Starting a Park Service Career in Omaha: The Lewis and Clark Trail's Interpretation Team

Audra Pflug joined the National Park Service through the Pathways Program in August 2022 while a student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. When she graduated, she moved into a term position as a park guide at the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail's visitor center in Omaha. Over the years, the center has given a number of students their start with the Park Service this way.

The interpretation team on community outreach at Horning State Farm, Nebraska: from left, Supervisory Park Ranger Kassey Trahanas and park guides Audra Pflug, Rowyn Collister and Josh Hennings. Credit: National Park Service.

The 2023 team

Park guide trainees Bradley Clark (left) and Josh Hennings at an outreach event. Credit: National Park Service.

Park guide Audra Pflug, caught by a news crew at a very chilly Earth Day Omaha 2023. Credit: National Park Service.

AmeriCorps member Rowyn Collister. Credit: National Park Service.

Programs at headquarters

Omaha is home to the trail's headquarters and visitor center, where rangers give interpretive programs, take part in special events and do outreach for both the local community and a national audience. In summer 2023 the center introduced a regular schedule of ranger-led programs: every Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., from June through October.

Two enthusiastic young visitors recite the Lewis and Clark Trail Junior Ranger oath. Credit: National Park Service.

Sources

Based on "Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail's Omaha Interpretation Team," from the Lewis and Clark Trail 2023 Annual Report, National Park Service; a work of the United States government in the public domain.