By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
One of the most familiar faces and voices of the Kansas Wetlands Education Center is retiring. Linda Penner, senior administrator assistant, is retiring after serving KWEC for nearly 12 years.
Linda’s husband, Robert,
serves as the Nature Conservancy Manager at Cheyenne Bottoms, so working at the
wetlands was a perfect fit for Linda.
"When the center opened up, it was just a perfect fit for me," said Penner. "It's our passion. To be able to work at the education center has been ideal."
From the Kearney, Nebraska area, the Penners came to the Barton County region
to be closer to family. Linda started working at the Education Center in
October 2010.
"My husband and I have always loved nature and it has just expanded through our marriage," said Penner. "We realize how important these natural resources are to our world. Everything we can do to help nature, conserve and protect is important."
KWEC Director Curtis Wolf said Linda’s ability to connect with visitors is
extraordinary.
The public is invited to congratulate Linda on her retirement by attending a
come-and-go open house event Monday, June 6 at KWEC from 3 p.m. - 5
p.m. The center is located 10 miles northeast of Great Bend on K-156 Highway.