NEBRASKA CITY - The tree trail at the Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Center at Nebraska City was dedicated Sept. 28 to former Nebraska congressman Doug Bereuter.

 

Congressman Bereuter convinced the U.S. Department of Interior to purchase the original 65 acres of land that now hosts the center. An additional 17 acres of wooded bluffs provides space for portions of the trail system.

Congressman Bereuter continued his support of the project, encouraging local volunteers who successfully raised $7.5 million to build the center. It is now operated by a private local charitable foundation.

Bereuter was instrumental in the  National Park Service planning for the 200th anniversary of the Lewis & Clark expedition.

Each of the 11 states along the trail from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean were authorized to build an official Lewis & Clark interpretative center.

Bereuter also secured funding to mark all of Lewis and Clark’s campsites in Nebraska with signage.

27 different tree species along the Doug Bereuter Tree Trail are marked with plaques.

 

 

 

Photos courtesy of Lewis and Clark Center. Former Rep. Bereuter cuts a vine at a trail dedication