DAYTON, Wash. — Only seven Washington communities will have the chance to see the traveling Lewis & Clark exhibit, “Corp of Discovery II,” and Dayton is among them. The Natural Park Service exhibit will visit May 12-15, giving local residents a better understanding of the traditional and tribal lessons of Lewis & Clark’s monumental journey. The PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning, the charitable arm of Pacific Power, is donating $5,000 to toward the cost of bringing the exhibit to Dayton.

“All the schools in the area – from Walla Walla to Pomeroy – will benefit from this display,” said Bill Clemens, regional community manager for Pacific Power. “This is a perfect example of an educational program that pays huge dividends to large and small Washington communities.”

“Corps of Discovery II: 200 Years to the Future” is a joint effort of federal and state agencies, private and nonprofit organizations, and American Indian tribes. The National Park Service provides major funding, exhibit design and production, transportation, and support staff through the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, based in Omaha, Nebraska.
The free public exhibition provides opportunities for citizens of all ages to learn more about the legendary 1803-06 exploration and its significance in American history. The central feature of Corps of Discovery II is the “Tent of Many Voices.” The 150-seat auditorium is a venue for cultural arts demonstrations, folklore, music, living history presentations, readings from the expedition journals and more. Programs reflect a spectrum of nature, culture and history topics of particular interest along the Eastern Legacy of the Lewis and Clark Trail and the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.

“We expect at least 3,200 people to visit Corps of Discovery II,” said Jennie Dickinson Chamber of Commerce executive director. “This event will bring people to our hotels, restaurants, retail stores and other events in the community. Diversifying Dayton’s economy with tourism has kept our retailers viable, and we do get a high rate of return visits.”

For more information, log on to: www.nps.gov/lecl/CorpsII/Corps2.htm

In its latest round of grants, the PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning awarded nearly $63,000 civic and community grants to 14 nonprofit education programs throughout Oregon. It also awarded $12,500 to small capital improvement projects in Portland, Moro and Medford.

About the PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning

The PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning was created and incorporated as a corporate foundation in 1988 in order to become the major channel of philanthropy for PacifiCorp, Pacific Power and Utah Power. PacifiCorp and its employees have a long tradition of active involvement in the communities served by Pacific Power, including charitable contributions, sponsorships of community events and in-kind donations. The Foundation’s civic and community grants are one of four groups of awards each year. Other award categories are education, arts and culture, and health and human services. The Foundation’s mission is to foster strategic sustainable learning initiatives that serve the best aspirations of individuals, organizations and communities, and that enhance and develop their capabilities to address significant challenges and opportunities.To apply for a grant, and to review specific eligibility requirements, please go to www.pacificorpfoundation.org