“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.”
“Los que contemplan la belleza de la tierra encuentran reservas de fortaleza que perdurarán toda la vida.”
- Rachel Carson, The Sense of Wonder
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November Speaker Series:
Nov. 9, Wednesday,
7 p.m.
(Virtual)
“The Black-footed Ferret: Demise, Recovery, and Continuing Challenges” with Tyler Tretten
Get introduced to the black-footed ferret–what it is, where it lives (and used to live), what led to its near extinction, what the National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center has done for the past 40 years to prevent extinction, and what they are looking to do in the future to accomplish recovery.
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Large Markel Squash
The Open Space and Trails Department thought you might enjoy a chuckle and piece of Broomfield history. While looking through some old pictures of the Markel Open Space, we found a photo of this squash that a Broomfield community member was growing on their property next to the Markel Open Space property several years ago. The squash got so large that it developed onto the open space. The resident named their squash "The Great Pumpkin Charles."
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Friends of Broomfield History: Historic Site Tours
Friends of Broomfield History hosted the first-ever Broomfield historic sites tour on Oct. 8. The tour highlighted stories about the homesteaders, farmers, entrepreneurs, railroads, and entertainment events in early Broomfield. Volunteers welcomed visitors at sites such as the Brunner Farmhouse/Kozisek Farm, Metzger Farm, the Crawford Honey House, and Community Ditch. Thanks to the Broomfield Open Space Foundation members that greeted people at Metzger Farm and shared information about the farmstead buildings, acquisition of the 152-acre open space property, and Metzger family. Over 40 people participated in the tour. Perhaps this tour will become an annual event!
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Fishing Derby 2022
The 2022 Kids Fishing Derby was a success! On the morning of Saturday, Oct. 1, around 100 kids had the chance to learn outdoor ethics, how to tie knots, cast and catch fish. There were plenty of fish to catch at Tom Frost Reservoir, thanks to the stocking of 350 rainbow trout by the Broomfield Open Space Foundation and Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW). The kids get to keep the fishing gear provided by CPW. If you’re interested in participating in this annual event next year, keep an eye out for registration in the Fall 2023 Recreation Program Guide and Open Space website.
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Markel and Wottge Open Space Plan
Take an initial survey to help upgrade the vision for both the Markel and Wottge Open Spaces by Nov. 11. This project seeks to identify opportunities for public access and site improvement to preserve, restore and activate the open spaces for public use.
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Open Space, Parks, Recreation and Trails (OSPRT) Plan Refresh
The City and County of Broomfield (CCOB) is using a combination of focus group discussions, community events, a survey, and conversations with diverse populations to elicit feedback on the Plan Refresh. The feedback received will be used to update existing strategies that protect and preserve Broomfield’s natural resources, trails, and recreational amenities for the coming years. Follow this project and submit comments or questions at BroomfieldVoice.com/OSPRTplan.
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Raptor Management Plan
Broomfield is fortunate to have active raptor populations and nesting in a suburban setting. However, these majestic birds, which include species like the Bald Eagle, Great Horned Owl and Red-tailed Hawk can be sensitive to disturbances in their nesting and breeding habitats. To identify ways to minimize habitat impacts on raptors, Broomfield is creating a Raptor Management Plan. This plan is being developed by working within the state and federal regulatory framework and respecting private property rights.
Through coordination with biologists and raptor rehabilitation centers, current research is documenting the most common injuries, diseases, and impacts to raptors in our community so that Broomfield can identify ways to better manage habitat and ensure nesting success. Broomfield staff is working with wildlife biologists from Smith Environmental on plan recommendations including protective measures, habitat enhancement, community outreach, and the development of a monitoring program. Learn more about the plan, share feedback, or leave questions and comments at BroomfieldVoice.com/RaptorPlan.
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Looking for a movie, book, activity or poem?
The Open Space Team may have something for you!
November's Book Recommendation:
Drawing on her life as an indigenous scientist, a mother, and a woman, Kimmerer shows how other living beings—asters and goldenrod, strawberries and squash, salamanders, algae, and sweetgrass—offer us gifts and lessons, even if we’ve forgotten how to hear their voices. In a rich braid of reflections that range from the creation of Turtle Island to the forces that threaten its flourishing today, she circles toward a central argument: that the awakening of a wider ecological consciousness requires the acknowledgment and celebration of our reciprocal relationship with the rest of the living world. For only when we can hear the languages of other beings will we be capable of understanding the generosity of the earth, and learn to give our own gifts in return.
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Next Open Space and Trails Advisory Committee Meeting:
Dec. 8
Broomfield Community Center Crawford 1 Room
6-9 p.m.
This meeting will take place in person.
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Wildlife Masters
The Broomfield Wildlife Masters are local residents that volunteer their time to answer questions about coexistence with our local wildlife.
Help Line: 303.464.5554
Reach out to them with your wildlife concerns or questions. Be sure to leave your contact information, and a Wildlife Master will respond to you within 24 hours.
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Broomfield Open Space and Trails
STAY CONNECTED:
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