
Our mission is to bring individuals and community-minded organizations together to support the vision of inspiring stewardship of the natural world through exceptional experiences to benefit future generations at the Great Plains Nature Center in Wichita, Kansas
Our Friends Enjoy These Perks
Gift Shop Discount
You'll get a 10% discount to the Owl's Nest Gift Shop just for joining the Friends of the Great Plains Nature Center. The Owl's Nest stocks eclectic gifts and nature books you won't find anywhere else!
Prairie Post
Open a world of possibilities twice a month with your subscription to the Prairie Post eNews from the Great Plains Nature Center. Our Friends also get an exclusive, mailed Prairie Post edition twice a year.
Reciprocal Benefits
You'll enjoy the benefits of the Reciprocal Program from the Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA) with free or discounted admissions and/or gift shop perks at over 150 locations in the United States and Canada.
Join Us and Make a Difference!
Promoting
We help spread the word and provide needed resources for the GPNC to provide nature education to over 58,000 students annually. The Friends deliver needed support from over 20 corporate partnerships and hundreds of individuals just like you each year.
Serving
Volunteers gave over 5,000 hours of service at our educational events and in habitat restoration and trash removal teams last year. The Friends coordinate all volunteer support from individuals and corporate teams every month.
Caring
Food and Vet Care for animal ambassadors at the GPNC and the Kansas Wildlife Exhibit in Riverside Park are fully supported by our Friends. We ensure that they get the best care 24/7, 365 days a year.
Staffing
The Director of Development, Volunteer & Event Coordinator, Animal Care Naturalist, Digital Lead Naturalist, Business Manager, Owl's Nest Gift Shop Team, and the Animal Care Clerk positions are all fully supported by our Friends.
The Friends of the Great Plains Nature Center Board of Directors
Board elections are held each February.
President: Kathy Frieze
President-elect: Andy Adams
Secretary: Sarah Shaffer
Treasurer: Caroline Gadbury
Past President: Tonya Bronleewe
Vice President: Bob Gress - ex officio
Vice President: Jim Mason - ex officio
Vice President: Lorrie Beck - ex officio
Vice President: Charles Cope - ex officio
Elizabeth Barker
Morgan Barnes
Tanica Bradt
Amy Fellows Cline
Laura Fent
Brittany French
Heather Haines
Mary Liz Jameson
Jon Myers
Brad Rice
Dan Thompson
Amanda Alessi - ex officio for City of Wichita Parks & Recreation
Emily Davis - ex officio for Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
Victoria Burnett - ex officio for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service