On April 23, the Boulder County Parks and Open Space Department held the annual Land Conservation Awards ceremony. Here are highlights from the special gathering.
Land Conservation Award recognizes notable achievements in preserving Boulder County’s agricultural lands. Keith Bateman is proud to call himself a fifth generation Boulder County farmer. Keith’s great-great grandfather, Adolph Waneka, homesteaded in Boulder County in 1859, and Keith’s father farmed around Waneka Lake when Keith was a child. At 17, Keith borrowed $800 to buy a tractor and leased his first 40 acres of land to begin his own farming career. Keith now farms on thousands of acres of land in the county – over 2,000 of which he leases from Boulder County Parks and Open Space. His commitment to conserving agricultural lands also includes participation on numerous committees including the Cropland Policy Advisory Group in 2011 and as a supervisor for the Boulder Valley Conservation District since 1999. He was given the 2012 Commissioner’s Award for Conservation Excellence by the Commissioner of Agriculture, John Salazar. Keith’s son, Cory Bateman, now farms alongside him and Keith hopes that his two grandsons, ages three and four, will become 7th generation farmers in Boulder County.
Environmental Stewardship Award recognizes individuals or organizations that have promoted land conservation and stewardship practices that respect the interdependent relationship between our community and its valued ecosystems. George and Marti Oetzel were recognized for their coordination of the Boulder County Audubon and Boulder County Parks and Open Space nest box monitoring program since 2005. Each year, 20 volunteers care for and record nesting results from more than 100 nest boxes at Walker Ranch, Betasso Reserve and other open space lands. Results of the project have been published in a national magazine devoted to bluebird recovery. George and Marti have also contributed to other inventory projects, including the Boulder County Nature Association wintering raptor survey. Their combined volunteer efforts have made a huge difference in understanding and recovering birds of special concern in Boulder County.
Heritage Award recognizes achievements in preserving Boulder County’s heritage through substantially privately funded historic preservation projects. The Little Church in the Pines Board including Peter Brady, Thelma Robinson, and Marti Andersonwere recognized for their voluntary efforts to restore and preserve The Little Church in the Pines in Four Mile Canyon. Built in 1902, the wood frame building served the Salina community for the next 46 years as its church and polling place. In 1948, twelve Four Mile Canyon residents purchased and organized the church, naming it The Little Church in the Pines. This group repaired the building, held Sunday school classes and receptions, and in turn made the building a vital part of the community. By the 1970s, the building was in disrepair and in 1998 a group formed to preserve the building and promote its use by anyone in Four Mile Canyon as a “place for spiritual edification, enlightenment, and encouragement.” The long list of repairs and renovations will be soon be completed, and the building will serve the community for many years to come.
Partnership Award recognizes alliances with businesses and organizations around the county that foster a community-based stewardship ethic for the preservation and care of open space. Geocaching Colorado has been an Open Space Partner for four years. Chris Laxson has served as the fearless leader of the organization. As part of the annual “Cache-In-Trash-Out” national effort each April, Geocaching Colorado works to clean up the public open spaces. These strong, hard, fast workers prefer the worst of the worst, including telephone poles, tires, hot tubs, car parts, and refrigerators. Over the past four years, 152 volunteers have contributed 520 hours to trash removal and seed collection. They have removed over six tons of trash and 300-plus tires, and collected approximately 54 bulk pounds of seed. We appreciate their devotion and willingness to work hard and get dirty!
Outstanding Volunteer Awards recognizes individuals whose leadership and support of the department’s volunteer programs have enhanced our community partnerships and improved public service. This year there were two recipients.
Joyce Costello has been a volunteer naturalist since 2008. The department’s Volunteer Naturalist Program ask that volunteers lead at least four programs every year. Over the past five years, Joyce has led at least 115 programs and hikes – averaging about 23 programs per year! While Joyce enjoys sharing nature with all ages, she is recognized among staff and volunteers alike for her expertise in children’s programming. Joyce developed training for all volunteer naturalists which focused on bringing nature to the classroom. Joyce’s passion for nature, love of children, and willingness to share her time and knowledge with others has proven to be a valuable resource for the department, and of great benefit to the Boulder County community.
Megan Bowes has been a volunteer instructor in the Boulder County Native Plant Master Program since the program’s inception in 2008. Not only has Megan taught more classes than any other volunteer, but she has been a mentor for many new instructors. She is been a key liaison to the Colorado Native Plant Society, and has been instrumental in helping the program reach new audiences. Megan has taught an additional “basic botany” class each year which has proved to be very helpful to community members to brush up on their botany skills – allowing a broader audience to take advantage of the native plant master courses’ more advanced materials.