Jim Tolstrup’s book ‘Suburbitat’ celebrates the work of the High Plains Environmental Center and discusses the importance of environmental stewardship

Surrounded by native plants in a greenhouse, Jim Tolstrup, executive director of the High Plains Environmental Center, speaks Wednesday about his book “Suburbitat, a Guide to Restoring Nature Where We Live, Work and Play.” (Jenny Sparks/Loveland Reporter-Herald)

Loveland readers can now decorate their home libraries and bookshelves with the work of a local environmental steward, who tells the story of local ecological evolution and how people can be the best caretakers for the world around them.

Jim Tolstrup, the director of the High Plains Environmental Center in Loveland, recently published his book “Suburbitat: A guide to Restoring Nature Where We Live, Work, and Play” in physical copies after writing it several times as an e-book and published. years ago.

“It was 18 years in the making, but it actually came together very quickly,” he said. He added that Ripley Heintz, the first director of the HPEC, coined the term “Suburbitat” as a conflation of suburb and residential area to fit the work the organization was doing.

He said that while that book was well received online – including praise from entomologist, ecologist, conservationist and professor Douglas Tallamy, who described Tolstrup as Frodo endorsed by Gandalf – he realized that there were many who wanted a physical version of his work wanted, which became available on Earth Day this year.

Tolstrup said the book is really the story of the HPEC and its 23-year history in Loveland; he has been with the organization for approximately 18 years.

“I think we’ve done something really groundbreaking, and that is working with the developer to restore nature to the communities we design and build,” he said. “What we’re trying to do is do what we’ve been doing.”

The beginning of the book focuses on the ecological history of the Loveland and Northern Colorado area, starting from its original origins to current developments.

The book then provides a more detailed look at how residents can design and maintain landscapes with their own native plants, discussing everything from native grasses to weeds, in a section that Tolstrup describes as a kind of cookbook for how people can grow native species. This section contains a table of various plants, their required sun exposure, characteristics and value to wildlife, with some, such as Rocky Mountain maple, serving as shelter for birds or shrubby cinquefoil providing nectar and pollen for small pollinators .

Finally, the book ends with a discussion of how residents can create a culture of environmental stewardship and ethics around the environment.

“It’s all about the role of business, the role of consumers and how we can basically rekindle our sense of citizenship at a local and global level to work together to restore nature,” Tolstrup said.

He said he hopes the book taps into people’s love and care for the Colorado environment around them, whether that’s for economic purposes, spiritual beliefs or simply the hope that future generations can enjoy the splendor that the Centennial State has to offer. He said this is important now as demand for water continues to grow as more people move to the area. He added that it is critical that the Northern Colorado community develop a regional horticultural style that is sustainable through planting and growing native plants.

“Our role as environmental stewards is a peacemaker role,” he said. “We’re really interested in reaching out to political graphs and all kinds of socio-economic demographics to include everyone and make sure everyone’s voice is heard. That is an important part of the book.”

The book can be purchased online through Amazon and at the HPEC, 2698 Bluestem Willow Dr.

Tolstrup will hold a book launch event at the Kinston HUB, 6402 Union Creek Drive, on May 29 from 3 to 5 p.m.