Chief Ranger Retires River, George met a new challenge by de- George Berndt, Chief veloping from scratch the park’s entire in- of Interpretation at terpretive program. Serving as MNRR’s Missouri National first-ever interpreter and uniformed em- Undercurrents Recreational River ployee, he actively promoted the Recrea- retired in February tional River in a continuous media cam- Your free guide to Missouri National Recreational River after over 38 years paign, wrote the text for the River’s first www.nps.gov/mnrr with the National Park standard NPS brochure, wrote many texts 2009 Service at eight differ- and coordinated the production and installa- ent sites. tion of some eighty wayside exhibits Welcome to your river! Water Under the Bridge placed throughout the park, served as an Welcome to the Missouri National Recrea- If you entered or left Yankton from or to George earned a BA in History and Politi- interpretive consultant for a $1.25 million tional River, one of 391 units of your Na- the south, you probably caught a glimpse cal Science at Wittenberg University and an exhibit package developed by the NPS for tional Park System. of history. The historic Meridian Bridge, MS in Russian History at Ohio State Uni- the new Missouri National Recreational More than two-thirds just east of the new Discovery Bridge is versity. He began his National Park Ser- River Resource and Education Center at of the entire length of unique, not just in its design, but in its his- vice career with training at Grand Canyon Nebraska’s Ponca State Park, and coordi- the Missouri River has tory. National Park. After a short stint in the nated the park’s been altered or “re- prominent in- army, George’s first assignment was at the engineered” by the National Capital Parks in Washington, DC. volvement in actions of humans. His first appointment as historian was at the Lewis and The two remaining Clark Bicenten- Vicksburg National Military Park in Missis- untamed stretches that make up the Mis- sippi. nial commemo- souri National Recreational River are, ration, includ- therefore, very important in preserving As an historian, George derives great satis- ing coordinat- chapters of America’s natural and cultural ing National Superintendent Mike Madell pre- faction from delving into archives to de- sents George with a plaque recog- heritage of “Big Muddy”. The concept of the “Meridian Highway” bunk commonly accepted stories. While at Park Service nizing his over 40 years of federal participation in service. following the 6th Principal Meridian from , Gulf Islands National Seashore, he discov- This unique unit of the National Park Ser- Canada to Mexico City began in 1911 with ered that “Geronimo’s Dungeon” at Fort the Spirit vice offers natural beauty and an exciting Mound restoration project near Vermillion. a group of Kansas businessmen. By the Pickens was a misnomer; the Apache chief history for your enjoyment and enrich- end of WW I, most of the route was estab- and other American Indians were confined ment. You will experience the river's ever- George will be relocating to Virginia, trav- lished, but not paved. The biggest obstacle in a somewhat more hospitable portion of changing nature, the animals and plants on the route was the Missouri river at the fort grounds. During his tenure at Fort eling more, taking up kayaking, and con- that find a home in its realm, and the sto- tinuing his involvement with history and Yankton; crossing was by ferry, by pon- Frederica National Historic Site, his re- ries of people and events that have shaped toon bridge, by ice road, or by way of search led him to a map that corrected the national parks. All of us at MNRR wish its past. As a recreational river, it is also George a long and active retirement. We’ll Sioux City, a detour of well over 100 presumed layout of the 1700s military your river to enjoy in a safe and consider- miles. town. miss his scholarly banter, his editing, spell- ate manner. When the United States Con- (continued on pg. 13) ing and grammar assistance, and his Smith- gress designated Missouri National Rec- Here at Missouri National Recreational sonian magazines in the lunchroom! reational River as a part of America’s Wild Inside: and Scenic River System, the National NEW Ranger Programs—Pg 2 Contacting Your Lewis & Clark Visitor Center Park Service was charged with the task of maintaining the natural state of the river Boating the Wild & Scenic River – pg 14 National Park Nebraska Hwy 121, overlooking Gavins Point Dam and keeping it accessible for the enjoyment Missouri National Recreational River and enlightenment of present and future 402-667-2546 Civil Rights, 1879—pg 9 PO Box 666 generations. I hope that you will join the Yankton South Dakota, 57078 staff of Missouri National Recreational Junior Rangers—pg 2 402-667-2550 River in caring for and protecting this re- markable national treasure. www.nps.gov/mnrr New NPS Site Opens—pg 5 R. Michael Madell Superintendent 16 schedule and program descriptions see a and may be required at some other sites. NEW Ranger Programs ranger or visit www.nps.gov/mnrr. Other launch sites may be indicated on This year, MNRR rangers are offering ex- Don’t forget to maps, but are not recommended for trail- Take it to citing new programs that will give you a stop at the ered craft. chance to have fun while learning about the Lewis & Clark the Lake! natural and cultural history of the river and Visitor Center Overnight floats its surroundings. for special In accordance with Most of the land exhibits and National Park Ser- along the park is Bicycle Tour— craft programs vice policy, personal privately owned This 8 mile easy every Saturday watercraft (Jet Ski®, and there are few family ride from and Sunday WaveRunner®, etc.) are not permitted on public camping the Aquarium to from 11:00 am the portions of the Missouri designated as possibilities. the Chief White to 2:00 pm. Wild & Scenic. This includes the 59-mile Crane camp- Primitive camp- reach from Gavins Point Dam to Ponca ground shows ing is normally allowed on islands and State Park, the 39-mile reach from Run- you a few of the area’s recreational oppor- sandbars. Please adhere to the "pack-it- ning Water, SD to Ft. Randall Dam, the tunities and gives you a look at the story of Junior Rangers in, pack-it-out" (Leave No Trace) lower 20 miles of the Niobrara River and the Missouri River and the reasons for and ethic. The river bank on both sides of the lower 8 miles of Verdigre Creek. effects of the six major dams. the river, sandbars and islands on the Personal Watercraft are welcomed on all Nebraska side, and deeded islands on Corps of Engineers lakes on the Missouri History Walk— A ranger-guided walk the South Dakota side of the river are and on the Missouri River downstream of through Yankton’s Riverside Park intro- private property. Only the water belongs Ponca State Park. Ride safely and wear duces you to the fascinating history of the to the public. In areas other than desig- your life vest! Missouri River, Yankton, and some of the nated campsites, permission is required interesting characters who influenced the to walk, picnic or camp on private prop- growth of this river town. erty. Sandbars on the South Dakota side of the river are public property. In sev- More National Canoeing 101—Introduced last year, this eral locations along the "rec river," the Parks 90-minute program gives you the opportu- state border is still undetermined. Many more of America’s nity to learn the basics of canoe safety and special places are within a operation. The clinic includes a demon- day’s drive of MNRR. Here stration of basic paddle strokes, and Earn your badge! are just a few: launching, stroke, and landing practice on Lake Yankton. Pick up a Junior Ranger activity brochure Another Wild & Scenic River Pipestone National Monument, Pipestone, or activity book at the Lewis & Clark Not far away is another surprising unit of Minnesota. www.nps.gov/pipe Movie night—While visiting MNRR, you Visitor Center and spend an hour or a the Wild and Scenic River System. Nio- can preview national parks in the Black weekend discovering the fascinating his- brara National Scenic River, near Valentine, Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, Hills and more of the country through our toric and natural world of your Wild & Nebraska offers river experiences from mild Phillip, South Dakota. movie night offerings of short videos from Scenic River. Find out what rangers do to wild, spectacular waterfalls , classic iron www.nps.gov/mimi several units of the National Park System. and what Junior Rangers can do to pro- bridges, and fascinating local history. For tect their national parks. more information, visit www.nps.gov/niob. Homestead National Monument of Amer- As in the past, MNRR also will be offering ica, Beatrice, Nebraska. campground programs at our Nebraska and It’s free and it’s fun! www.nps.gov/home South Dakota state park partner sites. Top- ics include native plants, American Indian For online Junior Ranger Badlands National Park, Interior, South history, homesteading, steamboats, and the adventures, visit Dakota. Lewis & Clark Expedition. For our www.nps.gov/webrangers www.nps.gov/badl younger visitors, we offer fishing clinics and hands-on programs. For a complete Discover your America 2 15 Canoeing & Kayaking Float trip Floating the Missouri can be an adventure, guides and Camping different from whitewater trips, but chal- The National Park Service does not operate lenging and exciting in its own way.