Boulder Open Space says youth programs reached 10,500 people; citywide Nature Everywhere launch planned
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Summary
Open Space and Mountain Parks staff told trustees Dec. 11 that education and outreach programs reached 10,500 youth and families across 219 programs in 2024, and staff outlined partnerships with Boulder Valley School District, Boulder Housing Partners and community groups to expand equitable access.
On Dec. 11, 2024, the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) education team told the Open Space Board of Trustees it reached 10,500 youth and families through 219 programs this year and outlined plans to deepen school and community partnerships.
The presentation, led by Curry Rosado, education and outreach manager for OSMP, said the department offers a continuum of programming that connects preschool through 12th‑grade students, families and youth groups with field trips, assemblies and stewardship projects. Rosado said the work aligns with the OSMP master plan and the city's Nature Everywhere initiative and stressed both participation metrics and equity in program design.
Rosado highlighted the department’s partnership network, including Boulder Valley School District (BVSD), Boulder Housing Partners and community groups such as Thorn Nature Experience, Growing Up Boulder and the Boulder Open Space Conservancy. Rosado said the programs reached students in schools and on open space lands, with 5,000 students served through school‑based programs this year and 131 school programs delivered to 20 BVSD schools, independent schools and homeschool groups. “Children need nature, nature needs children,” Rosado said, summarizing the department’s rationale for sustained youth engagement.
Partners who spoke at the meeting described how the programs operate on the ground. Claudia Perez, a resident services coordinator with Boulder Housing Partners, said OSMP’s Little Explorers program has helped families: “We really appreciate the commitment and the inclusivity curriculum that promotes a strong sense of belonging and community in Boulder Housing Partners.” Dr. Geeta (Gita) Carroll of Boulder Valley School District said OSMP’s work is essential and added, “We can’t do that work without partners like OSMP.”
Staff described a range of offerings: the Sombrero Marsh 2nd grade wetlands field trip (20th year), a 3rd grade wildlife education series, a Colorado ecosystems field trip and stewardship extension for 4th graders, a pilot middle‑school climate field trip with NCAR, and junior‑ranger and internship opportunities. Rosado noted programs intended to increase inclusion—examples cited included Camp Indigo (programming for trans, nonbinary and gender‑expansive youth) and the Little Explorers collaboration with Boulder Housing Partners.
Trustees pressed staff on outreach beyond BVSD, equity screening tools OSMP uses to prioritize program access, and whether staff can provide trend lines and demographic breakdowns of participation. Rosado said the department uses an equity screening instrument and partners with local organizations to reach underrepresented youth; she also confirmed staff track evaluation data and can provide additional trend reporting.
Rosado said the city‑level Nature Everywhere initiative—formerly the Boulder Youth Nature Initiative—will launch in spring and aims to coordinate city departments and community partners to expand equitable access to nature across neighborhoods. Trustees thanked staff and partners and asked for follow‑up materials and more detailed trend reporting.
The board had time to ask questions and did not take formal action on the presentation. OSMP staff said they will continue to report implementation details and evaluation results to the board.
