High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 08/05/2025You can use native plants however it works for you. Remember that container gardens still have pollinator benefits just like those pristine meadows you see! 040
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 03/05/2025Golden Currant (Ribes aureum) At this angle you can really appreciate how deep this flower goes. Imagine a pollinator sticking their proboscus waaay out to collect nectar from the base of this flower. These flowers are only about 0.5" at their widest point, and 0.75" deep. 000
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 02/05/2025Days since staff were on the ground: 0 010
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 01/05/2025Our newest bee hotel! Or Bee B&B, if you prefer. 000
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 29/04/20253-5th grade Career Fair! Inspiring the next generation of stewards. 000
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 22/04/2025Want a beautiful, native spring flower? Try Thermopsis divaricarpa (Golden Banner)! #nativeplants 040
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 19/04/2025Our native plant demonstration gardens also act as a living seed bank. We prioritize genetic diversity and local ecotypes to increase the survivability of the species for generations to come. 020
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 18/04/2025Pelicans fly above Houts Reservoir in Loveland, CO thanks to healthy water and abundant fish population. 130
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 17/04/2025We were the first NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat in Colorado. Learn how you can certify your community: certifiedwildlifehabitat.nwf.org?gad_source=1... 000
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 15/04/2025Grasses once dominated Colorado's prairie landscape. The deep roots of native grasses work to stabilize and aerate soils. 020
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 14/04/2025Our native plant landscapes prioritize density, biodiversity, and varied bloom times. 060
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 13/04/2025The mountains over Houts Reservoir. Loveland, CO 021
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 12/04/2025Wetlands comprise less than 3% of Colorado, but over 90% of all wildlife will rely on wetlands at some point in their life cycle. 030
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 11/04/2025The bioswale garden at our center filters excess nutrients out of stormwater and provides habitat for amphibians. 010
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 10/04/2025Colorado's state flower, the Columbine, is beneficial to hummingbirds and pollen gathering bees. Not to mention stunning. #nativeplants 040
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 04/04/2025Please note that when you hear the term "native plant," you should ask yourself where that person is posting from. Native to my area may not be native to yours. In our case we are coming to you from Loveland, Colorado! Home of the Rocky Mtn and Prairie native plants. 030
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 04/04/2025Aquilegia eleganula bloom! #nativeplants 050
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 04/04/2025Why plant natives? Native plants co-evolved alongside your local flora and fauna for eons. They represent the best traits for surviving in your unique climate. They need less water, fertilizer, or care, while supporting pollinators and wildlife. Choosing natives is trusting nature's expertise. 120
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 13/02/2025"The old wives' tale is that a robin is the first sign of spring, but American Robins are an adaptable lot. Some migrate and others don't. They do seem to disappear in winter, but they may just be flocking to nearby wooded areas where they're protected." (Marion Guthrie for jccwmg.org) 031
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 05/02/2025Escobaria vivipara (formerly classed as Coryphantha vivipara). Also known as Spinystar or Beehive cactus. It has a hardy frost tolerance and can survive a wide range of habitats across Mexico, the U.S., and Canada, making it one of only 4 cacti species in the Canada! #nativeplants #botany 1141
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 04/02/2025We found our bee hotel torn apart! As we rushed to put the tubes back into the frame we got to see that fascinating handiwork of the leafcutter bee. We were amazed by the labor of love that these bee parents put into protecting their young. 150
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 30/01/2025Castilleja linariifolia (Narrow Leaved Paintbrush) is a semi-parasitic plant, like many other paintbrush species. They tap into the roots of surrounding plants for water and nutrients. We grow and sell Castilleji linariifolia in the same pot as Artemisia frigida, which functions as a host. 051
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 27/01/2025Native plants 🌱 = Food for caterpillars 🐛 Caterpillars 🐛 = Food for birds 🐦 Butterflies/moths 🦋 = Pollinators; Food for birds, bats, lizards, rodents, insects Birds 🐦 = Food for larger predators; pollinators; seed dispersal 12511
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 25/01/2025Native Plant of the Week If you love an underdog (or cat I guess), this one is for you! Antennaria neglecta or Field Pussytoes. The Latin word "neglecta" means "neglected" or "overlooked." It gets its common name from the adorable roundness of its blooms that resemble a cat's paw pads. 1141
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 24/01/2025Wanna see something *really* cool? Let me introduce you to Synchlora aerata (wavy-lined emerald moth). This unassuming brown inchworm covers itself in flower petals to hide from predators. 071
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 17/01/2025Frost sparkles softly in the morning light, A thousand diamonds, pure and bright. Sunbeams kiss the icy lace, Melting magic in its embrace. Each crystal shimmers, then takes flight, Dancing away with the warmth of light. A moment caught between the two, Where winter’s chill meets sunshine’s hue. 041
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 08/01/2025Our native plant sale sells ~180 species of Rocky Mtn/Prairie native plants between April and September. Order online, pick up on site. 181
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 08/01/2025Visit HPEC 🌻 76 acres of land, 3 miles of trail (open 7 days/week) 🌻 Native plant demonstration gardens 🌻 Annual native plant sale April - September 🌻 Monthly environmental education classes 050
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 08/01/2025Here's what all that labor turned into. 061
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 08/01/2025Our staff and volunteers loving brought this land back to health over the course of about 2 decades. 050
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 08/01/2025This is what our land looked like when we first acquired it in the early 2000s. 040
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 08/01/2025Our community was the first NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat Community in Colorado. 031
High Plains Environmental Center @suburbitat.bsky.social · 08/01/2025Hi, we're new here! Wanted to introduce ourselves. HPEC is an environmental nonprofit in Loveland, CO. We grow 180-200 species of Rocky Mtn and Prairie native plants, manage several hundred acres of restored open space, and host environmental education classes. #colorado #nativeplants 1121