STATEWIDE INTERPRETIVE SIGN STRATEGY PLAN IN FINAL REVIEW

Montana's Lewis & Clark Interpretive Sign Strategy Plan is in the final review and edit stages. The interpretive strategy has been the top project of the interagency Montana Tourism & Recreation Initiative's Lewis & Clark Focus Team for the last year. It will offer a user-friendly "blueprint" for communities, tribes, organizations and agencies to use in developing new or enhanced interpretive signs. Designs standards and appropriate story lines will be suggested, as will a process to ensure that new or refurbished signs are historically accurate and culturally inclusive. An introduction to the new strategy will be offered during the Montana Governor's Conference on Tourism and Recreation, April 10-11,2000, in Big Sky, Montana. An announcement about the final plan's availability will be made this Spring

UPCOMING MEETINGS / CONFERENCES

• Fifth Annual National Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Planning Workshop; April 26-28, 2000, Kansas City, MO
• Passages 2000 Conference; March 1-3, 2000, Lewiston, ID
• Montana Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commission meeting; June 15, 2000, Fort Benton
• Governor's Conference on Tourism & Recreation; April 10-11, 2000, Big Sky
• 2nd Annual Montana Lewis & Clark Conference; October, 5-6, 2000, Great Falls.

NEW COMMISSION MEMBERS NAMED

Marilyn Ryan of Missoula and Homer Staves of Billings have been appointed to the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commission by Governor Marc Racicot. Each will serve a three-year term. Ryan is an award-winning history teacher at Missoula Hellgate. Homer Staves is the vice-president of Kampgrounds of America (KOA) International. Governor Racicot also re-appointed Commission chair Betty Stone and vice chair Darrell Kipp to three year terms.

STATEWIDE PROJECT NEEDS LIST GENERATED

A list of 107 Lewis & Clark-related projects sponsored by Montana community and tribal entities was recently sent to the National Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Council in preparation for that organization's presentation to federal legislators. The project list, involving $45 million in funding requests, was created by the Commission working through community and tribal contacts. The Montana list included 91 community-oriented projects planned by 19 bicentennial groups and communities statewide, and 16 tribal projects identified by four Indian groups. In addition to these projects, Montana's report to the National Council includes summaries of numerous state and federal agency projects being planned.

The National Council, with Montana and other trail state project lists in hand, will make a presentation to the federal House Lewis & Clark Caucus in early March. The presentation is an effort to inform the Caucus of the extent of project funding needed by the Lewis & Clark Trail States. It is hoped that by creating this awareness in Congress, more federal funding will be made available to prepare for and create legacies for the Bicentennial. In conjunction with the national council's efforts, Montana's Commission will work closely with the state's Congressional delegation to gain Lewis & Clark project funding.

The list submitted to the national council was not a final, all-inclusive listing of Montana projects. It represents the start of an on-going process. Communities, tribes and public-sector agencies are encouraged to continue their planning and preparation efforts, and to keep the Commission updated on their progress.

MONTANA BICENTENNIAL MASTER PLANNING EFFORT TO COMMENCE

The Hingston Roach Group, Inc., has been hired by the Commission to develop a statewide bicentennial master plan. Montana's master plan will articulate a vision of Montana's Bicentennial Observance, as well as serve as a "road map" to highlight how the multitude of current and projected planning and preparation elements will be strategically inter-connected. Work on a master plan draft has begun. September 1, 2000, is the anticipated completion date. The Hingston Roach Group recently completed a similar strategic plan for Idaho's Clearwater-Snake Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Committee.

WEB SITE UPDATE

There is more than ever before on the Commission's Lewis & Clark web site www.montanalewisandclark.org. Summaries of each Commission meeting are now being posted on the site. A What's New section has been added, there is new material in the Resource Library and there will soon be Education and Funding sections. Your suggestions on how we can improve this valuable communications tool are appreciated. Keep sending us pertinent information to post on the site.

EDUCATION COMMITTEE SETS PRIORITIES FOR 2000

Three project priorities have been set by the Commission's Education Committee for work in 2000. The priority projects are:

1. Continue functioning as a Lewis & Clark information clearinghouse utilizing the Commission's Lewis & Clark Intranet site;
2. Begin planning for an educator's symposium in Spring 2001;
3. Develop a Lewis & Clark 101 education program for Montana businesses' front-line employees.

2ND ANNUAL MONTANA LEWIS & CLARK CONFERENCE

Mark you calendars for the 2nd Annual Montana Lewis & Clark Conference to be held in Great Falls on October 5th and 6th. Look for more information to come out in early Summer on topics and format. The Commission would welcome your participation as a conference sponsor!

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LEWIS & CLARK MARKETING STRATEGIES

Travel Montana is in its third year of including a Lewis & Clark segment in its ad campaigns focused on attracting non-resident visitors. The state's tourism promotion agency's Warm Season 2000 campaign includes magazine and Internet advertising and a direct mail piece referring to Lewis & Clark and their journey through Montana. The Lewis & Clark ad campaign will cost Travel Montana $125,000 and includes a bonus value of $12,100. About 3.5 million people are expected to be reached by the campaign. In addition to advertising, Travel Montana is promoting Montana's Lewis & Clark Trail travel opportunities through all of its programs including websites, publicity, international travel, publications, and others.

LEWIS & CLARK BICENTENNIAL COMMISSION PARTNERS WITH U S WEST TO OFFER A NEW GRANTS PROGRAM

US WEST has teamed up with the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commission to develop and finance a $100,000 grants program available for Lewis & Clark projects this Spring. Both the Commission and US WEST are investing $50,000 into the new program that will help fund projects proposed by non-profit groups preparing for the upcoming Bicentennial. These grant funds can be utilized for building and sign construction, purchase of pertinent equipment, certain expenses related to Lewis & Clark events, and educational programs. Local matches, either monetary or in-kind materials or labor, are required. Grant applications are available through Montana's regional bicentennial coordinating groups or the Commission's office. The deadline for submitting grant applications is April 21, 2000. Grant awards will be made in mid-June.