Trails Center
| Contacts: | Lesley A. Elser | |||
| 307-261-7603 |
Lessons from Nature: The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center
Encourages Families to Spend Time Outdoors
The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center (NHTIC) in partnership with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) is presenting a family stewardship program on Aug. 7.
Between 1836 and 1869, thousands of westward-marching pioneers walked the banks of the North Platte River, which flows through Casper. Crossing the river was a major endeavor which left many stories to tell, some joyful and many painful.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) interpreters Jason Vlcan and Liz Thyfault will present stories of the crossings during a walk along the Platte River. Stand on the banks of the river and hear the voices of pioneers exalting their successful crossing or words of woe for ones swept forever downriver.
WGFD Information Specialist Robin Kepple will also be on hand to interpret the North Platte River ecosystem and the animals that depend on it for survival. Furs and hides will be shown as well.
The group will gather at 10 a.m. under the gazebo at the Crossroads Rotary Park near Mike Lansing Baseball Field located off North Poplar Street. The program is free, but space is limited. To make reservations, please call (307) 261-7780.
Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes, hats, sun screen, and bug spray. Expect this program to last approximately 1 hour. The hike is outdoors so participants should carry adequate water and snacks.
This family-friendly hike is part of the BLM’s “Take it Outside” initiative, which encourages families and youth to explore the great outdoors.
The NHTIC is a part of the BLM's National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS). The areas of the NLCS are specifically designed to conserve, protect and restore the exceptional scientific, natural, cultural, ecological, historical, and recreation values of these treasured landscapes.
The NHTIC is a public-private partnership between the BLM and the National Historic Trails Center Foundation. The facility is located at 1501 N. Poplar Street, Casper, Wyo. The Center is currently operating on summer hours, and is open daily, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, recreational and other activities on BLM-managed land contributed more than $130 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 600,000 American jobs. The Bureau is also one of a handful of agencies that collects more revenue than it spends. In FY 2012, nearly $5.7 billion will be generated on lands managed by the BLM, which operates on a $1.1 billion budget. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.
Trails Center 1501 North Poplar Street Casper, WY 82601