By Bob Reece
Webmaster's Note: This update was originally
published in the Friends of the Little Bighorn Battlefield Newsletter,
January 2011.
In our May 2010 newsletter, Editor Lola Mauer,
board member Ryan Trainor, and LIBI staff reported on the major projects
at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument (LIBI). One of the most
important projects is the Long Range Interpretive Plan (LRIP) LIBI held
two workshops on the LRIP with the tribes and various interested parties.
Because of our strong and active board, two of our directors shared
responsibilities in attending the workshops. I want to thank Mike Semenock
for attending the first workshop and Neil Mangum the second.
Friends Events June 24-25, 2010
We came together for a weekend of great fun
and for the first time, we held a field trip on the battlefield that we
called, “Deep Ravine Trail & Beyond”.
Please jump here for all the
details.
Friends Donates $5,000 to Partner with NPS
on Oxbow Archeological Survey
As reported in the May 2010 newsletter,
Friends partnered with the NPS by donating $5,000 towards an archeological
survey of two oxbows in the Little Bighorn River. Led by Dr. Douglas
Scott, the survey would employ a new metal detection technology, pulse
induction, which can penetrate up to three feet below the surface.
For
more on this survey please go here.
June 24-25, 2011 Friends Events at
Battlefield – 135th Anniversary
It will be great to see our members during
our annual June events this year. It is shaping up to be a great two days
while commemorating the 135th anniversary of the battle. The highlight is
the Friday evening field trip, “Sunset of the Lakota Nation”.
Go here for complete details.
Association of Partners for Public Lands (APPL)
Conference February 7-10, 2010
Friends and LIBI were each awarded a grant of
$1,000 from the IMR Partnerships Office to be used “to attend a conference
that will enhance their partnership skills and build capacity for the
organization and the park they serve.” Chief of Interpretation Ken Woody
and I attended which gave us great opportunities for growth in the areas
of fundraising and developing stronger organizations. Those attending were
members of cooperating associations, Friends groups, and other non-profits
for the NPS, Forest Service, and other government bodies. I left the
conference with a better understanding of our organizations strengths and
weaknesses in fundraising. Currently, Friends does not have the necessary
staff to manage a major campaign, however, I’ve learned how we can better
manage smaller campaigns. For the first time, Ken and I had the chance to
spend time together away from the battlefield which is extremely busy each
June. We were able to discuss in great detail issues that affect the
battlefield and how Friends can help. I hope we will have similar
opportunities in the near future.
Friends Website
We begin our second decade online with our
award winning website. We have provided a list of some of the newest
content to the website in this newsletter.
The Last Bugle Call
What makes Friends unique over other key
stakeholders of the battlefield? I asked Superintendent Kate Hammond that
question and you can read her answer in our conversation inside this
newsletter. I feel lucky to lead such a great support organization for
LIBI that highly values the amazing positive partnership with Ms. Hammond
and her staff. We have accomplished great things working together. I
cannot stress how lucky we all are to also enjoy such a positive
relationship with LIBI’s cooperating association, Western National Parks
Association. Some of the projects we supported over the years, we also
equaled in donations with WNPA. As we are about to renew our MOA – this
time for five years instead of three – I am thankful for such a strong
partnership. That is what it is all about.
I’ll see you on Last Stand Hill.
January 2011
(Back
to Top)
|
