Open-space app "Agents of Discovery" expands county outreach with mascot 'Agent Douglas'

Darcy Wilson, open space administrative assistant for Douglas County Open Space and Natural Resources, presented the county's Agents of Discovery mobile app and introduced the program mascot "Agent Douglas." Wilson said the free app offers "play anywhere" missions for users of all ages and abilities and partners with the Douglas Land Conservancy and historic preservation programs to deliver educational content.

"This is Darcy Wilson with Open Space and Natural Resources, and I'm extremely honored to present our Agents of Discovery app," Wilson said. She told commissioners the program moved from paper pamphlets to a digital mission format, expanded from 12 missions a year to 33, and recorded 841 completed missions in seven months. Wilson added the digital shift produced an immediate first-year savings of about $10,000 by reducing printed materials.

Wilson described efforts to include seniors and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through "play anywhere" options and partnerships with senior centers and organizations such as Wellspring and ARC. She also said staff plan in-classroom presentations and community appearances with the mascot to boost engagement.

Commissioners praised the program's reach and inclusion. One commissioner said the program "really reaffirms our commitment as a board" to preserving and activating open space and highlighted recent land preservation north of 200 acres in Highlands Ranch. The commission opened the public-comment period and, seeing none, treated the presentation as informational only; no board action was taken.