In 2007, the County Commissioners and Parks and Open Space staff were inspired by a presentation from Brian O\u2019Neil, the General Superintendent of Golden Gate National Park in San Francisco. O\u2019Neil spoke about the successful Partnership\u00a0Program that Golden Gate developed to help with the stewardship of that public land. His presentation motivated Boulder County Parks and Open Space to expand its community partnerships beyond one-day group volunteer projects and individual volunteer opportunities, to more long-term, ongoing involvement of businesses and organizations in the stewardship of County public lands. In 2008, the Boulder County Parks and Open Space Department\u2019s Partnership Initiative was created.<\/p>\n
One of the Partnerships Initiative\u2019s goals is to involve local business employees and organization members in hands-on long-term stewardship of our county public lands through volunteer opportunities to increase awareness and appreciation of the Boulder County Parks and Open Space program. Today, we have 47 partner groups committed to recruiting between eight and 40 members, at least once a year, to engage in one of our rewarding volunteer projects.<\/p>\n
The success of the Partnership Initiative depends upon our devoted partners and would not be possible without our talented and energetic Volunteer Coordinator Team which has grown from 1.5 employees in 2008 to four team members in 2015. To date, partners have contributed approximately 30,000 volunteer hours, valued at around $700,000, but worth so much more than can be assessed in dollars.<\/p>\n
Plant Ecologist Volunteer Coordinator<\/strong> Carrie received a Bachelor of Science in Conservation Biology from State University of New York and Environmental\u00a0Science and Forestry. Carrie worked field seasons doing wetland delineation in Watertown, NY, High Desert Vegetation research in Burns, OR, and installed long-term wetland monitoring plots at the Great Sand Dunes National Park. She worked for the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks for four years prior to joining our department. Carrie really enjoys connecting with volunteers because teaching and learning are two of her favorite activities. Carrie says, \u201cI always learn something from volunteers. Not only do I get to work with amazing people, I am doing it in the context of plants and restoration. Blending people with nature is the perfect fit for me!\u201d<\/p>\n Trails Volunteer Coordinator<\/strong> Zephyr began her trails career in 1998 with the California\u00a0Conservation Corp Backcountry Program in Yosemite. Since then she has worked in Redwood State Park, Grand Teton, Grand Canyon, Sequoia-Kings, Rocky Mountain, and U.S.\u00a0Forest Service districts throughout the Pacific Northwest. She also spent time in Antarctica as a carpenter helping construct the new South Pole Station. Zephyr loves learning new things, being in the outdoors, and working with volunteers on the trails.<\/p>\n
\nLength of time with department: One and a half years<\/strong><\/p>\nZephyr McConnell<\/h3>\n
\nLength of time with department: three months<\/strong><\/p>\nShane Milne<\/h3>\n