Story highlights Rand Paul has christened himself a different kind of Republican: tree hugger.

Paul has tried to cast himself as a fresher Republican face who can appeal to new audiences.

Washington (CNN) Presidential candidate Rand Paul has christened himself a different kind of Republican, and now he's embracing a unique moniker: tree hugger.

In a new book released on Tuesday, Paul said he composts and believes in clean air and clean water. Paul notes that he has planted giant sequoias in his yard and repurposed old trees used for a fort to build compost bins.

"None of this is at odds with wanting our government to be smaller, with wanting our regulatory bodies to protect both our land and water," Paul wrote in his third book, "Taking a Stand: Moving beyond partisan politics to unite America."

JUST WATCHED This criticism of Patriot Act gets an eye roll Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH This criticism of Patriot Act gets an eye roll 01:54

"It boggles my mind to think that somehow Republicans have been branded as a party that doesn't like the environment," he said, pointing to avowed conservationist Republicans like Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.