The Park and Natural Resource Branch is one of five branch units of KRPA membership that provides specific focus or attention to a professional endeavor of the park and recreation industry.  The other Branch groups are Aquatics, Park Law Enforcement, Recreation and Therapeutic Recreation.

Branch leadership falls under an elected board and each branch chair serves as a voting member of the KRPA Board of Directors.

Throughout the year, the branch board will plan workshops and structure the specific educational track for that individual focus of professional activity for the annual conference and trade show.  Branch board representatives also serve as a voice in KRPA leadership and provide advice and direction to constitute members related to industry news or trends.

Upon joining KRPA, members have an opportunity to select a branch of interest which also entitles their participation in the branch election process.  Branch boards include a chair, chair-elect, secretary and members-at-large.

Park and Natural Resource Branch Education Calendar

2010
March 10-12 – National Playground Safety Institute NPSI (Lenexa)

Park and Natural Resource Branch Board

Chair – John Kennedy (Shawnee County Parks and Recreation)
Chair-Elect – Scott Shierk (Overland Park Parks Department)
Chair-Elect - Logan Wagler (Lenexa Parks and Recreation)
Secretary – Lisa Boyles (KDWP Lovewell State Park)
Treasurer – Bill McGowan (Johnson County Park and Recreation District)
Member-at-Large, State – Logan Wagler (Lenexa Parks and Recreation)
Member-at-Large, West – Anita Schneider (KDWP Cedar Bluff State Park)
Member-at-Large, Central – Levi Gantenbein (KDWP Milford State Park)
Member-at-Large, East – Kelby Hellwig (Johnson County Park and Recreation District)
Member-at-Large - Mike Lueck (Hutchinson Park Department)

Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights

Sponsored by Subway, Kansas Wildscape, Kansas City Chapter of Safari Club International

The KRPA Park and Natural Resource Branch in partnership with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks encourages parents to help their children have an opportunity for involvement with nature.

To help parents in understanding opportunities for nature involvement, KRPA and KDWP have joined forces to introduce the Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights.

The Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights is a listing of 10 outdoor activities that invite interaction with nature.  We believe every child should have the opportunity to:

Walk in the footsteps of Kansas history
Access a natural environment
Camp under the stars
Explore nature
Learn to swim
Play on a team
Follow a trail
Participate in the shooting sports
Catch fish and harvest game
Play in a safe environment

A limited supply of posters promoting the Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights are available to KRPA member agencies.  In addition, 40 indoor and outdoor signs have been distributed to state parks and selected nature centers around the state.

KRPA and KDWP would like to thank Subway for the generous support of this program.