Lewis & Clark Trail Heritage Foundation recognized Rose Oleson of Townsend with a national award at the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation dinner Aug. 11 in Great Falls.

Oleson received its 2008 Distinguished Service Award.

Oleson is a founding member of the Foundation's Crimson Bluffs Chapter in Townsend. She has served as the chapter president for 10 years, and in that time, has enthusiastically led the Crimson Bluffs Chapter to "tell the story and steward the trail" along the Upper Missouri River in the Townsend Valley.

"I'm very, very honored," said Oleson during a follow-up interview. "It's because of the Crimson Bluffs Chapter members, who worked so hard and what they've accomplished, that I received this award."

Oleson led the chapter's efforts to identify York's Island and to ensure the island's place on maps. She also directed the chapter's efforts to identify the Crimson Bluffs and to protect and preserve them for future generations.

She was instrumental in bringing Lewis and Clark speakers to Townsend. And she helped prepare an educational power point presentation for Broadwater schools and civic organizations.

The local chapter also hosted the Lewis and Clark Discovery Expedition of St. Charles, Missouri, during their 2005 re-enactment of the famous expedition.

She was also instrumental in the chapter's efforts to create a self-guided auto tour. Members carefully researched the Lewis and Clark Expedition's route through the Townsend Valley, and developed 17 interpretive markers and a colorful informative brochure.

And she helped guide efforts to install three large Lewis & Clark interpretive displays along the highway through Broadwater County.

Over many years, Oleson has led the Crimson Bluffs Chapter's efforts to serve as keepers of the story and stewards of the trail in the Townsend Valley.

"Rose has an amazing ability to coordinate with volunteers, other chapters, various state, local and federal agency personnel and interested parties to make sure projects and activities are completed in a timely manner and with professional quality results," according to the award nomination written by members of the Crimson Bluffs Chapter.

A nomination letter further notes, "Rose has been able to lead and encourage a small group of Lewis & Clark enthusiasts to do some pretty amazing things &ellipsis; Rose has been able to spot the individual abilities within our diverse group and get us to work together to accomplish more than even we expected we could."

The distinguished service award is presented annually to a foundation member who has made an outstanding contribution toward furthering the purpose and objectives of the foundation.

The foundation was established in 1969 and has headquarters in Great Falls. It partners with the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service in caring for the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.

The foundation has more than 5,000 members and is known as the "Keepers of the Story and Stewards of the Trail."

In addition, the foundation supports scholarship, education and research on the expedition.