Walking Mountains Science Center has a mission that connects with many different people. Gerhard Assenmacher is one of most colorful and creative supporters of our mission.
In keeping with Walking Mountains’ mission, Gerhard sees his nature images as an artistic way to “awaken a sense of wonder and inspire environmental stewardship and sustainability.” We want to thank Gerhard and share a short piece of his story. Enjoy!
How did I come to love nature? Was it taught to me in school? What created the initial spark that carried me to this point in my life?
In my early childhood, I spent much of my time outdoors. I grew up near the Mosel River in Koblenz, Germany. Once summer vacation started, my friends and I would swim and fish in the river. I was surrounded by farms and orchards. We had the “run of the land” as there was no adult supervision, fences or other boundaries. I had the freedom to play in a very rich environment.
After moving to the U.S. in 1956, I worked very hard for many years to grow a business and there was little time as a young adult to enjoy the outdoors the way I did as a young boy. Later during vacation time, I began to take my family to the National Parks in the western part of the U.S. My passion and enthusiasm for the outdoors was rekindled by the variety of wildlife and the amazing vistas. Photography became a creative challenge for me to attempt to capture and study this beauty. First I started with landscapes, and soon the challenge to capture the wildlife and learn about their habitats became my focus. It has become a very serious hobby since my retirement in 2008.
I have learned so much and I feel that I want to be part of the community that is working to protect our amazing landscapes and its inhabitants. I have realized that the decisions about the protection of wildlife have become a political one. To share what I have seen and to make an impact, I have decided to share my images with libraries, schools, science centers, and government offices. I feel that the answer is a simple one. Only when individuals become aware of what is around them, and experience the beauty and importance of the outdoors, will they protect it. Hopefully, they will then encourage their legislators to vote in favor of environmental protection laws.
Come see some of Gerhard’s photography at Walking Mountains Science Center in Avon, CO or visit his website: photosbygerhard.com.
