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
