2017 Nebraska Tourism Serves sites selected

LINCOLN, Neb. (March 16, 2017)— The Nebraska Tourism Commission is excited to announce the Nebraska Tourism Serves selection committee has chosen the four service sites for 2017. This is the second year Nebraska Tourism is organizing these events and was pleased to receive numerous applications. “This program allows the tourism industry and communities to come together to ensure that our attractions are kept in a condition that they can be an asset for people to enjoy for generations to come,” said John Ricks, Nebraska Tourism executive director.

The first 2017 project will be at the Crane Trust Nature and Visitor Center in Wood River, April 28 and 29. During this event volunteers will be creating flower beds, planting and weeding, while sprucing up a butterfly garden. “Our butterfly garden is the first thing you see when you walk out of the Visitor Center and we look forward to signing and improving the garden,” said Brice Krohn, Crane Trust Nature and Visitor Center vice president. “Improving this trail experience will attract more guests to spend time with us outside of March (when the cranes are with us) and enjoy the wonderful community of a summer prairie.”

The second event will be at the Lincoln County Historical Museum in North Platte, May 17 and 18. Volunteers will be repainting the Platte Valley Barn, one of the museum’s historic structures. “This structure is a wonderful example of barns found on the small farms in the valley at the turn of the 20th Century,” said Jim Griffin, museum curator. The event will coincide with the annual Brochure Swap put on by the Nebraska Travel Association with the hopes that more industry members have the chance to participate.

The third event will take place at Wessels Living History Farm in York, June 5. Volunteers will be landscaping, painting the exterior of many outbuildings and helping to create a new visitors’ information area. “We currently have a brochure rack, with a few additional things around it to promote other attractions and businesses,” said Hillary Mundt, the farm’s director. “With a little more space, we will be able to do more to promote other attractions, including advertising their events and creating a space for visitors to sit and explore Nebraska travel magazines, to plan their next trip.”

The final event will be held in September at the Corps of Discovery Welcome Center in Crofton. Volunteers will be repainting the building’s exterior. Welcome Center director, Katie Meyer said, “We are the only welcome center in northeast Nebraska, located on the Pan American Highway, welcoming travelers into our state and promoting Nebraska tourism and other tourist destinations throughout the entire state. We strive to keep a beautiful and welcoming building and landscape to make a positive impression on our visitors.”

Nebraska Tourism would love to have you join the efforts to maintain tourism destinations across the state.  If you’re interested in being a program volunteer, please provide your information at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/tourismserves or send an email to [email protected]. 

More information on Nebraska Tourism Serves can be found at VisitNebraska.com/industry, search: Tourism Serves.