On Sept. 18, Boulder County Parks & Open Space (BCPOS) held the annual Conservation Awards ceremony to celebrate the 2024 winners for their outstanding contributions made to the conservation, preservation, and protection of land-based environmental resources as well as their contributions toward connecting our communities to open space. Here are highlights from the special gathering for this year’s recipients:
Land Conservation Award
The Land Conservation Award recognizes contributions that demonstrate notable achievements in preserving Boulder County’s open space lands through the sale or donation of land or conservation easements, donation of funds, or through significant activities that resulted in the preservation of open space.
Conrad Lattes was the Assistant County Attorney for Boulder County, representing BCPOS for 22 years. Over that time, he facilitated the acquisition of more than 55,000 acres of open space lands and conservation easements, which are now permanently protected. Staff appreciated Conrad’s sage advice over the years. His real estate work enables BCPOS to implement all department goals, which include preserving natural resources, cultural resources, and agricultural resources, as well as providing quality recreation and environmental education on county open space.
Environmental Stewardship Award
The Environmental Stewardship Award recognizes contributions and activities that have made a significant impact on the conservation, preservation, and/or protection of Boulder County’s land-based environmental resources through on-the-ground actions or program management.
The Innovation Center of St. Vrain Valley Schools (IC) — specifically Jayme Sneider, Nathan Wilcox, Mai Vu, Axel Reitzig, Joe McBreen, and Darrell Self — makes significant impacts on the conservation and preservation of Boulder County’s environmental resources through on-the-ground actions and program management. These activities include the preservation of threatened wildlife, monitoring of natural ecosystems, and providing hands-on scientific education.
Over the past five years, IC has developed new technologies and methods to successfully restore threatened native wildlife species to private and public land in Boulder County, provided hands-on wildlife management and research experience to a diversity of local students, and continues to develop and deploy innovative technologies for monitoring natural resources — all driven by local students, teachers, and mentors.
IC works with private landowners and multiple government agencies to monitor habitats and release more rare native species. Their student teams effectively reach out to landowners and set up field visits to conduct their work, and frequently present their results to the community.
Outstanding Volunteer Award
The Outstanding Volunteer Award honors individuals whose leadership and support of the BCPOS volunteer programs have enhanced our community partnerships and improved public service. This year, BCPOS bestowed this honor twice.
Trace Baker has volunteered for the Conservation Easement Program since 2018, often monitoring some of the most difficult to reach conservation easement properties. He has been a member of the Volunteer Ranger Corps (VRC) since 2017 and has given nearly 500 hours of volunteer time to that program. Trace kindly offers to help train and mentor new VRC volunteers. Trace has served as a Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee member since 2019 and was chair for two of those years. Trace leaves a positive impression on everyone he meets, not only visitors but also Boulder County staff.
Dianne Marshall has been a Colorado Master Gardener volunteer since 1988. She frequently provides free science-backed education to the public at special events or by answering questions from the public at our many help desks or information booths. As a longstanding member of the Tree Team, Dianne provides on-site consultations with homeowners struggling with diseased trees. Dianne recognizes the importance of trees in our landscape and their value — monetary and emotional — and her compassion in these situations reflects that. She volunteers regularly to serve as a mentor to new Master Gardener apprentices. Staff is lucky to have Dianne as an active member of our program, and Boulder County residents are lucky to have her expertise guiding their home horticulture environment.
Community Connections Award
The Community Connections Award recognizes individuals, families, community groups, and organizations for programs and activities that have made a significant community impact and/or reach underserved residents of Boulder County. These programs include activities that connect the community to open space values, goals, and access to public parks and trails.
Luna Cultura: Adriana Luna creates meaningful learning experiences for Mexican and Latinx culture, connecting art to social and environmental justice. Adriana created a community-led exhibit “Relatos de la Madre Tierra” or “Tales from Mother Earth” with about 40 local artists from different backgrounds and ages. This year, she collaborated with BCPOS on a Mother’s Day walk, “Caminata con Mama,” at Bald Mountain Scenic Area.
Las Aventuras de San Lazaro: Susana Rodriguez has connected more than 70 residents from her community, San Lazaro, to parks and open space lands within and near Boulder County. Susana has provided our community with a variety of outdoor connections, including interpretative hikes at BCPOS properties, first-time camping opportunities at Golden Gate State Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, CPR/First Aid classes and certifications, mountain bike clinics for San Lazaro teens, and astronomy and night programs. She assists Boulder County and City of Boulder in providing trainings to San Lazaro residents to empower them to lead their own outdoor excursions.