Voices of Open Space

About Voices of Open Space

Welcome to the Boulder County Parks & Open Space Podcast — a storytelling series that explores the heart of our open spaces and the people who care for them. Through conversations with experts, volunteers, staff, authors, and community members, we shine a light on the work of conservation, sustainability, and community stewardship. Each episode brings to life the values, challenges, and triumphs behind preserving and managing our public lands while fostering deeper connections between people and place.

Publisher

Boulder County Parks and Open Space

Category

science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

25 May 2025

Latest episode

1 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

24 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   1 Oct 2026

   Park Bench Banter: Eva Lark with Bruno Pachuca-Osornio: The creativity, craft, and people behind the signs that guide our way

   What does it take to create the signs that welcome you, guide you, and help you find your way across Boulder County’s open spaces? In this episode of Park Bench Banter, host Eva Lark sits down with Bruno Pachuca-Osornio, Graphic Designer and Sign Shop Assistant with Boulder County Parks & Open Space, to meet one of the people behind the signs we encounter every time we visit a trail or open space. For Bruno, sign making is more than graphic design. His days can move from designing and fabricating signs indoors to hauling tools, digging through rocky Colorado soil, hiking trails, installing posts, and maintaining signs across the county. It is a career that unexpectedly brought together his lifelong experience with graphic design and sign making with his desire to work outdoors. Bruno and Eva also explore the important role signs play in making open spaces easier to navigate and more welcoming, including the ongoing work to make signs bilingual. Bruno shares what it has meant to hear directly from Spanish-speaking visitors who appreciate being able to navigate trails in their language. And because this is Park Bench Banter, there is plenty of fun along the way, from surprise bear encounters and playing drums at the historic Caribou Ranch recording studio to action figure photography, favorite open spaces, and a particularly difficult round of Start, Bench, Cut. In This Episode: Meet Bruno and discover what happens behind the scenes in the BCPOS Sign Shop Learn how signs are designed, fabricated, installed, and maintained Discover the color system behind warning, wayfinding, and regulatory signs Hear about the ongoing effort to make open space signs bilingual Find out how graphic design and outdoor fieldwork came together in Bruno’s unexpected career path Hear Bruno’s advice about hard work, opportunity, and being ready when the two meet Travel to the historic Caribou Ranch recording studio, where Bruno could not resist sitting behind the drums Hear about an unexpected encounter with a bear while working in Niwot Discover Bruno’s passion for photography, including the wonderfully niche world of action figure photography Play Start, Bench, Cut with art forms and some favorite Boulder County open spaces Imagine Bruno’s perfect spring workday at Betasso Preserve The next time you arrive at an open space and a sign tells you where to go, what to know, or how to safely enjoy the trail, take another look. There is a person, a process, and a whole lot of work behind it. Original music, including the theme song and all transitional pieces, was composed and performed by Tim Ostdiek.

2. 

   20 Aug 2026

   Tale Feathers: Summer 2026 - Birds, Dinosaurs & Seeing Nature Through a Child’s Eyes

   What happens when you experience the world of birds through the eyes of a five-year-old? In this special summer edition of Tale Feathers, host Eva Lark welcomes the podcast’s youngest guest yet: her five-year-old son, Jasper. Together, Eva and Jasper talk about ospreys, red-winged blackbirds, dinosaurs, migration, favorite adventures at Mud Lake, and the remarkable connection between the birds we see today and their prehistoric ancestors. Along the way, Jasper reminds us that taking a child into nature is not only an opportunity to teach. It is also an opportunity to learn, wonder, laugh, and see the familiar with completely new eyes. Eva also introduces a simple family tradition called “Goodnight to the World,” a few quiet minutes outside before bedtime to notice the birds, animals, sounds, and life surrounding us. Later, meet one of Boulder County’s most recognizable neighbors, the black-billed magpie, discover why wildfire burn areas can become extraordinary habitat for woodpeckers, learn how Boulder County Parks & Open Space helps protect nesting raptors, and find out what birds to watch for as summer begins its transition toward fall migration. In This Episode: Meet Jasper, Eva’s five-year-old son and the youngest guest on Voices of Open Space Discover Jasper’s first identifiable bird and his current favorite Hear the story behind Eva and Jasper’s “Goodnight to the World” family tradition Explore the fascinating connection between birds and dinosaurs Visit Jasper’s favorite Boulder County open space, Mud Lake Meet your neighbor: the intelligent and unmistakable black-billed magpie Learn how Boulder County monitors and protects nesting raptors Discover why burn scars can provide important habitat for woodpeckers Hear about Eva’s remarkable five-woodpecker outing at Heil Valley Ranch Find out what shorebirds, ducks, and hummingbirds to watch for as fall migration begins Whether you are an experienced birder, a parent hoping to introduce a child to nature, or simply someone curious about the birds outside your window, this episode is an invitation to slow down, look closely, and rediscover the natural world with a little more wonder. Because sometimes the best birding companion is five years old. Featured Resources: Are Birds Dinosaurs? It’s official: birds are literally dinosaurs. Here’s how we know - BirdLife International (https://www.birdlife.org/news/2021/12/21/its-official-birds-are-literally-dinosaurs-heres-how-we-know/) Species accounts: Red-winged Blackbird (https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-winged_Blackbird) American Goshawk  (https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Goshawk) Black-billed Magpie (https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-billed_Magpie) Red-headed Woodpecker (https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-headed_Woodpecker) Lewis's Woodpecker (https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Lewiss_Woodpecker) American Three-toed Woodpecker (https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Three-toed_Woodpecker) Original music, including the theme song and all transitional pieces, was composed and performed by Tim Ostdiek.

3. 

   6 Aug 2026

   Park Bench Banter | Jo Daloisio: Trail Work, Volunteer Spirit, and a Whole Lot of Heart

   Trail Work, Volunteer Spirit, and a Whole Lot of Heart What does it take to keep Boulder County's trails safe, sustainable, and enjoyable for everyone? In this fun and laughter-filled episode of Park Bench Banter, host Eva Lark sits down with Jo Daloisio, Senior Volunteer Coordinator with Boulder County Parks and Open Space. From building trails and protecting wildlife to organizing volunteer projects and teaching new skills, Jo shares the joy, purpose, and occasional chaos of working outdoors. With contagious enthusiasm, plenty of humor, and stories that range from elk encounters to Sour Patch Kids and fanny packs, Jo offers an inside look at the people helping care for the places we all love. In This Episode • How Jo discovered trail work through AmeriCorps and found her calling • What volunteer trail projects really look like • Why muddy trail closures help protect open space • The hidden craftsmanship behind great trail design • Building elk-friendly crossings and protecting wildlife • How volunteers leave a lasting legacy on Boulder County's trails • Favorite trails, tools, snacks, wildlife sightings, and rapid-fire fun • Why anyone can become a volunteer, regardless of experience Whether you're an avid hiker, a curious trail user, or someone looking to give back, this episode will leave you smiling and inspired to get outside. Learn more and volunteer: discover.bouldercounty.gov Original music, including the theme song and all transitional pieces, was composed and performed by Tim Ostdiek.

Who has been a guest on Voices of Open Space

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Heidi Wagner
• Stefan Reinold
• Thomas Roth

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

2,970,297

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

11 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

7 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 66 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

64

Social presence

0

YouTube

86

Engagement

85

Contact Voices of Open Space

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.