OSMP Featured Volunteers: Chautauqua Ambassadors

Chautauqua Ambassadors greet and assist visitors at the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage and adjacent trailheads. Ambassadors provide information on OSMP natural and cultural resources, trails and directions, safety considerations and hiking tips and observe and report visitor issues and inquiries. Hear from five of OSMP's Chautauqua Ambassadors below on their experience volunteering with OSMP.

Rich Wolf

1. What’s your favorite thing to do on open space? Where?

I have spent many happy days hiking in and photographing Boulder's natural lands. OSMP is my muse and I share its beauty with people all over the World through my photography and photo essays.

Now that I can't hike very far anymore, I get vicarious pleasure sending visitors out on the hikes that gave me such joy. I enjoy helping people (and their dogs) from all over the World at the Ranger Cottage, my happy place. I love to share the joys of being here in Boulder.

2. What’s the most interesting facts you’ve learned since you started volunteering for OSMP?

Those comprising the complex geology that's behind the formation of the Flatirons.

3. What skill(s) did you learn while volunteering with us?

As a Visitor Ambassador, I learned to be more of an extrovert as I help visitors to enjoy our diverse trail system. I also learned de-escalation techniques which came in handy during Covid masking.

4. Is there anything else you would like to share?

One of the great joys of volunteering with OSMP is working with other volunteers and talented and dedicated Outreach Staff. We are all bonded by our respect for the land and each other. I've met some extraordinary people and friends through my association with OSMP.

Joe Braidish

1. What’s your favorite thing to do on open space? Where?

I enjoy hiking among the trees, especially to places like May's Point, where I can simply sit still and enjoy what I see and what I feel.

2. What’s the most interesting fact you’ve learned since you started volunteering for OSMP?

It's not a learned fact as much as a confirmed feeling - and it is that everything's connected and that separation is a perception in my mind and not an aspect of nature. I'm not in nature ... I am nature.

3. What skill(s) did you learn while volunteering with us?

Two things come immediately to mind. One, I've had the opportunity recently to learn process steps and useful tactics for responding to visitor emergencies. Two, a particularly fun skill that I've improved during all my time in OSMP has been the ability to slow down, pay closer attention to, and appreciate many of the life forms that make up our natural system.

4. Is there anything else you would like to share?

Since everything's connected, any achievement or recognition I (we) attain is linked to the hard work, generosity of spirit, and caring support of the whole system - most especially the OSMP staff, fellow volunteers, and visitors.

Jane Best

1. What’s your favorite thing to do on open space? Where?

My favorite thing to do on Open Space is to hike multiple trails at Chautauqua or Sanitas….preferably Chautauqua though. I hike 3 days a week and never get tired of the trails and the wildlife.

2. What’s the most interesting facts you’ve learned since you started volunteering for OSMP?

The number of people that come to Chautauqua each year!

3. What skill(s) did you learn while volunteering with us?

I am still learning!

4. Is there anything else you would like to share?

Just a big shout out to all the folks who work for OSMP. Best, kindest, most knowledgeable, and energetic group ever! Thank you!!

Miki Laws

1. What’s your favorite thing to do on open space? Where?

My answer has to be about what I love to do 'in' open space, since I always feel surrounded and accepted and inspired and comforted the moment I step into this welcoming natural world! I can't say one favorite thing, but two: First is getting acquainted or re-acquainted with all my nature friends--rocks, flowers, trees, birds, butterflies--they've all become my 'friends' over the years, and many have distinct personalities and even 'moods'! The mighty Ponderosas can seem strong and silent at times, or playful, when they let go of showers of dry, light snow to fall in sparkling rainbow-colored shafts in the bright sun after a storm, while the rest of the forest stays hushed. Second is to share my love, awe, and respect for this natural world with visitors, especially those visiting it for the first time, by helping them to experience it in whatever ways will best fulfill their hopes and goals.

Chautauqua, of course! Although really, anyplace in the foothills and high places!

2. What’s the most interesting fact you’ve learned since you started volunteering for OSMP?

The incredible diversity of ecosystems and species in the Boulder Open Space lands! Just recently I've heard that there are even hundreds of species of lichens!!! I would have guessed maybe a dozen!

3. What skill(s) did you learn while volunteering with us?

How to not just avoid confrontations, but to find the 'sweet spot' of connection and humor with pretty much everyone I come in contact with on the trails or in the Nature Center. Seeing things through their eyes, and becoming able to enjoy their company and respect their feelings, and finding gentle and agreeable ways to say things they might at first not want to hear, like 'This is not a trail where dogs are permitted', and then briefly explain how the purpose is to protect dogs and the natural world, while being sympathetic and listening to them respectfully

4. Is there anything else you would like to share?

To my surprise, spending more time in nature, and more time with staff and volunteers who love it as I do, has taught me as much or more about my fellow humans as about the wildflowers, birds, and other creatures that I've been studying, and I've come to appreciate the range of personalities who are all variously committed in their own ways to the goals and values of OSMP.

Barry Gordon

1. What’s your favorite thing to do on open space? Where?

Interacting with visitors up at the “Vortex” (intersection of Bluebell Baird and Chautauqua Trail).

2. What’s the most interesting facts you’ve learned since you started volunteering for OSMP?

How much OSMP staff and volunteers impact our community.

3. What skill(s) did you learn while volunteering with us?

The skills I’ve learned while volunteering are CPR and first aid and how to defuse volatile situations.

4. Is there anything else you would like to share?

How lucky I’ve been to be able to work with such wonderful people (staff and volunteers).