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The HPEC is a public charity created to promote understanding of the interactions between the natural and built environments, inspire stewardship, and foster personal and community well being. The HPEC is a living laboratory that explores the connections between sustainable living and ecological processes.

High Plains Environmental Staff
High Plains Environmental Trustees
High Plains Foundation Members

Staff

Jim Tolstrup, Land Stewardship Director
Jim Tolstrup is the Land Stewardship Director of the High Plains Environmental Center in Loveland, CO. Jim's past work experience includes serving as Director of Shambhala Botanic Gardens and Preserve in Red Feather Lakes, CO and running his own landscape design business in Kennebunkport, Maine where he installed gardens at George and Barbara Bush's "Summer White House." Jim holds a certificate in gardening arts from Harvard University, he has written numerous articles on gardening and environmental stewardship for various publications, and is a past recipient of Denver Water's Xeriscape Award and ALCC's Excellence in Landscaping Merit Award.

Sarah Fox, Program Director
Sarah comes to the Center to assist in the exciting development of a sustainable program at Centerra. At the City of Fort Collins, where she worked as a Senior Environmental Planner and Business Outreach Coordinator, she prepared herself for working with Centerra's commercial and retail community. Sarah has worked as an ecologist for the Western Center for Environmental Decisionmaking and as a high school science teacher. Sarah holds a Bachelors of Science in biology and a Masters of Science degree in atmospheric science and ecology. She is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accredited professional.

Silja Knoll, Monitoring Manager
Born in Hamburg, Germany, Silja moved to Florida in 1982 where she learned English through "submersion" in school. Silja received a B.S. in Geography from Florida State University while working for a local Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. This work encouraged her to seek a second BS degree in Wildlife Biology from Colorado State University. After graduation, she worked as a Wildlife Rehabilitator and later as the Education Coordinator for the Larimer Humane Society in Ft. Collins, CO. While growing up in Germany, horseback riding was the childhood passion which she continues. For four months she worked as the Barn Manager of an Irish Sport Horse Breeding Facility outside of Brisbane, Australia. Today, she shares her home with her husband, daughter, a couple horses and a wonderful "pound puppy."

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High Plains Environmental Center Trustees

Tom Hoyt, Chair, McStain Enterprises
Linda Hoffman, Treasurer, Nolte Associates, Inc.
Daman Holland, Secretary, Cityscape Urban Design
Johnna Bavso, McWhinney Enterprises
Greg Jones, Porter Industries
Kim Perry, McWhinney Enterprises
Eldon Ward, Cityscape Urban Design

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Trustees of the High Plains Foundation.
The HPF is a non-profit organization created to support the mission and activities of the HPEC, and the restoration activities of Houts and Equalizer Reservoirs.

Eldon Ward, Chair, Cityscape Urban Design
Tom Hoyt, Treasurer, McStain Enterprises
Linda Hoffman, Secretary, Nolte Associates, Inc.

High Plains Environmental Center
1854 Piney River Drive
Loveland, Colorado 80538
Phone: 970.622.9676
Fax: 970.613.1380
Email: sarah@suburbitat.org