Kurt Repanshek


Biography

Kurt Repanshek built his journalism career atop a 14-year stint with The Associated Press that saw him rise from a general assignment reporter to correspondent-in-charge for the state of Wyoming. Since embarking on a freelance career in the fall of 1993, his articles have appeared in Smithsonian, National Geographic Traveler, Audubon, National Wildlife, Hemispheres, Wilderness, and other publications. He launched NPT in August 2005 because of his love, and concern, for national parks.

His other credits include an article on national parks of the world for Microsoft’s Encarta CD-Rom as well as three guidebooks to the national parks. A contributor to the Travel Arts Syndicate, his stories have appeared in the Miami Herald, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Denver Post, and other newspapers.

During his AP career Kurt helped direct and contribute to AP coverage of the 1988 forest fires in and around Yellowstone National Park; covered statewide, congressional, and presidential campaigns, and; closely followed public lands issues in the Rocky Mountain West. A freelance story he wrote on the collapse of the WordPerfect software designer won top honors from the Society of Professional Journalists, Utah chapter.



Kurt's Most Recent Comments (view all)
  • 5/08/2008 10:09 am - The General View of Boy Scouts : As big an enterprise as scouting is --and it's huge; according to Wikipedia, the [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boy_Scouts_of_America#Finance]BSA ranks 12th nationally in terms of nonprofit revenues[/url], with $665.9 million in 2005, and the chief scout executive was paid [b]more than $900,000[/b]!!-- one would think the organization could afford to either better train its ...
  • 5/08/2008 6:10 am - Bigger Boat Tours Coming to Voyageurs National Park : Perhaps this case points to a larger question across the National Park System: Just what does the National Park Service owe communities surrounding parks, and what do those communities owe those parks? As I understand it, private concessionaires have not been able financially to make a go of running tour ...
  • 5/08/2008 5:43 am - The General View of Boy Scouts : Frankly, Stephen, I think the problem starts at the top, with the leaders. Without going into too many details, the problems I've seen with the Boy Scouts points directly to a lack of solid leadership. Is there a training program or a test scout leaders have to go through or ...
  • 5/06/2008 3:02 pm - New Trail Web Site for the Smoky Mountains : Thanks for the news, Smoky Mountain Hiker. That's just the sort of information we're hoping folks will share. I'll check to see if you're on our favorites page; if not, I'll add you to it. Cheers, Kurt
  • 5/05/2008 6:34 am - Moonbow over Yosemite Falls : ADJ, When you're editing your post, scroll down until you see the "File Attachments" link. That's where you can attach photos. It's somewhat ironic that you mention moonbows, as Bob and I were talking just the other day about Top 10 Moonscapes in the park system. Looking forward to your ...
  • 5/04/2008 10:10 am - Report Shows Visiting National Parks Could be Hazardous to Your Health : Frank and Beamis, First of all, welcome back. Now, in light of Frank's contention that the two of you were asked to stop commenting at the [i]Traveler[/i], let me set the record straight by pulling from the email I sent you both last December: [quote] I don't think there's any ...
  • 5/02/2008 8:55 am - The Yellowstone Association : Stephen, I'd say that's pretty good news. It can be terribly difficult to get a book into a national park bookstore/gift shop. What's your journal about? We might want to review it here at the Traveler.
  • 5/02/2008 6:58 am - The Yellowstone Association : Basically the association is a nonprofit that works as Yellowstone's public education partner, offering classes in the park, creating exhibits, helping decide which books/publications are sold in the park. They in turn invest their profits back into educational outreach. You can get the official rundown [url=http://www.yellowstoneassociation.org/about/]here[/url].
  • 5/01/2008 11:25 am - Congressman Calls for Full EIS of Proposal to Allow Concealed Carry in America's National Parks : That saw cuts at least two ways, Fred;-)
  • 5/01/2008 8:44 am - The Yellowstone Association : I might be able to help you, Steve. What's your question?


Kurt's Most Recent Articles (view all)

Protest Against American Revolution Center at Valley Forge National Historical Park Planned for May 15

Don't be surprised if George Washington returns to Valley Forge next week. A grassroots group is planning a rally for May 15 to protest plans to develop a portion of 78 acres of rolling land pressed on three sides by Valley Forge National Historical Park.

Bigger Boat Tours Coming to Voyageurs National Park

Here's an update to the Voyageurs National Park boat tours story. There currently are boat tours available, but not on the scale that will be possible thanks to the $1.4 million a congressman from Minnesota has directed to the National Park Service so it can build a 49-seat boat.

Commemorate Mother's Day at Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

If you're near Lincoln City, Indiana, this weekend, you might want to swing by the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial to mark Mother's Day.

Where Are the Best Sunrises in the National Park System?

Where do you find the best view of sunrise in the National Park System? Would it be on Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park, or, perhaps more logically, at Sunrise in Mount Rainier National Park?

Vet Removes Snare From Neck of Wolf in Denali National Park and Preserve

A volunteer effort has been able to remove a trapper's snare from around the neck of a wolf in Denali National Park and Preserve. Unfortunately, a second wolf that also was caught up in a snare has not been seen.

Public Comment: Grand Canyon Overflights Noise Reduction

As was noted the other day, a coalition of conservation groups has asked that the National Park Service extend the public comment period for the proposed revision of the "natural quiet" definition regarding aircraft over Grand Canyon National Park. Read on to find the link where you can post your comments.

Groups Ask for Extension on Comment Period for Grand Canyon "Natural Quiet" Definition

A coalition of groups has asked that the public comment period on how "natural quiet" is defined at Grand Canyon National Park be extended by 30 days beyond the current May 9 deadline.

In the News: Loss of Cougars in Yosemite National Park, "Uranium Rush" at Grand Canyon National Park

Critics of the National Park Service's mandate to conserve natural resources often say the national parks were not intended to be kept inside bell jars. And that's certainly not happening. Proof can be seen in how the loss of cougars is thought to be adversely affecting Yosemite National Park and the recent rush to find uranium near Grand Canyon National Park.
Featured Article

Report Shows Visiting National Parks Could be Hazardous to Your Health

Visiting national parks could be hazardous to your health. That's the conclusion that can be drawn from a snapshot of health and safety conditions across the National Park System.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore Settlement Won't Ban ORV Use, But Will Restrict Travel

A settlement over off-road vehicle travel at Cape Hatteras National Seashore will not ban ORV travel, but it will restrict it at times throughout the year, according to the National Park Service.