Mission Statement

The mission of the Missouri Nature and Environmental Photographers is to provide a forum for individuals interested in the field of nature photography and the environment, provide education, gather and disseminate information, and promote nature photography as an art form and medium of communication.

Our History

Ruth Hoyt founded Missouri Nature and Environmental Photographers (MoNEP), with the charter meeting held on January 16, 1996.  Club officers and board members were selected.  Bylaws were established, a club logo designed and a monthly newsletter "Close-Up" began circulation.  The first year membership grew from 23 to 67 members.  Currently MoNEP has over 200 members.

Meetings

Monthly meetings are held at the Powder Valley Conservation Center auditorium.  Each month a guest speaker is invited to share his or her knowledge of photography and/or the environment with members.  MoNEP has hosted many well-known guest speakers from Missouri and Illinois that have covered a wide range of nature related topics.  Members are encouraged to share their work by showing slides, prints, or digital images during the "Share and Show" segment at each meeting following the guest speaker's presentation.  The focus is on learning and not competition.  An annual Holiday Show and party is held each December and features members' images set to music.

Field Trips

Local field trips are scheduled monthly, with overnight field trips scheduled occasionally.  Members go into the field to photograph a natural area or event as a group.  These activities provide an opportunity for members to share techniques, learn from each other and have a good time.  Images from these outings are often viewed by the membership at the following meeting.

Community Events & Service

MoNEP is invited to participate in local and national community events each year.  Volunteering our time and services at these events is our way of giving back to the community by helping increase public awareness of natural beauty and the environment.  MoNEP has participated in a photographic exhibit at the Shaw Nature Reserve and community events at National Public Lands Day, Earth Day, and the Fall Festival at Faust Park.  Members donated prints and slides to help with the educational work of the Wild Bird Sanctuary after a field trip there.

Photography Seminars

MoNEP invites nationally known nature photographers to conduct photography seminars that are open to the general public as well as the membership.  Past presenters have included Pat O'Hara, Maria Zorn, Tom Murphy, George Lepp, Art Wolfe, Darrell Gulin, Rick Sammon, and Nancy Rotenberg.

Join Our Circle of Friends!

You are invited to attend our next meeting and meet many interesting people who all have one thing in common...a dedication to learning about nature photography.

You can start by filling out our 2010 membership form and bringing it to one of our meetings.

Officers, Board Members and Volunteers

Officers & Board Members

President, Program Chairman - Scott R. Avetta
Vice President - Don Morice
Secretary/Treasurer - Linda Moder
Recording Secretary - Kathy Cherry

Board Members

Program Co-Chair - Ken Biddle
Digital Committee Chair - Jerry Miller
Webmaster - Pat Burgess

Volunteer Support Members

Newsletter Editor - Barbara Addelson
Membership Co-Chair - Shawn & Vicki Northrop
Community Outreach Committee - Lori Purk
Audit Committee Chair - Larry Terrel