2024 Annual Report

In 2024 Education & Outreach (E&O) staff and volunteers reached 21,509 people through 443 activities. Outreach staff and volunteers contacted 57,925 people through Chautauqua Ranger Cottage, trail, and trailhead Presence on the Land (POTL) outreach efforts.

Service 1: Welcoming Visitors & Community Members and Having a Presence on the Land

Ranger Cottage

Chautauqua Trail with The Flatirons in the background, all covered in light snow.

In 2024, Outreach staff made 36,968 contacts with visitors to the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage. The cottage was open year-round with reduced hours in December.

Presence on the Land (POTL)

Volunteer Trail Guide providing information to a mountain biker.

POTL project highlights from 2024 include: North Sky grand opening, Vesper Trail, Boulder Valley Ranch trails project, Marshall Mesa, South Boulder Creek restoration work, and fire closures. As part of POTL, Outreach made 20,957 contacts with the public.

Events

Education and Outreach staff at OSMP's booth at the Farmer's Market.

Education & Outreach (E&O) staff participated in many community events such as the Boulder County Farmer’s Market, Tulip Fairy & Elf Festival, Boulder Pride Festival, Bee+ Boulder Festival, What’s Up Boulder, Munchkin Masquerade, and Lights of December Parade. E&O staff reached 6669 people through 15 events.

Service 2: Building an Understanding of Land Management Priorities

Public Programs

Junior Rangers in yellow shirts and hard hats working at White Rocks.

In 2024, staff and volunteers engaged 321 participants through 16 Understanding Land Management programs, addressing topics such as wildfire and wildlife management, and Habitat Conservation Areas (HCAs). One example, the "Escape to White Rocks" program, sought to deepen understanding of OSMP land management priorities while cultivating awe and wonder in HCA spaces. Emphasizing outreach to underserved communities and youth, a Junior Ranger crew took part in both an educational program and a stewardship project.

Voice & Sight Education

Volunteers at the Doo It event at Dry Creek.

A total of 4,083 people completed the virtual Voice & Sight Education Course in 2024. At the annual Doo It event, 300 total flags were placed at Dry Creek and Boulder Valley Ranch to mark dog waste that was left around the trail. During the educational event, 390 contacts were made with dog guardians to further educate about the importance of picking up after our dogs.

Service 3: Developing Visitors’ Environmental Literacy

Public Programs

Participants on an environmental education program studying the rocks.

OSMP educational programs promote knowledge of local ecosystems, fostering connections and a sense of place. Topics include wildlife, insects and pollinators, raptors, plants, biodiversity, seasonal changes, and ecosystem health. This year, staff and volunteers engaged 298 participants through 22 environmental literacy programs. The Firefly Tailgate program, for instance, encourages exploration of OSMP wetland ecosystems and the insects that inhabit Sawhill Ponds.

Service 4: Serving and Engaging Diverse Backgrounds and Abilities

Spanish Speaking Communities

Participants on a Lil Explorers bilingual hike.

Through 44 bilingual activities, OSMP engaged 863 Spanish speakers and strengthened relationships with community partners. Programs such as Fishing is Fun, Celebrando el Día de la Mujer art hike, and the ‘Lil Explorers programs highlight OSMP’s commitment to bridging the gap between Boulder’s Spanish-speaking community and accessible, nature-based experiences on open space. ‘Lil Explorers, a collaboration of OSMP, Thorne Nature Experience and Boulder Housing Partners (BHP) was recognized with the 2024 BHP Partnership Award.

Indigenous Peoples' Heritage

Education & Outreach (E&O) staff actively participated in the Tribal Nations Working Group and Ethnographic Education Report interviews with Tribal Nations, making significant contributions to the development of the 4th grade curriculum for The Peoples' Crossing. Staff also supported planning efforts for the Ft. Chambers interpretive healing trail.

People Experiencing Disabilities

An adaptive mountain bike program with participants on mountain bikes and hand-cycles.

Served 1,536 people experiencing disabilities and people wanting to understand outdoor accessibility. Staff led 44 adaptive equipment/accessibility trainings, programs, rides, and presentations; 9 disability hikes; and 7 accessibility events.

Underserved Audiences

Participants on an Out in Nature program.

From teens to elders, in 2024 Out in Nature reached 1,220 members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community through 23 programs and two outreach events. Folks came from as far as Fraser, CO for a chance to connect in nature with community over crafts, wellness activities, and queer ecology.

Service 5: Enabling Visitors to Address Global Climate Change

Climate Change Programs

Volunteers working in the Ann Armstrong Native Plant Garden at Chautauqua.

In addition to leading a climate resilience program, E&O staff coordinated experiences at the Ranger Cottage Native Plant Garden In 2024, volunteers helped with 129 hours of weeding, transplanting, and seed collections of over a dozen native perennial and shrub species. On July 17, 2024, the native garden was re-dedicated to Ann Armstrong, in celebration of and in honor of her 80th birthday. This garden is over 35 years old and serves as a pollinator pathway, connecting visitors from all over to the native plants of Boulder.

Service 6: Building Youth Leaders and Stewards

School and Youth Group Programming

A total of 6,299 PK-12 youth participated in 143 field trips, assemblies, and classroom programs, including OSMP wildlife education for 3rd graders, Jeff and Paige musical assemblies, the 4th-grade Colorado Ecosystems and Stewardship program, and outdoor learning with middle and high school students and youth groups. These programs provide youth opportunities to connect with nature and explore ecological and stewardship concepts.

Family Programming

Through prairie hikes and nature art valentines to a tea party, E&O staff brought the words of nature-based stories, play and outdoor learning to life for 5202 participants through 38 programs and events.

Stewardship

Junior and Youth Rangers and 4th grade Crest View Stewardship Project (49 reaching 713 youth).

A child holding a notebook looking out at a pond.

Service 7: Serving and Engaging Diverse Backgrounds and Abilities

Recreation

Several people enjoying a picnic at Wonderland Lake.

Recreation programs such as Full Moon Sunset Hikes, Trail Challenge Hikes, and Fishin Fun programs continued in 2024. These programs reached 75 participants through 11 programs.

Wellness

A large group of people dancing at Sunrise Amphitheater on Flagstaff Mountain.

OSMP engaged 817 people through 41 wellness activities, including Sunrise Yoga, Recovery and Wellness OSMP, and OSMP and the Arts series. Participants connected with forest, wetland, and prairie ecosystems through yoga, forest bathing, drawing, dancing, singing, and music. Local artists, farmers and Boulder Community Health staff supported by OSMP staff and volunteers, facilitated meaningful, contemplative experiences for the community.

Initiatives

Boulder’s Nature Everywhere Initiative is a citywide effort to connect youth to nature, from local neighborhoods to wilderness areas. With a team from nine city departments and expanding community partnerships, the initiative focuses on providing equitable access to nature for Boulder’s youth and families. Our vision is a Boulder where all youth feel connected to nature, supported by family and friends, hopeful about their future, and empowered to protect nature. Key priorities include equity for marginalized youth, accessibility for kids with disabilities, and fostering kinship with nature and each other. OSMP is implementing this approach at Wood Brothers and Sawhill Ponds, enhancing these spaces for nature discovery, outdoor learning, and youth leadership opportunities.

Testimonials

Spanish Speaking programs

"Hasta yo ya esperaba las tardes, yo en realidad cancelaba otras cosas porque me gustaba ver a mi hija jugar"

“Even I was waiting for the afternoons, I in reality canceled other things because I liked to see my daughter play” ‘Lil explorer dad

OSMP and the Arts

"You gave us a magnificent morning of music, natural beauty, and happiness. Being a part of people coming together through rhythm and movement touched me deeply. Everyone I talked with there was full of joy from being at the event" - Danza Latino Americana Participant

Nature Discovery

“ We went to the OSMP event at Teller Farm and Loved it! such great activity for my 4 yo and glad I could stay the whole time. I’d love to attend more “

School Field Trip

“I would definitely book this field trip again. I thought it was really effective. I thought the volunteers were all gerally good. (…) I felt like everybody thought all the great volunteers were great and super well prepared and dealt the with kids well. And so, I would say it inspires me to go do it again – AC Teacher

Public Programs

“I've lived in Boulder for 30 years and I'm an experienced hiker, but I would have been reluctant to do this moonrise hike without a pro to reassure me. This was a fantastic growth experience.”​

“Thanks for creating content for queer residents to connect with nature and meet folx. Everyone was super lovely and Basil is a wonderful facilitator. They seemed so enthused with everything being shared and I appreciated the arts and crafts at the end of the walk. Thanks for doing this and looking forward to doing more in the future!​”

Education & Outreach Data

Education and Outreach Service Number of
Activities 		Number of
Participants 		Staff Contacts: Trail,
Trailhead, and Ranger Cottage
SERVICE 1: Welcoming Visitors and Community Members and Having a Presence on the Land

15

6,669

57,925

SERVICE 2: Understanding Land Management Priorities

16

321

SERVICE 3: Developing Visitors’ Environmental Literacy 

24

349

SERVICE 4: Serving and Engaging Diverse Backgrounds and Abilities

104

2,175

SERVICE 5: Enabling Visitors to Address Global Climate Change  

1

40

SERVICE 6: Youth Leadership and Building Stewards

230

11,071

SERVICE 7: Offering Responsible Recreation and Wellness Programs  

51

884

Grand Total

441

21,509

57,925