The Centennial Legacy Projects represent the short term goals that were identified through listening sessions and feedback from our wonderful visitors. GNPF has undertaken these projects as a “birthday gift” to the Park in addition to help funding other programs and events for the Centennial. We invite you to help us reach our goal of $250,000 and make these projects a reality in 2010.

Increase the Number of Accessible Trails (proposed for Many Glacier area)
Many Glacier Valley is one of the most highly visited areas of the park, but it is presently lacking any accessible trails. A wheelchair accessible trail would be constructed on an existing trail; overlay of a resin binding material would be installed to give the trail a hardened and accessible walking surface.

Build a Watchable Wildlife Viewing Platform at Many Glacier
Design and build a wheelchair-accessible raised viewing platform in the Many Glacier area. A likely location is the parking lot median between Many Glacier Campground and Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, a location that offers 360 degree viewing and where interpreters typically have their spotting scopes set up for visitors. The platform would accommodate about 12-15 people in addition to scope tripods.

Preserve Heavens Peak Fire Lookout
Fully Funded as of 4/22/10
The most enduring legacy of the Civilian Public Service (CPS) Camp in Glacier National Park is the Heavens Peak Lookout, which the men constructed in 1945. The Lookout was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1986 and embodies the National Park Service rustic design philosophy of buildings that are “harmonious” with the landscape. The Lookout is in critical need of immediate stabilization if it is to be preserved.

Upgrade Logan Pass Visitor Center Exterior Exhibits and Trail Information
Logan Pass is the most visited spot in Glacier National Park and current exhibits and information available are not well coordinated and therefore do not aid visitor understanding. This project will provide, in the main plaza directly behind the visitor center, several wayside exhibit panels focusing on the geologic history of the spectacular mountain landscape.

Develop “People in Glacier” Education Materials for the Discover Glacier Program
This project would develop a Glacier Education Curriculum focusing on how the human use of Glacier resources has changed over time and how human impact will affect the future of this place. The materials developed will meet the Montana Social Studies Performance and Content Standards.

Restore Dark Night Skies Initiative
In the 21st Century, Glacier National Park has the potential to harbor some of the last remaining portals of darkness in this country. Natural night skies in the US have become rare and are threatened by light pollution -- the cumulative glow of poorly designed outdoor lighting. As the public loses the experience of a dark sky in their backyards, they are increasingly seeking it out in their national parks.

Continue the “Citizen Science in Glacier High Country” Program
The High Country Citizen Science project engages volunteers to collect data on the number and distribution of three high country wildlife species of management concern: mountain goats, Clark's Nutcrackers, and pikas. Glacier National Park Fund supported the project in 2008 and 2009. Because of the program’s success, the park has requested that it be extend through the Centennial year.