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Nebraska Pioneers Build a Shelter for All Seasons
Number of Qwest Pioneers in Nebraska:
NEBRASKA'S TOTAL MEMBERSHIP: 3,782
ACTIVE EMPLOYEES: 1,346
RETIRED LIFE MEMBERS: 2,436
1998-99 VOLUNTEER HOURS DONATED FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS: 4,699
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For hikers, bikers and equestrians along the Cowboy Trail in Nebraska, a
shelter along the route can be a welcome sight. As a part of their ongoing
support for our national and state parks, more than 70 Qwest
Pioneers recently met in Valentine, Nebraska to build a shelter and a section
of fence along this unique recreational trail.
The Cowboy Trail is one of many trails across the country that are being
donated to many states by the Rails to Trails Conservancy, an organization
dedicated to preserve unused railroad corridors by converting them to
recreational trails. All the land is then held in trust in case it is
ever needed for a transportation or utility corridor in the future.
The Pioneers' project is in Trailhead Park. Project Leader Jean Nordhues
directed the construction and says volunteers did everything from setting
posts to pulling weeds. "It was hard work, but everyone had a good time
contributing to the growth of the trail." She adds that the best part
came at the end of the day when people told her to let them know what
was next because they were looking forward to doing more projects.
Larry Voecks, Nebraska State recreational trail administrator says the
Qwest Pioneers are terrific. Voecks has worked with the
Pioneers before on three other trail projects at Nebraska's Smith Falls.
"They do a fantastic job coming to our aid to facilitate this kind of
project for the enjoyment of the general public," he says.
When completed the Cowboy Trail will be the longest rail-to-trail conversion in
the nation at 321 miles. It will traverse a variety of terrain, including farm
land, sand dunes and the Pine Ridge Forest. Presently, 51 miles of the trail
are complete. The rest of the trail will be completed as the resources become
available.
The Qwest Pioneers have similar projects at state and
national parks in many of Qwest's 14 states. If you'd
like to find out about how you can get in volved in a similar project
planned for this year, contact your local Pioneer Chapter.
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