About the GPNP

History

The Great Plains Nature Photographers was founded through the efforts of Larry Roenkoetter, a professor at Bethany College in Lindsborg, KS.  Larry enlisted the aid and mailing lists of Gerald Wiens, then Director of the Audubon Center near Arkansas City and Bob Gress, Director of the Great Plains Nature Center.  The first meeting was held at Bethany in the Fall of 1997 with over 150 in attendance.  The first speaker was Rick Zugel, a member of the Kodak Ambassadors of Photography.  Also in attendance and speaking at the inaugural meeting were Bob Gress and Jim Richardson.

Past Speakers:

Spring 1998 – Great Plans Nature Center (GPNC) – Wichita, KS – George Lepp

Fall 1998 – Emporia State University – Emporia, KS – Boyd Norton

Spring 1999 – Washburn University – Topeka, KS – Frank Oberle

Fall 1999 – GPNC – Wichita, KS – Tim Ernst

Spring 2000 – St. Luke’s Hospital Auditorium – Kansas City, MO – Darrel Gulin

Fall 2000 – Southwestern College – Winfield, KS – Bill Silliker, Jr

Spring 2001 – GPNC  and Wichita State University – Wichita, KS – Art Wolfe

Fall 2001 – GPNC – Wichita, KS – Cold Snap Photography: John Gregor and Randy Hagar

Spring 2002 – McPherson College- McPherson, KS – Jim Richardson of National Geographic

Fall 2002 – Kansas City – Mario Corvetto

Spring 2003 – GPNC, Wichita – Warren Williams

Fall 2003 – GPNC, Wichita – Joel Sartore of National Geographic

Spring 2004-- GPNC, Wichita--Harvey Payne, Director of the Nature Conservancy's Tallgrass Preserve and published nature photographer

Fall 2004--  Kansas City Conservation Center-- Mike Forsberg, NebraskaLand Magazine, National Geographic

Spring 2005--  Field trip to Quivira NWR, no speaker

Fall 2005--  GPNC, Wichita -- Sam Abell, National Geographic    http://digitaljournalist.org/issue0202/abell_intro.htm

Fall 2006--  Johnson County Community College, Overland Park, KS, George Lepp, Outdoor Photographer magazine, www.geolepp.com 

Fall 2007--  GPNC, Wichita.  Jim Richardson, National Geographic returned with a presentation on his Kansas flint hills work which appeared in National Geographic in the spring of 2007.

Fall 2008--  GPNC, Wichita.  Rick Sammon, Travel photographer.  www.ricksammon.com

 Financial Support

Over the years, we have been fortunate to have the support of several benefactors.  Many corporations have been generous enough to send us exceptional speakers and programs.  In no particular order, they are listed below.  If you are in the market for film, camera gear or other items, please show your support of those who support us:

Canon - George Lepp, Art Wolfe - http://www.usa.canon.com

Fuji - Bill Silliker, Jr. - http://www.fujifilm.com

Tamron - Frank Oberle - http://www.tamron.com

Kodak - Rick Zugal - http://www.kodak.com

Photographx Unlimited - Fall 2002 Refreshments - http://www.photographxunlimited.com or visit them at:

5200 NW 64th
KC, MO 64151        Telephone - 816-505-9989

Each year we call on these same sponsors to support us with their speakers.  It is most generous of them to help us grow photographically.  We need to remember these supporters when we hit the stores and make certain we support them.