HIGH PLAINS ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER BECOMES AFFILIATED ORGANIZATION OF LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER

The High Plains Environmental Center (HPEC) has been accepted as an affiliated organization by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas. HPEC is now part of a network of 28 affiliated institutions in the United States with a national and international mission to support native plant preservation, conservation and use.HPEC manages over 400 acres of open space within Centerra (located in Loveland, CO) and places particular emphasis on preserving and conserving rare native plants in the area. Native plants in addition to being beautiful provide essential forage for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. In 2008, HPEC installed a native plant landscape at Old Canal Park, near the Rangeview offices, which feature stunning shrubs and flowers native to the American west. HPEC is currently planning construction of a botanical garden with a focus similar to that of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, in Austin, Texas, but with an emphasis on high altitude wetland plants.HPEC Executive Director Jim Tolstrup states, “The affiliation with Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is a perfect match with our current work. I am looking forward to sharing this exciting development and the HPEC native plant conservation mission with my colleagues at a presentation to the Colorado Native Plant Society in September. We are looking forward to HPEC becoming a living laboratory of native plants for the greater regional community. ”HPEC grows over 10,000 seedlings each year and will be conducting a large scale plant rescue within Centerra this fall, relocating wildflowers that are in an area slated for development. To visit Old Canal Park or other HPEC conservation areas please call (970)622-9676