Origins
The Launching of The Western Planner and Founding Editorial Board
The Western Planner movement began during a time characterized
by intense land use issues and with a vision of a western states network
of planners to cope with these issues. In the summer of 1979 at Chico
Hot Springs, Montana, representatives from several states gathered at
the annual conference of the Montana Association of Planners to talk over
the prospects of forming an alliance. A mood for innovation took over
at the meeting and The Western Planner dream was given definition.
In
the next few months the presidents of the planning associations in Montana,
Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota and a support crew busied themselves
gaining the support of their associations and packaging the jointly sponsored
professional journal. The first issue was launched in January, 1980.
Of
the original Editorial Board, Stan Steadman emerged after the 2nd year as the Owner/Managing Editor, a position he
held for the next 8 years. Then after selling his ownership to Western
Planning Resources, Inc (WPR, Inc).
WPR,
Inc. continues to operates as a non profit organization that is run
by a volunteer board of directors. Eight journals are produced each year.
In addition, WPR works with state organizations that hold the annual Western
Planner conference. This conference provides an opportunity for planners
to network in person and the proceeds allow the magazine to continue to
be produced.
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