Boulder started the Open Spaces & Mountain Parks (OSMP) program in the 1960s to educate visitors about the many different open spaces and mountain parks in the City of Boulder. As volunteers, they love to educate the visitors on how to use bird ID apps like Merlin and reporting apps like E-bird (both free from Cornell University). The volunteers lend their binoculars to passing hikers to get a glimpse of unusual sightings. They have also found some of our best spotting’s have come from chatting with other birders on our trails (and, when offered, using their scopes)!
Dogs-playing-in-a-dog-park
Dog Ambassadors volunteer with their furry companion to focus on modeling appropriate dog/guardian behavior, educating visitors about the voice and sight program, and sharing canine related safety and land stewardship considerations.
De-escalation training as well as emergency training has been helpful to experience, though thankfully have been skills that they have rarely needed. The dog ambassador training was useful, especially understanding why dogs should definitely stay away from prairie dog holes (Nesting rattlesnakes! Bubonic plague carrying fleas!).
OSMP volunteers love learning about the fascinating history of the open space program. A few years ago, they had the honor of attending an OSMP anniversary presentation by some of the originators of the (modern) program back in the 1960’s. They were incredibly impressed at how these founders were able to galvanize the community to tax themselves in order to preserve Boulder’s beautiful public lands. Their foresight in preserving our open spaces has been a gift to the following generations.
They have also volunteered to feed baby lambs for an agricultural open space project, monitored bats, did trail construction, cleaned Boulder creek, and have helped staff the (seasonal) Flagstaff Nature Center. They enjoy the endless variety and new skills offered by volunteering with OSMP. If interested in becoming a OSMP volunteer or dog ambassador, visit their website at Dog Ambassadors | Home | City of Boulder.