Bessy Ranger District Hiking Medallion by L.W. Bristol Classics
$7.00
In stock
Shipping calculated in cart/checkout:Â Shipping rates for first items start at $7, calculated based on weight of total order.
The official Bessey Ranger District hiking medallion, made by L.W. Bristol Classics and approved by Nebraska National Forests. Die-cut enamel on metal, sized to clip onto hiking sticks, trekking poles, bike frames, or anything else you want to mark the miles on.
- Enamel on metal construction, die-cut in the shape of the design
- Size: approx. 1 3/4″ at longest point (0.3 oz, light enough to forget it’s there)
- Features the Bessey nursery tree, grown at the on-site nursery that produces millions of seedlings each year
- Proceeds support Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands and other BHPFA partner parks and forests.
- A good pick for anyone who has hiked or camped in the Halsey area, or collects park medallions
In stock
60-day returns · Ships from South Dakota via USPS
Bessy Ranger District Hiking Medallion by L.W. Bristol Classics
$7.00
In stock
Shipping calculated in cart/checkout:Â Shipping rates for first items start at $7, calculated based on weight of total order.
The official Bessey Ranger District hiking medallion, made by L.W. Bristol Classics and approved by Nebraska National Forests. Die-cut enamel on metal, sized to clip onto hiking sticks, trekking poles, bike frames, or anything else you want to mark the miles on.
- Enamel on metal construction, die-cut in the shape of the design
- Size: approx. 1 3/4″ at longest point (0.3 oz, light enough to forget it’s there)
- Features the Bessey nursery tree, grown at the on-site nursery that produces millions of seedlings each year
- Proceeds support Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands and other BHPFA partner parks and forests.
- A good pick for anyone who has hiked or camped in the Halsey area, or collects park medallions
In stock
60-day returns · Ships from South Dakota via USPS
Real USPS rates, no markup. The money we save funds trail crews and internships.
Join BHPFA for $30 a year -> get your code by email in seconds. -> Use it at checkout today. Show your card at hundreds of nonprofit park stores nationwide for 10% off.
Every item is selected or approved by rangers and staff. Your purchase keeps them on the front lines.
Real USPS rates, no markup. The money we save funds trail crews and internships.
Join BHPFA for $30 a year -> get your code by email in seconds. -> Use it at checkout today. Show your card at hundreds of nonprofit park stores nationwide for 10% off.
Every item is selected or approved by rangers and staff. Your purchase keeps them on the front lines.
Description
About this medallion
This is the official hiking medallion for the Bessey Ranger District of the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands. It’s made by L.W. Bristol Classics, a Tennessee-based manufacturer that has been producing custom hiking medallions, pins, and patches for parks and historic sites since the 1980s. The design features the tree associated with the Bessey nursery, the working on-site nursery that has been supplying seedlings to replant and maintain the forest since the early 1900s.
The medallion is die-cut enamel on metal and weighs 0.3 oz. Standard hiking stick size (about 1 3/4 inches at the longest point). It attaches to a hiking stick, trekking pole, bike frame, or display board the same way as other park hiking medallions in this line.
The Bessey Ranger District
The Nebraska National Forest at Halsey is unlike any other national forest in the country. Every tree in it was planted by hand. In the late 1800s, the prevailing belief was that trees could not grow in the Nebraska Sandhills. Dr. Charles E. Bessey, a University of Nebraska botanist, disagreed. He persuaded President Theodore Roosevelt and first Forest Service Chief Gifford Pinchot to set aside two treeless sandhills tracts as forest reserves in 1902. What followed was a federal planting experiment that took decades and the labor of the Civilian Conservation Corps to establish.
Today the Bessey Ranger District manages over 90,000 acres of public land tucked into one of the largest contiguous and least disturbed prairie systems in the United States. The Bessey Nursery on site produces 2.5 to 3 million seedlings per year, continuing reforestation work that started more than a century ago. The forest is widely cited as the largest hand-planted forest in the Western Hemisphere. That history is what’s on the medallion.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: L.W. Bristol Classics (Bristol, TN)
- Construction: Enamel on metal, die-cut
- Size: Approx. 1 1/4″ x 1 3/4″ (1.78″ die cut)
- Weight: 0.3 oz
- Approved by: Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands (USFS)
Who is this for?
If you have hiked, camped, or hunted at the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey, this is the medallion for that trip. It fits the same hiking stick hardware as the other BHPFA park medallions, so it works well alongside medallions from Wind Cave, Jewel Cave, Scotts Bluff, or any of the other partner sites.
It also works as a standalone collectible for anyone who collects park hiking medallions, or as a small gift for someone who knows the Bessey District’s story.
Frequently asked questions
What does this medallion attach to?
Hiking sticks, trekking poles, bike frames, or any surface with compatible hardware. Standard hiking stick medallion attachment point works with most commercially available hiking sticks that accept medallions.
What is die-cut enamel?
Die-cut means the medallion is stamped into the shape of the design rather than a standard circle or square. The enamel is color-filled into recessed areas of the metal for a durable, bright finish that holds up to outdoor use.
Is this an official park product?
Yes. This medallion is approved by the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands, which is managed by the USDA Forest Service. BHPFA is the official nonprofit cooperating association for Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands.
Does buying this support Nebraska National Forests?
Yes. BHPFA is the official nonprofit partner of Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Scotts Bluff National Monument, and Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, as well as the Black Hills National Forest and Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands. Proceeds from every purchase support education programs, conservation projects, and visitor services at these sites.
What other Bessey or Nebraska National Forest products does BHPFA carry?
BHPFA carries several other items for Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands visitors. Browse the full Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands collection.
How does this compare to other hiking medallions in the BHPFA line?
All BHPFA hiking medallions in this line are made by L.W. Bristol Classics and priced at $4.99. Each has a park- or site-specific design. The Bessey medallion features the nursery tree; other designs include the Wind Cave bison, the Jewel Cave cave entrance, and more. They’re the same size and construction, so they display well together on the same stick.
Can I collect medallions from all BHPFA partner sites?
Yes. BHPFA carries hiking medallions for most of its partner sites: Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Scotts Bluff National Monument, and Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands. Browse the Collectibles section to see the full set.
Every Purchase Makes a Difference
When you shop with Black Hills Parks & Forests Association, you are directly funding:
- Education programs — nature workshops, Junior Ranger activities, and homeschool adventures for kids across the Black Hills
- Trail maintenance — keeping hiking trails safe and accessible at Wind Cave, Jewel Cave, and the Black Hills National Forest
- Visitor services — park store operations, interpretive programs, and the staff who help millions of visitors each year
- Conservation — supporting the long-term health of public lands in the Black Hills and Nebraska
BHPFA is the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service in the Black Hills region. We have supported these public lands since 1946.
Additional information
| Weight | 1 oz |
|---|---|
| Brand | L.W. Bristol Classics |
| Dimensions | 1 1/4 in x 1 3/4 in |
| Weight | 0.3 oz |
| Material | Enamel on metal |
Note on International Orders
Some countries charge import duties, VAT, or handling fees on delivery. These are set by your local government and are not included in our checkout total. Customers are responsible for paying any such charges before receiving their package.
