Last updated: June 17, 2021
Place
Fontenelle Forest
"Ali on the Boardwalk Trail, Fontenelle Forest" by ali eminov is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
Quick Facts
Location:
Bellevue, NE
MANAGED BY:
Amenities
14 listed
Beach/Water Access, Benches/Seating, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information, Information - Maps Available, Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present, Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board, Parking - Auto, Parking - Bus/RV, Restroom, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Ticket Sales, Wheelchair Accessible, Wheelchairs Available
Lewis and Clark NHT Visitor Centers and Museums
This map shows a range of features associated with the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, which commemorates the 1803-1806 Lewis and Clark Expedition. The trail spans a large portion of the North American continent, from the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon. The trail is comprised of the historic route of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, an auto tour route, high potential historic sites (shown in black), visitor centers (shown in orange), and pivotal places (shown in green). These features can be selected on the map to reveal additional information. Also shown is a base map displaying state boundaries, cities, rivers, and highways. The map conveys how a significant area of the North American continent was traversed by the Lewis and Clark Expedition and indicates the many places where visitors can learn about their journey and experience the landscape through which they traveled.
The mission of Fontenelle Forest is to provide a place where people can experience and enjoy the quiet wild of nature. We want to inspire current and future generations to care for the natural world. Fontenelle Forest conserves and preserves over 2,100 acres of natural land in Douglas and Sarpy County along the Missouri River with programming for residents living locally in the Metropolitan Omaha Area and partnerships that span throughout the state and region. Fontenelle Forest provides services in the areas of conservation, recreation, and education.
Tourism: Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods are Metropolitan Omaha Area tourist destinations. Both properties are beautiful natural settings that provide tourists with a location for physical activity, relaxation, reflection and enjoyment. Fontenelle Forest offers tourists 24 miles of maintained trails, a mile-long ADA accessible boardwalk, the Baright Gallery which features local, regional, and national artists, the Raptor Woodland Refuge, and the Acorn Acres natural playscape. Additionally, Fontenelle Forest’s new partnership with TreeRush Adventures offers tourists the opportunity to climb and zipline at a five-acre, aerial adventure park.
Conservation: Fontenelle Forest maintains a comprehensive land management policy, directed by a fulltime ranger staff. Conservation initiatives and activities include oak savanna, American elm, and prairie restoration, erosion control, wildlife management, maintenance of 24 miles of trail and a mile-long ADA accessible boardwalk, and invasive species control. Fontenelle Forest’s Land Stewardship team provides prescribed burning and land management training to local, state, regional, national, and international partner organizations. In 2017, Fontenelle Forest completed 17 prescribed fire burns resulting in 850 burned acres, performed non-fire restoration activity on 100 acres, and completed invasive species control on 200 acres. In 2018, Fontenelle Forest completed 7 prescribed fire burns resulting in 563 burned acres, performed restoration activity on 100 acres, and completed invasive species control on 250 acres.
Education: Fontenelle Forest educational opportunities include early childhood programs that serve children and their parents; extensive school district partnerships with Omaha, Bellevue, the Archdiocese, Council Bluffs, and Papillion La Vista Community Schools and out-of-school STEM and nature-based activities; scouting programs; nature camps; programs for adults and senior citizens, as well as informal education programs, activities, and exhibits.