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Chapter
4

Open Space and Mountain Parks

Ranger/Naturalist Community Relations

Introduction
Community outreach and education about the environment and the responsible use of the Open
Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) system are essential ranger duties when in contact with the
public. The City of Boulder’s OSMP Department rangers are educators—interpreters—first and
foremost. Not only do rangers interpret the various ecosystems, they must be able to identify
human activities that are harmful to the OSMP system and effectively communicate the
consequences in terms of regulations, impacts on the environment, and visitor experiences.
Rangers’ contact with visitors is an opportunity to foster public appreciation and enlist the
community’s support of the OSMP Department’s mission to protect and preserve the natural
environment.

Qualifications and Training

As soon as possible after completing the Police Training Officer (PTO) program, rangers must
complete an interpretive education/training course. Course examples include the OSMP Volunteer
Naturalist training program, National Association for Interpretation (NAI) certified training, and the
North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) training program, or some
variation, with a supervisor’s approval.

The Certified Interpretive Guide program through NAI is designed for anyone who delivers
interpretive programs to the public. This 32-hour course combines the profession’s theoretical
foundations with practical skills to deliver visitors quality interpretive programming.

Various continuing education opportunities exist inside and outside the OSMP Department, and
OSMP education specialists present many advanced environmental education topics throughout the
year. Rangers may also attend or present programs at the annual Colorado Alliance for
Environmental Education (CAEE) conference.

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