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High Plains Environmental Center

Education

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VIDEO

Front Range TEDx Talk with Jim Tolstrup. Since 98% of the lower 48 states has already been altered for human use restoration replaces conservation as the land ethic for the 21st Century.

VIDEO

HPEC Director Jim Tolstrup is interviewed about developing a land ethic for the 21st century by his 82 year old mother on her own cable TV show in Malden, MA.

Eco Literacy

At HPEC we are dedicated to inspiring the environmental stewards of tomorrow. Our eco-literacy program includes innovative approaches to getting kids outdoors exploring and developing a love of their surroundings.
We have hosted innumerable school field trips focusing topics such as gardening, native plants, sustainability, wildlife and Native American studies.

HPEC has had direct involvement with schools in the Thompson School District and throughout Northern Colorado in helping to create lesson plans in ecology and horticulture. HPEC has also helped numerous schools to create vegetable gardens and native plant/pollinator gardens for outdoor studies.

SUPPORTING AREA SCHOOLS

As an active partner with the Thompson School District HPEC has provided support and guidance for projects at the following schools.

  • HPEC- Ecoliteracy
  • Van Buren Elementary
  • High Plains School
  • Truscott Elementary
  • Big Thompson Elementary
  • Centennial Elementary
  • Cottonwood Plains Elementary
  • Ponderosa Elementary
  • Namaqua Elementary
  • Walt Clark Middle School
  • Ferguson High School

 

“We have created an exciting partnership with High Plains Environmental Center (HPEC) for the outdoor classroom project. Through this partnership, the walls of our outdoor classroom will be created by native trees, shrubs, grasses and perennials that help restore nature where our students “live, work and play.”

Michelle Mandeville
Namqua Ecology Club

Native Plant of the Month

This year we are starting a Native Plant of the Month section for our e-newsletters. Every month we will feature a different native plant based on what’s in bloom and what’s valuable for wildlife – and we’ll let you know if we sell it at our native plant nursery!

JANUARY

Cornus sericea / Red Twig Dogwood

Family: Cornaceae (dogwood)

Characteristics: Also known as Red Osier Dogwood; upwards spreading shrub that is Native to much of North America’s swampy, riparian, or wetland habitat; create beautiful contrast with snow- great addition for those who want colors in their garden during the winter months.

Height: 6-9 ft.

Season of Bloom: May-July

Bloom Color: White, dense blossoms (drupes) followed by white berries.

Light Requirements: Full Sun – Partial Sun

Water Requirement: Medium – Wet

Eco-Relationships: Deer resistant, attracts pollinators, grows well in wet and clay soils

Life zone/ Habitat: Zones 3-8

FEBUARY

Clematis lingusticifolia/ Western Virgin’s Bower

Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup)

Characteristics: A woody perennial vine with small white flowers that bloom in clusters.Traditionally called Pepper Vine, and rumored to have been used by Native Americans to treat colds and sore throats.

Height: 12-36 feet

Season of bloom: Spring – Summer (April–August)

Bloom color: White/Cream

Light requirement: Full sun to shade

Water requirement: Medium to Less water

Soil requirement: Well-Draining soil

Eco-relationships: Flower heads attract a wide range of pollinators, especially birds; sub species can be poisonous; not deer resistant

Habitat: Zones 5-7; Riparian Habitats; near running water and lake edges

HPEC Birding Videos

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VIDEO

Reuben the Robot Migration