Flicker: ground-loving woodpecker
• Spark Bird stories 🪶
• Tips for birding in the snow ❄️
• Christmas Bird Count traditions 🎄
• A condor encounter that might just make you cry

Featured Resources:
Parks and Open Space Foundation: https://preservebouldercounty.org/
Environment for the Americas: https://environmentamericas.org/
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Condor Work: https://science.sandiegozoo.org/species/california-condor
Spark Bird Stories: https://www.spark-bird.org/

Bird species profiles:

• Northern Flicker
• Sandhill Crane
• Neotropic Cormorant
• California Condor

Christmas Bird Count: https://www.audubon.org/community-science/christmas-bird-count
Parks & Open Space Event Calendar: https://discover.bouldercounty.gov/

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

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 tundra, our county holds an incredible variety of ecosystems packed into less than 40 miles.

But when you picture Boulder County’s open space, what comes to mind? A moose at Caribou Ranch? Tracks in the mud? A bald eagle overhead? We often notice wildlife long before we notice the plants that make their lives—and ours—possible.

In this episode, Director Therese Glowacki sits down with three members of the Boulder County Parks & Open Space Plant Ecology Work Group:

• David Hirt, Senior Plant Ecologist with 28 years of service

• Carrie Cimo, Plant Ecologist and Volunteer Program Manager of 11 years

• Brad Winckelmann, Plant Ecologist who has contributed to many major vegetation projects over the past 6 years

Together, they explore what “plant blindness” means, why it matters, how it affects conservation, and how we can all learn to see the plants that shape our ecosystems. They break down this concept with clarity, passion, and years of field experience, helping us open our eyes to the extraordinary world of plants all around us.

• Colorado Natural Heritage Program (https://cnhp.colostate.edu/)
• iNaturalist (www.inaturalist.org)
• Colorado Native Plant Society (https://conps.org/)
• Boulder County Parks and Open Space Volunteer Opportunities (https://bouldercounty.gov/volunteer/parks-and-open-space/)

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

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:
• Ranger Sully Tun-Ake — Program Coordinator• Julietta Rozin — former participant & current mentor• Ranger Sarah Andrews — Caribou Ranch• Ranger John Queen — Hall Ranch

They share stories of confidence-building, mentorship, identity, and the joy of seeing teens fall in love with nature — sometimes for the very first time.

If you enjoy this episode, please like, subscribe, and share. It helps more people discover the important work happening across our parks and open spaces.

📌 In this Episode:

• How LHOC empowers teens outdoors
• Monthly base camps + Saturday service challenges
• Hands-on skills: winter survival, trail work, first aid
• Building confidence, agency, and leadership
• Mentorship, squad structure, and belonging
• Exploring careers in natural resources
• Ride-alongs, job shadowing, career fairs
• Stories of transformation and returning participants
• Ranger perspectives from the early days
• Why community + stewardship matter in Boulder County

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

To learn more, visit: https://bouldercounty.gov/open-space/get-involved/left-hand-outdoor-challenge/