About this Project

In 2018 Golden Hills was awarded a grant from the National Park Service and Outdoor Foundation for interpretation and programming along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and Loess Hills National Scenic Byway through western Iowa. Golden Hills staff worked with regional National Park Service staff and byway stakeholders to inventory, update, and install interpretive panels at historic, cultural, scenic, conservation, and recreational sites in the Missouri River-Loess Hills corridor.
 
The National Park Service Challenge Cost Share Program supports projects that “promote conservation and outdoor recreation, environmental stewardship, education, youth engagement” on sites administered by NPS, which includes the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.

Interpretive Panels

The project included funds for two new interpretive signs in each of the counties that the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and Loess Hills National Scenic Byway have in common (Woodbury, Monona, Harrison, Pottawattamie, Mills, and Fremont). Three additional signs will also be placed in the six-county corridor, at locations yet to be determined. Most of the signs will replace existing exhibits which are several years old and weathered, with new panels containing updated content and designs to engage visitors. In addition to the educational exhibits, Additional funding for panels came from the Loess Hills Missouri River Region & MidAmerican Energy Foundation. 

2019 Programs

Golden Hills also hosted three public educational events about Lewis and Clark and the Loess Hills in 2019.

Lewis & Clark in Iowa: Sunset Hike & Journal Reading
​Thursday, August 29
7:30pm-8:30pm
Waubonsie State Park

Experience Lewis and Clark 
Wednesday, July 31
7-8:30pm
Lewis & Clark State Park - Onawa

Fragile Giants Through Time​
Saturday, July 6
9am-noon
Hitchcock Nature Center - Honey Creek