Community Outreach along the Lewis and Clark Trail in 2021

Bluegill Sunfish

Photo by Alex Wiles Media. Used with permission.

About this article: This article was originally published in the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail 2021 Annual Report.

Ponca State Park, NE

Missouri River Wildlife Walk

In the summer of 2021, Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail teamed up with photographer Alex Wiles to feature a clear view of the “Big Muddy.” Twenty sites along the Missouri River were sent sidewalk stickers that featured images of river wildlife, fun tidbits, and kid-friendly activities. (Can you act like a bluegill sunfish? Use your hands to give yourself a tail and fan it back and forth!) While visitor facilities remained closed across the country, this outdoor temporary exhibit helped reach the public where they were.

—Interpretation & Education Team

Sergeant Floyd Interpretive Center. Sioux City, IA.

Lewis and Clark Boathouse and Museum, MO.

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail educators teamed up with FITGirl, Inc.’s Camp Empowerment, a summer leadership camp for girls ages 8 to 14, to teach fishing at Mahoney State Park in Ashland, NE.

Photo by FITGirl Inc. Summer Camp. Used with permission.

Community Outreach 2021

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail’s Visitor Center Operations Team spent an action-packed summer and fall meeting lots of Junior Rangers all around Omaha. We introduced them to tons of new games, crafts, community science, and exploration activities to teach them more about the Lewis and Clark Expedition and how to protect and observe the wildlife around them. The team loved working with young, new explorers and learned so much from them on how they view and interact with their environment. We made so many new friends and partners, and we can’t wait to learn and adventure with even more of you as we journey on into 2022!

—Shannon Smith | Education Technician

2021 Outreach Accomplishments

• Connected with over 3,100 audience members of all ages.
• Partnered with 26 schools and organizations.
• Designed and presented over 15 new interpretation programs.

2022 Outreach Goals

Provide diverse and engaging programming

Provide diverse and engaging programming for audiences of all ages and learning abilities, including English language learners and special education students

Build new partnerships

Build new partnerships with underserved community schools and Omaha-based organization

Assist Omaha’s Title I schools

Assist Omaha’s Title I schools in securing field trip funding to visit nearby sites along the Lewis and Clark Trail