Community Organization
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The Story of Love Our Land
Est. 2020
Love Our Land is a community conservation organization dedicated to environmental education and 'biodiversity regeneration' that was established in July 2020.
Doug and Mike met while serving as members of the City of Loveland's Tree & Environment Committee. They both desired to make significant contributions to conservation efforts in Loveland. They proposed and enacted solutions to the biodiversity crisis in our community, including nonnative invasive plant removal, native plantings, and a 'free NATIVE tree-giveaway' program. After some time, they realized that to increase the reach of their work, the greater Loveland area also needed an organization that strictly focused on helping the people of this area implement conservation practices on their land and in their neighborhoods.
With the intent of reconnecting local citizens with nature through education and activities, Love Our Land was created in 2020 to help people realize the need and potential of transforming their own landscapes, yards, and neighborhood green spaces into havens for natives species. Through these actions Love Our Land helps increase nature connectedness in Loveland and beyond for the benefit of our communities. ​​​
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Doug Gilbert, Co-Founder, President works full-time as an environmental consultant. He has worked with a variety of imperiled species across the U.S., including the rusty patched bumble bee, Mexican spotted owl, Indiana bat, bald and golden eagles, and a variety of rare and protected plants. His skills and expertise have allowed him to successfully lead projects that have helped ensure the protection of rare, threatened, and endangered species. Doug is currently on his third term on the City of Loveland's Tree & Environment Committee. doug@loveourland.org
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Mike Meldon, Co-Founder, Vice President is a high school social studies teacher. He has his master's degree in Secondary Education and has been in the classroom for over 18 years teaching various classes. Mike spends his summers off with his kids in the woods and along the river. He is no longer on any of the city's committees so that he can focus efforts on his family, career, and Love Our Land. mikeloveourland@gmail.com
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In 2024, Love Our Land brought on Cindy Daumeyer as Director of Operations. Cindy is a business professional and dedicated community member. She is an avid gardener and enjoys seeing her spaces come to life with native plants and wants to help others see and understand the magic, wonder, and significance of biodiversity.​​
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Team Members
Nick Koulouris: Lead Native Plant Propagator
Website: drivingbiodiversity.com​
With more than a decade of experience landscaping, managing invasive species, & running a chemical lawn care company, Nick has witnessed firsthand how conventional practices harm and degrade local ecosystems. For this reason—and his passion for creating a healthier environment & lifestyle for his family—he has now dedicated his career to growing native plants and helping residential & commercial clients design and create space to promote biodiversity, which includes, but not limited to: native bees, song birds, caterpillars/butterflies, firefly regeneration, cicadas, & one day: bison. These ecologically rich and aesthetically appealing spaces not only improve local ecosystems, they inspire their friends and family, as well as other community members, to follow suit, furthering DSP’s mission to “drive-up”
local biodiversity.
In addition, DSP organizes “Pop-Up Plant Sales” where they collaborate their nursery with community organizations, local businesses, other growers, & non-profits to promote local names & native plants, with a portion of the proceeds from the event sales going directly to the non-profit.
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Jim Daumeyer: Program Support Coordinator
Jim is a valued member of Love Our Land and the Loveland community. He has spent a great deal of time volunteering to improve the hiking/walking trails in Loveland's green spaces. In 2024, Jim completed the 'Dyson Trail' at Phillips Park which enhanced an existing trail and decommissioned some less desirable trails that were contributing to issues. The Dyson Trail meanders through mature forest and open habitats that have been targeted for removal of nonnative invasive vegetation, such as bush honeysuckle, and subsequently planted with native wildflowers, grasses/sedges, and trees. We're grateful to have Jim on the Love Our Land team!