Nature Photography by Gary D. Tonhouse
Mission Statement

                        "Dedicated to helping create an  appreciation ...  awareness  an concern for our
                                           environment through the power of education and photography"



  This site is dedicated to the Tallgrass Prairies, Wetlands and Woodlands here in Iowa.  Our prairie lands have all but vanished here in Iowa. Iowa once had 25 to 30 million acres and today, it will be hard pressed to come up with 30,000 acres.
  The wetlands and woodland have surcome to the same as the prairie lands. Once covered with some 400,000 plus acres of wetland and today it will be hard to locate 26,000 acres of wetlands. 
Iowa once had over 6.5 million acres of forest area and today there are but 1.6 million acres remaining. Most forest areas will be less than one thousand acres.   As you can see, we have lost the majority of some of our most important natural resources. 
  Along with the lost of these ecosystems have came the loss of many furbears and water fowl.  The Sand Hill Crane all but vanished from the Iowa Landscape. The Trumpeter Swan almost disappeared. The Black Bear is gone forever. Elk will never roam free here in Iowa again and the Buffalo will only be found on private lands and on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Properties.
  The scene that I am photographing is not as bad as it may seem. Even though we have lost these large amounts of prairie lands ,wetlands and woodlands there are individuals and organization that are putting forth large amounts of energies to preserve what is remaining here in Iowa for future generations. These groups are dedicated to preserving our past heritage and are trying to build upon these last remaining areas to preserve them  for future generations.
  The Good Lord has given me the vision and the ability to capture on film his many splendors. Through him, I will show you his many natural wonders that I have captured on film.
    I have been photographing  the prairies in Iowa for the past 18 years. This web site and the Cibachrome print exhibit that I have traveling  throughout the state of Iowa, is my way of giving back to what has given me enthusiasm, excitement, and peacefulness and has asked for nothing in return.
   Hopefully, this web site and the cibachrome print exhibit that I have traveling throughout the state of Iowa: going into public schools, libraries, and museums will arouse and awareness and concern for our last remaining prairie lands here in Iowa.
   One person can make a difference and I believe that this site and the cibachrome exhibit that I have created will have a positive impact on individuals and our beautiful natural environment.
    Pickup your cameras and capture those special images and tell your friends about our environment. Get them excited about are prairie lands, are wetlands and woodlands. It will surprise you when you see other individuals becoming excited who in turn, will get more individuals excited.
   I am not a naturalist or botanist, but just a person with a deep passion for our natural world.
 
   Thank you and I hope that you have an enjoyable, inspiring an stimulating experience.
May the quality of light always be with you!!!

Gary D. Tonhouse

"Men have been taught that it is a virtue to agree with others.

But the creator is the man who disagrees. Men have been taught

that it is a virtue to swim with the current. But the creator

is the man who goes against the current. Men have been taught

that it is a virtue to stand together. But the creator is the

man who stands alone."

*Ayn Rand {1905-1982 Philosopher and Author