EFFIGY MOUNDS NATIONAL MONUMENT NATIONAL MOUNDS EFFIGY a R Esource Assessment

® EFFIGY MOUNDS NATIONAL MONUMENT NATIONAL MOUNDS EFFIGY A R esource Assessment

July 2009

Center for State of the Parks ®

More than a century ago, Congress established Yellowstone as the CONTENTS world’s first national park. That single act was the beginning of a remarkable and ongoing effort to protect this nation’s natural, historical, and cultural heritage. Today, Americans are learning that national park designation INTRODUCTION 1 alone cannot provide full resource protection. Many parks are EFFIGY MOUNDS NATIONAL compromised by development of adjacent lands, air and water pollu- tion, invasive plants and animals, and rapid increases in motorized MONUMENT AT A GLANCE 3 recreation. Park officials often lack adequate information on the RATINGS 4 status of and trends in conditions of critical resources. The National Parks Conservation Association initiated the State of KEY FINDINGS 6 the Parks program in 2000 to assess the condition of natural and cultural resources in the parks, and determine how well equipped the RESOURCE MANAGEMENT National Park Service is to protect the parks—its stewardship capac- HIGHLIGHTS 8 ity. The goal is to provide information that will help policymakers, the public, and the National Park Service improve conditions in THE EFFIGY MOUNDS national parks, celebrate successes as models for other parks, and NATIONAL MONUMENT ensure a lasting legacy for future generations. ASSESSMENT 10 For more information about the methodology and research used in preparing this report and to learn more about the Center for State CULTURAL RESOURCES 10 of the Parks, visit www.npca.org/stateoftheparks or contact: NPCA, Rich History Protected and Center for State of the Parks, P.O. Box 737, Fort Collins, CO 80522; phone: 970.493.2545; email: [email protected]. Interpreted NATURAL RESOURCES 15 Since 1919, the National Parks Conservation Association has been Wide Array of Resources on Display the leading voice of the American people in protecting and enhanc- ing our National Park System. NPCA, its members, and partners work Throughout the Monument together to protect the park system and preserve our nation’s natural, STEWARDSHIP CAPACITY 19 historical, and cultural heritage for generations to come. APPENDIX: METHODOLOGY 24 * More than 325,000 members * Twenty-four regional and field offices * More than 120,000 activists

A special note of appreciation goes to those whose generous grants and donations made this report possible: MSST Foundation, Ben and Ruth Hammett, Marty and Lee Talbot, and anonymous donors. Cover: The overlook at Fire Point provides impressive views of the Mississippi River. Photo courtesy of the National Park Service. INTRODUCTION NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

1 Effigy Mounds National Monument

Effigy Mounds National Monument offers a ing numerous recreational opportunities for Effigy Mounds unique glimpse into the lives of precontact visitors. American Indians built the earthen National Monument is home to a long line American Indians (i.e., American Indians before mounds for which the park was named some- of bear effigies, the arrival of Europeans or Euro-Americans) in time during the Woodland Period (1000 B.C. to shown here, known a setting that is a nature lover’s paradise. Nestled A.D. 1000) for burial and other ceremonial as the Marching Bear along the western bank of the Mississippi River purposes that remain a mystery. Some archaeol- Group. in northeastern Iowa, the park remains a largely ogists believe the mounds were built to mark undiscovered gem within the National Park celestial events or seasonal observances, while System, protecting an array of nationally signif- others speculate they were constructed as terri- icant cultural and natural resources while offer- torial markers or as boundaries between groups. The earliest mound within the park was built some 2,500 years ago during the Early Woodland Period (1000 to 300 B.C.). Mounds built during the Early Woodland NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Period were similar to mounds constructed during the Late Archaic Period (3000 to 1000 B.C.)—shaped like a cone with red ochre (pigment made from naturally tinted clay) scat- tered throughout the mound. Over time, the size, shape, and designs of Woodland culture mounds changed. The Hopewell Culture, a 2 Middle Woodland mound-building culture, also influenced the Middle Woodland Period mound builders through a complex exchange network of exotic goods and ideas. By the Late Woodland Period (A.D. 500 to 1000), mound design began to shift away from conical forms, and mounds in the shape of animals became common. While the Effigy Mound-Builders (as those from the Late Woodland Period are some- time called) continued to construct conical and linear mounds for burial and other ceremonial

Effigy Mounds National Monument they also built effigy mounds, which typically took the shape of five basic forms—birds; animals in plan view, or as viewed from above (turtles and lizards); tailed animals lying on their side (panthers and wildcats); tail-less animals lying on their side (bears or buffalo); and, though rare, humans. The mounds at Effigy Mounds National Monument include a long line of bear effigies known as the Marching Bear Group, several bird effigies, linear mounds, large conical mounds, and compound mounds (a combination of conical and linear mounds). Together these mounds comprise one of the EFFIGY MOUNDS NATIONAL MONUMENT largest concentrations of American Indian AT A GLANCE mounds in the United States. In addition to the significant cultural resources protected within Effigy Mounds • Distinguished cultural resources: The monument preserves National Monument, bountiful natural more than 200 precontact mounds built by people during the resources surround the monument’s mounds. Woodland Period, making it one of the largest concentrations Situated in the Driftless Area, a part of the of American Indian mounds in the United States. The park also Midwest untouched by the last glacial advance seeks funds to research and interpret the area’s later history— (which ended 10,000 years ago), the monu- Euro-American settlement, military activity in the area during ment contains habitats ranging from wetlands the early to mid-19th century, and the removal of American to upland forests that support numerous animal Indians to reservations during the mid-19th century. 3 and plant species, including federally and state- • Striking natural resources: Effigy Mounds National Monument listed rare species such as Higgins eye pearly- is one of the largest protected natural areas in the state of Iowa, mussel, peregrine falcon, and jeweled shoot- rendering it an important refuge for plants and animals. The ingstar. The monument’s impressive natural monument contains diverse ecosystems and habitats; threat- resources can be experienced from a number of ened and endangered species; a 3.6-mile length of the Yellow scenic overlooks and on hiking trails that River; numerous resident and migratory bird species; unique meander for miles. caves, sinkholes, springs, and subsurface caverns that support President Harry S. Truman established Effigy varied microclimates and plant and animal species; and four Mounds National Monument in 1949, to ponds that provide important habitat for wetland and aquatic preserve and protect the earth mounds for their species.

scientific value and significance to precontact Effigy Mounds National Monument American Indian peoples. The park’s mandate • Recreational activities: October is the most popular month to was expanded by legislation in 1961 to include visit the park, when the fall foliage bursts with stunning colors. the protection and interpretation of wildlife Five scenic overlooks (Eagle Rock, Fire Point, Third Scenic View, resources, scenic viewsheds, and other natural Twin Views, and Hanging Rock), all within the park’s North Unit, resources of the area. Today the park encom- offer visitors the chance to take in expansive and sweeping passes 2,526 acres within four units: North views of the Mississippi River Valley and surrounding areas. Unit, South Unit, Sny Magill Unit, and the Effigy Mounds also offers 14 miles of hiking trails and ranger-led Heritage Addition. The addition was acquired in guided hikes throughout the park’s various habitats when staff 2000 to protect a host of cultural and natural are available. resources, including the remains of the Jefferson Davis Sawmill that was built to provide lumber The Yellow River Bridge Trail leads visitors through some of the monu- for the construction of Fort Crawford (see page ment’s wetland areas. 11), as well as floodplain forests, upland forests, goat prairies, and savannah remnants that support myriad animal and plant species. A thorough survey of the Heritage Addition is now needed to identify additional resources NATIONAL PARK SERVICE that are located there. Note: When interpreting the scores for resource conditions, recognize that critical information upon which the ratings are based is not always available. This limits data interpretation to some extent. For Effigy Mounds National Monument, 94 percent of the cultural resources information was available, and 57 percent of the natural resources information was available.

RESOURCE CATEGORY CURRENT

CULTURAL RESOURCES

Overall conditions 80 FAIR Archaeology 85 4 Cultural Landscapes 76 Ethnography (Peoples and Cultures) 85 Historic Structures 76 History 88 Museum Collection and Archives 74

RATINGS SCALE 0–35 36–60 61–80 81–90 91–100

CRITICAL POOR FAIR GOOD EXCELLENT

NATURAL RESOURCES

Overall conditions 72 FAIR Environmental and Biotic Measures 74 Effigy Mounds National Monument Biotic Impacts and Stressors 74 Air 72 Water 73 Soils 78 Ecosystems Measures 71 Species Composition and Condition 69 Ecosystem Extent and Function 73

RATINGS SCALE 0–35 36–60 61–80 81–90 91–100

CRITICAL POOR FAIR GOOD EXCELLENT

The findings in this report do not necessarily reflect past or current park management. Many factors that affect resource conditions are a result of both human and natural influences over long periods of time, in many cases pre-dating the park’s creation. The intent of the Center for State of the Parks is not to evaluate National Park Service staff performance, but to document the present status of park resources and determine which actions can be taken to protect them in the future.

RATINGS research on the park’s more recent historic In recognition of the important historical and resources, such as the 19th-century homesteads natural resources protected within Effigy and early pioneer settlement sites. Mounds National Monument, the National A limited number of staff (e.g., the park Parks Conservation Association’s Center for lacks a full-time cultural resource specialist, State of the Parks conducted an assessment to museum curator, historian, and archivist), determine current conditions of the park’s limited funds to restore cultural landscapes resources. Based on this assessment, overall and historic structures, and lack of funds to conditions of the park’s known cultural survey and protect resources in the Heritage resources rated a “fair” score of 80 out of 100. Addition, which accounts for 41 percent of the The scores for cultural resources are based on park, are challenges the park faces. The park the results of indicator questions that reflect the also needs to update key planning and 5 National Park Service’s own Cultural Resource management documents. Management Guideline and other policies related Overall conditions of the park’s known to cultural and historical resources. natural resources rated a score of 72 out of 100, Effigy Mounds benefits from a strong base of indicating “fair” conditions. Ratings were historic and archaeological research, including a assigned through an evaluation of park research historic resource study, administrative history, and monitoring data using NPCA’s Center for and an archaeological overview and assessment. State of the Parks comprehensive assessment In addition, park staff work to maintain positive methodology (see “Appendix”). Factors that relationships with traditionally associated influenced the natural resources score include American Indian groups and have worked with the encroachment of woody species into

these groups to perform several repatriation savanna and prairie ecosystems; the growing Effigy Mounds National Monument ceremonies where human remains and associ- populations of invasive non-native plant species, ated objects were reburied within the park. particularly in the wetland and riparian habitats; Effigy Mounds protects numerous archaeo- and the incompatible development occurring logical sites, including more than 200 precon- just outside the monument’s boundaries. tact mounds, as well as the historic remains of several manmade structures and other historic sites and resources. The park has an archaeological overview and assessment that was completed in 2004; Effigy Mounds’ archaeological resources are listed in the Park Service’s Effigy Mounds National Monument Archeological Sites Management Information System; 25 of the 28 rated archaeological sites Park location Northeastern Iowa, on the western bank are in “good” condition; and the park works of the Mississippi River closely with archaeological staff from the Midwest Archeological Center in Lincoln, Park 1949 Nebraska. While the park has completed much establishment research on the mounds and precontact period, additional work would contribute to the Park size (acres) 2,526 (in four units) cultural resource knowledge base. Potential projects include a survey of the Heritage Annual number 88,268 Addition to locate and document archaeologi- of visitors (2007) cal and other cultural resources, as well as

KEY FINDINGS

• Adjacent development detrimental to • Funding lacking for research: The park park resources: Effigy Mounds National has a number of top-priority resource Monument is surrounded by farms and projects that require funds to complete, residential areas, making the park a sanc- including constructing a walking trail to tuary for native plant and animal species. the Marching Bear Group; collecting oral Park lands are not well connected to histories from the park’s traditionally asso- nearby natural lands, and the risk exists ciated groups on issues regarding group that the monument could become further member visitation to Effigy Mounds and isolated. Development hinders the move- the significance of the area to the 6 ment of wildlife into and out of the park tribe/nation, among others; recording oral and affects nesting bird species by reduc- histories of employees (past and current) ing the availability of suitable nesting and others with a significant history with habitat. This adjacent development also the park; and surveying, controlling, and threatens Effigy Mounds’ cultural monitoring the invasive non-native garlic resources, including the archaeological mustard plant. Additional projects include resources located on or near the park’s completing a boundary survey of the boundary, which is undefined in areas and entire monument; reorganizing and makes protection even more difficult. expanding the monument’s museum These resources are in danger of being storage space to properly house the disturbed by the development or agricul- park’s collections; researching the park’s

Effigy Mounds National Monument tural activities on adjacent land. The park lesser-known historic structures (e.g., the needs a boundary survey so park staff and military road, cistern, Jefferson Davis adjacent landowners know where the Sawmill, and precontact rock shelters and park’s boundary lies. habitation sites); and completing a thorough survey of resources in the newly • Invasive non-native plants threaten acquired Heritage Addition. native species: Although researchers believe that the monument’s non-native • Plans and reports outdated: Effigy invasive species are still manageable, Mounds National Monument’s planning several species are beginning to pose a needs include an update to the general serious threat. Park managers consider management plan (scheduled to be invasive species control to be a priority completed in 2009), a resource steward- and have identified seven species that are ship strategy (draft under way), an update of the greatest concern: common buck- to the long-range interpretive plan thorn, garlic mustard, Japanese barberry, (scheduled to be completed in 2010), an multiflora rose, reed canary grass, sericea ethnographic overview and assessment, lespedeza, and shrub honeysuckle. The an update to the collection management park uses chemical herbicides, mechani- plan, a scope of collections statement, a cal means of removal (mowing, pulling, cultural landscape report for the Sny and cutting), and prescribed burns to Magill Creek and Yellow River cultural combat some of these non-native invasive landscapes, and a historic structure report plant species. for the precontact mounds and other historic structures. The monument’s The monument uses prescribed burns in its efforts to combat invasive non-native plants. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Heritage Addition, which was acquired in summer 2009, the park received funds to 2000, also needs to be thoroughly begin filling some of these natural Effigy Mounds National Monument surveyed for archaeological and ethno- resource positions. Effigy Mounds has not graphic resources. Once the general been able to fund a full-time visitor and management plan and resource steward- resource protection program, leaving the ship strategy are completed, park staff public and resources unprotected for up can write the more focused resource- to five months per year, despite known specific plans (some of which are listed resource violations occurring year-round. above) to address the goals set out within According to a National Park Service the larger planning documents. study, the monument’s visitor and resource protection program requires an • Increased staffing critical: Effigy Mounds additional 1.25 full-time equivalent (FTE) does not have any staff members that are positions to bring the program up to the dedicated solely to cultural resources. The minimal national safety and security stan- museum collection would benefit from a dards. The monument’s resource educa- permanent full-time museum technician tion and interpretation division needs to care for the 34,800 items in the museum include two additional full-time rangers, collection and archives and a full-time one full-time park guide, and more FTE cultural resource manager or specialist. seasonal rangers. The monument’s natural resource staffing needs include an additional permanent full-time biologist, a permanent subject- to-furlough biological technician, and three seasonal biological technicians. In RESOURCE MANAGEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

• Prescribed burns used as management woody plant species. Eighty acres of tool. Effigy Mounds National Monument prairie within the monument have been staff are using prescribed burns to accom- restored. The mounds within the Sny plish a number of objectives: restore Magill Unit have also received restoration remnant prairie habitats that have been attention: Staff have cut down trees, encroached on by woody species, main- removed stumps, and planted native tain the openness of important existing vegetation in an effort to reduce erosion prairie and savannah habitats, provide and re-establish native habitat. habitat for native wildlife, and combat • Repatriation ceremonies and oral histo- 8 invasive non-native plant species. A fire ries connect the park to traditionally management plan, updated in early 2009 associated peoples. Effigy Mounds and in the final approval stage at the National Monument staff and affiliated Midwest Region Fire Management Office, American Indian groups have performed will guide this work. three repatriation ceremonies, in which • Landscape restoration ongoing. Park human remains and objects from the Service staff have been restoring the park’s museum collection have been monument’s habitats to their native reburied within the national monument. species composition and condition since In an effort to record the histories of the the 1990s. Effigy Mounds National monument’s associated American Indian Monument includes 50 acres of oak groups, staff have also completed a series Effigy Mounds National Monument Park ranger Merle savannah, of which 15 have been restored of oral histories of tribal members from Frommelt addresses by removing trees and shrubs (3 inches in the Ho-Chunk, Iowa, and Sac & Fox a group of teachers during a summer diameter or less) to free the oaks from groups. The monument would like to workshop session. encroachment, followed by prescribed interview representatives from the other The park’s workshops burns to spur regeneration of native culturally affiliated tribes as well. offer area educators savannah grasses. In the park’s open fields opportunities to • Archaeological resources protected. and prairies, staff conduct prescribed expand their environ- Despite inadequate funding and being burns on a seven-to ten-year cycle to stim- mental education stretched thin, Effigy Mounds staff have curriculum. ulate growth and reduce encroaching successfully enforced archaeological resource protection laws. In 2008, an adjacent landowner was charged with a civil KEN BLOCK violation of the Archeological Resource Protection Act, netting a penalty of more than $19,000. This judgment is one of the largest Archeological Resource Protection Act penalties in Park Service history.

• Native species reintroduction. In the late 1990s, Effigy Mounds staff worked with the Raptor Resource Project, a nonprofit organization based in Iowa, to reintroduce Park staff and members of the Raptor Resource Project reintroduced peregrine falcons to NATIONAL PARK SERVICE northern Iowa during the late 1990s. Here, a peregrine falcon is being introduced to a temporary home atop Hanging Rock. The bird was later released after acclimating to the location. 9

peregrine falcons, extirpated from the education, and this is an opportunity for area in 1964, back into northern Iowa by educators to expand their curriculum. establishing a reintroduction and monitor- Partnerships between the park and asso- Effigy Mounds National Monument ing site within the monument at Hanging ciated American Indian tribes, regional Rock. The program released a total of 18 archaeological organizations, and Silos falcons in 1998 and 1999, and now there and Smokestacks National Heritage Area are 24 breeding pairs that nest and repro- enhance the workshops. During the duce in the Upper Mississippi Valley as a school year, ranger-guided walks and result of these efforts. Scientists from the interpretive presentations educate area Bell Museum of Natural History and The students about the cultural and natural Raptor Center at the University of resources of the region. Minnesota monitor the reintroduction • General management plan updates program’s progress. coming soon. Effigy Mounds National • Park educates both teachers and Monument is scheduled to complete an students. Effigy Mounds National updated general management plan in Monument offers teacher workshops that 2009. This overarching planning docu- are popular with area educators. The ment will include an overview of workshops, managed by a staff member management directions and priorities, who is a retired local schoolteacher, offer addressing issues of visitor access, continuing education credit for the 250 boundaries/ownership, education, and teachers that take part in the program cultural and natural resources. every summer. This program is particularly significant because the State of Iowa does not currently require environmental THE EFFIGY MOUNDS NATIONAL MONUMENT ASSESSMENT KRISTEN MAXFIELD

10 Effigy Mounds National Monument

Thirty-one of the CULTURAL RESOURCES— cultural resources are in “fair” condition. Effigy monument’s more RICH HISTORY PROTECTED AND Mounds’ history, ethnography, and archaeology than 200 mounds INTERPRETED programs all received high scores and reflect the were built in the shape of birds or park’s success in protecting cultural resources bears. The Marching Effigy Mounds National Monument scored an and maintaining positive relationships with Bear Group shown overall 80 out of 100 for the condition of traditionally associated American Indian here includes ten cultural resources, including history, historic groups. Additional studies and plans such as an “marching bears,” structures, ethnography, cultural landscapes, ethnographic overview and assessment, an three bird mounds, and two linear archaeology, and museum collection and updated collection management plan, and a mounds. archives. A score of 80 indicates that the park’s historic structures report for the precontact mounds and other historic structures are The mounds are integral components in the needed, as are staff positions to care for the cultures of contemporary American Indian park’s cultural landscapes and historic struc- tribes in the region, who view them as sacred tures, including the precontact mounds and the ceremonial sites that provide a link to their museum collection and archives. Additional ancestors. Staff at Effigy Mounds National precontact resources in need of further research Monument participate in the general upkeep of include habitation and rock shelter sites. these features and their surroundings in order to prevent potential damage to the mounds and to PARK PRESERVES A WINDOW INTO facilitate interpretation of these cultural THE LIVES OF PRECONTACT features. This work includes removing trees and AMERICAN INDIANS stumps on and near mounds, repairing any Precontact peoples in the Midwest region first damage from the trees or burrowing animals, 11 constructed burial and ceremonial mounds mowing the mounds biannually to hinder during the Archaic Period (8000 to 1000 B.C.). woody plant and shrub growth from shading The earliest mounds within Effigy Mounds the mounds, and controlling invasive non- National Monument date much later to the native plant species. Early Woodland Period and were built approxi- The Sny Magill Unit contains more than half mately 2,500 years ago. Effigy Mounds contains of the park’s mounds. Because several of these at least 206 mounds, 31 of which are effigies in mounds are located next to the Mississippi the shape of bears and birds. Most of the monu- River, they are threatened by sedimentation and ment’s mounds are in “good” or “fair” condi- erosion. Park staff have placed buoys in tion. Of the 213 structures on the list of classi- Johnson Slough to identify the “no wake” zone

fied structures, just two are not mounds: the old adjacent to the Sny Magill Unit in an effort to Effigy Mounds National Monument military road and the cistern near old military reduce the effects of large wakes from water road, and five structures are in the process of traffic on the river’s banks. Staff from the verification. According to the list, 149 of the Midwest Archeological Center also conducted Removing stumps (shown here) and park’s historic structures are in “good” condi- riverbank stabilization projects in 1994 and trees near mounds is tion, 48 are “fair” condition, and 16 are in 2008, in hopes of slowing the deterioration of an important part of “poor” condition. Little Bear Mound, one of the those mounds. caring for these monument’s best examples of an effigy mound, cultural features. and Great Bear Mound, the largest effigy mound PARK’S RESOURCES EXTEND BEYOND in the monument, are both located in the park’s PRECONTACT MOUNDS North Unit. The Marching Bear Group, located In addition to more than 200 mounds, the park in the South Unit, contains ten “marching contains other historic structures, some of bears,” three bird mounds, and two linear which are from the area’s more recent history, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE mounds. such as a remnant of a military road, a cistern, The mounds located within the monument and the remains of a sawmill. These resources were sometimes used for burials, while others help the park interpret the area’s history beyond did not contain any human remains but may the mounds, and better place the area within have been built for ceremonial purposes. The United States history. Late Woodland Period is often referred to as the In 1816, Fort Crawford was built on an Effigy Mound-Builder period because the island in the Mississippi River near Prairie du mounds contained few if any bodies, which Chien, Wisconsin, to protect American interests represents a digression from earlier mound within the Louisiana Purchase, guard arriving builder practices. settlers, and enforce treaties with American Indians. A sawmill was built on the Yellow River threats. This work would have to be conducted in 1829 to provide lumber for construction of a by the Midwest Archeological Center or be new Fort Crawford, which was being built on contracted out to a third party. higher ground on a hill near the Mississippi In 1840, a military road was built across what River’s eastern bank. In 1831, Colonel Zachary is now the monument’s South Unit to connect Taylor (later the 12th president of the United Fort Crawford with Fort Atkinson (also built in States), commanding officer at Fort Crawford, 1840) 40 miles to the west. Teams of mules sent Lieutenant Jefferson Davis (who later pulled wagons containing supplies between the became the president of the Confederate States forts on the military road. Fort Atkinson was of America during the Civil War) to oversee built to protect the Winnebago Indians from operations at the sawmill. Before the mill was rival tribes, but this responsibility ended in 1848 12 decommissioned in 1849, it also provided when the government moved the Winnebago construction materials for the Winnebago tribe to a reservation in Minnesota. The military tribe’s Yellow River Mission School. The mission continued to use the road until 1849 when Fort school was built in 1834 under the direction of Crawford was abandoned. Following the aban- General Joseph Street, U.S. Indian agent of the donment, pioneers continued to use the road Winnebago, and taught Winnebago students until 1860. Today the historic military road is in until 1840. The remains of the sawmill, now “fair” condition and is still visible within the known as Jefferson Davis Sawmill, are at least monument’s South Unit, but is not interpreted. partially located within the Heritage Addition Park staff would like to complete research and unit of the park. Monument staff recommend interpret the road and other historic resources that an archaeological overview and assessment (e.g., 19th-century homesteads and early

Effigy Mounds National Monument and survey for other resources be produced for pioneer settlement sites) in the park, but need to the Heritage Addition to assess current resource acquire funding to do so. conditions and to identify present and future

This small mortar and grinding stone are part of the monument’s museum collection. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE STAFF NEEDED TO CARE FOR THE collection as a part-time collateral duty, and on PARK’S MUSEUM COLLECTION AND assistance from seasonal staff, an archivist at the ARCHIVES Midwest Regional Office, and curators and The museum collection and archives at Effigy museum technicians from the Park Service’s Mounds contain approximately 34,800 items, Midwest Archeological Center. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE of which 30,800 have been cataloged. The To best care for the monument’s museum Ellison Orr Collection makes up the bulk of the collection and archives, staff need planning park’s holdings and is comprised of artifacts documents to help guide management deci- such as pottery, points, stone tools, pot sherds, sions. Unfortunately many of the park’s stone flakes, a research library, manuscripts and museum management plans are either outdated personal papers, mineral and fossil specimens, or have not been completed. For example, the and a herbarium that were part of archaeologist most recent scope of collections statement, 13 Ellison Orr’s personal collection. Orr exten- which defines the purpose and significance of sively surveyed the mound area from the 1920s the park’s museum and archival collections and Exhibits at the visitor into the 1940s. guides a park’s acquisition and preservation of center feature items The park exhibits 171 museum objects for the museum objects, dates from 1992. The monu- from the monu- public at the museum within the visitor center, ment’s collection management plan, which ment’s museum but needs additional exhibit space and artifacts, provides short-term and long-term guidance to collection, such as this slab of catlinite as previously displayed resources were removed staff in the management and care of museum (a type of stone) with for repatriation. The remaining objects represent objects and archives, was completed in 1997. pictographs on each the park’s premier items, such as precontact Staff have requested funding to update the side. American Indian artifacts. The majority of the scope of collections statement and the collec-

monument’s remaining objects are stored in the tion management plan; staff have also asked for Effigy Mounds National Monument lower level of the visitor center, which meets the funds to complete an exhibit plan, a collection National Park Service’s minimum standards for condition survey, and a risk assessment of the artifact storage (e.g., temperature and humidity collection as a whole. Additional funding are monitored, artifacts are contained in metal requests have been made for designing and storage cabinets, archives are kept in file cabinets installing new museum exhibits and exhibit and on bookshelves, and maps and drawings are cases; restoring books within the Ellison Orr stored in map files). Although the space meets collection; correcting museum deficiencies (e.g., minimum standards, the storage area has a lack of space for archival items, inadequate light couple of shortfalls. There is little room to view monitoring, limited security, and issues with maps and documents, it is difficult to accommo- pests, such as mice and cockroaches); and cata- date visiting researchers due to the lack of space, loging, digitizing, and re-housing archival mate- and the museum’s physical security was found to rials. To date, no funds have been received for be significantly lacking during a Park Service any of these projects. evaluation. Effigy Mounds National Monument does PRESERVING AND INTERPRETING not currently employ a full-time curator, AMERICAN INDIAN HISTORY AND museum technician, or archivist, and while the CULTURE IS A TOP PRIORITY Park Service recognizes the need for a cultural The National Park Service has identified 12 resources management specialist, funding has contemporary American Indian groups as being not been awarded to fill this high-priority posi- culturally affiliated with Effigy Mounds tion. The monument will continue to rely on National Monument: Ho-Chunk Nation of the administrative assistant who manages the Wisconsin; Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska; Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma; Lower Sioux Indian the proper maintenance activities for the Community in the State of Minnesota; Prairie mounds. The monument has requested funds to Island Indian Community in the State of continue this project and to interview represen- Minnesota; Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians, tatives from the other culturally affiliated tribes. Oklahoma; Sac (earlier called Sauk) & Fox Tribe Park staff have plans to submit a request for of the Mississippi in Iowa; Sac & Fox Nation of funds to complete an ethnographic overview Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska; Sac & Fox and assessment. This document would provide Nation, Oklahoma; Shakopee Mdewakanton a review and analysis of the park’s ethnographic Sioux Community of Minnesota; Upper Sioux resources and traditionally associated groups. Community, Minnesota; and Winnebago Tribe Despite the lack of this baseline research, park of Nebraska. staff have incorporated the history and culture 14 Monument staff continue to work to estab- of affiliated peoples into the monument’s inter- lish and maintain good relationships with these pretive program. For example, the park sponsors groups and regularly consult with them on a summer cultural series covering a wide variety management issues. To date, monument staff of American Indian themes, and an American and members of the affiliated groups have Indian Heritage Celebration is held during participated in three repatriation ceremonies, in some years, in which representatives from the which human remains and some associated affiliated groups put on performances, demon- objects were reburied within the national monu- strations, and symposia relating to American ment. In an effort to record the histories of the Indian culture and its relationship to the monu- monument’s associated American Indian ment. The next American Indian Heritage groups, staff completed a series of oral histories Celebration is scheduled for later this year.

Effigy Mounds National Monument of tribal members from the Ho-Chunk, Iowa, Contemporary American Indian culture and and Sac & Fox groups. Park staff also worked issues are also discussed during interpretive with members of the Ho-Chunk on identifying programs and ranger-led hikes.

The monument hosts an American Indian Heritage Celebration some years that includes perform- NATIONAL PARK SERVICE ances, demonstrations, and symposia relating to American Indian culture and connections to the monument. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

15 Effigy Mounds National Monument

NATURAL RESOURCES— native prairie and savanna habitats, and harbors Effigy Mounds WIDE ARRAY OF RESOURCES ON rare plant and animal species and supports a National Monument ranges from high DISPLAY THROUGHOUT THE variety of resident and migrating birds. Park bluffs to low-lying MONUMENT managers have, over the past ten years, used a wetlands (pictured). combination of techniques to protect the As a result, the park The assessment rated the overall condition of remaining important native prairie habitat. supports many differ- natural resources at Effigy Mounds National ent ecosystems and microenvironments. Monument a score of 72 out of 100, which VARIETY OF ECOSYSTEMS SUPPORT ranks park resources in “fair” condition. Natural MANY SPECIES resource concerns at the park include adjacent Effigy Mounds National Monument supports a development and its effect on habitat for high diversity of ecosystems and microenviron- wildlife that travel outside park boundaries, as ments, due largely to the park’s topographical well as the growing problem of invasive non- variety (ranging from high bluffs to low-lying native plant species within park ecosystems. wetlands) and the region’s continental climate, Despite these concerns, the park contains scarce variety of microclimates, and the area’s geologic Effigy Mounds National Monument offers visitors opportunities to learn about the area’s NATIONAL PARK SERVICE human history as well as chances to observe native plants and wildlife. Here, a monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) rests on a butterfly weed (Asclepias 16 tuberosa).

Effigy Mounds National Monument history and location within the Driftless Area. prairies, algific talus slopes, and cold air seep- The monument is located in a transitional zone ages are considered by monument staff to be that covers several vegetation communities. The unique and valuable resources as they create riparian zones, wetlands, and ponds near the microclimates that support rare and relict (a Mississippi River meet the Eastern deciduous species that has survived while other related forest found within the monument’s upland ones have become extinct) plant and animal areas, which eventually give way to the grass- species that would otherwise be outside of their lands and tallgrass prairie of the Western plains. normal range, and add to the high level of The low-lying wetlands and ponds adjacent to biodiversity at the park. For example, the monu- the Yellow River provide critical habitat for ment’s few goat prairies are small, highly diverse migratory waterfowl, amphibians and reptiles, prairie remnants that exist on bluff edges in the and some fishes. South and North Units and in the Heritage As a result of the diversity of its habitats, the Addition. Goat prairies earned their names monument is able to support a large number of because they are often too steep to plow and animal species: 21 mammal, 178 bird, 93 fish, contain dry and gravelly soils that support 12 reptile, and eight amphibian species have plants only a goat can graze. These slopes been documented in the park. Also present are exhibit a very hot, dry, desertlike microclimate 831 plant species or subspecies. where only the most drought-tolerant species A microclimate refers to the weather condi- can flourish, so invasion by woody species is tions of a small area (e.g., a confined space such very slow. as a cave, plant community, or wooded area), The historic suppression of fire within the which tend to differ from the climate of the monument has allowed tree and woody shrub surrounding region. Effigy Mound’s goat species to encroach on the rare prairie and savanna habitats, threatening vegetation diver- INVASIVE NON-NATIVE PLANTS A sity. The park is attempting to manage these GROWING PROBLEM native prairies by clearing them with mechani- Effigy Mounds National Monument managers cal cutting and fire to limit the conversion to consider the entrenchment of invasive non- forest, and by reversing the loss of native grasses native plant species to be a growing concern. and forbs on prairies and savannas by planting National Park Service surveys have identified native species. Prairies are isolated within the 64 non-native plant species; 16 of these are park, which gives them some protection from considered to be invasive (i.e., have the ability invasion by non-native species. Even so, inva- to outcompete and negatively affect native sive non-native plants pose a serious threat to species). Seven of the invasive species have native species in upland and riparian areas (see moderate to high management priority— garlic “Invasive Non-Native Plants a Growing mustard (Alliaria petiloata), common buck- 17 Problem”). thorn (Rhamnus cathartica), Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii), multiflora rose (Rosa multi- PARK HARBORS THREATENED AND flora), sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata), ENDANGERED ANIMAL AND PLANT reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) and SPECIES shrub honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.). Although Effigy Mounds National Monument supports at these species are not yet widespread (they cover least 21 animal and plant species that are listed an estimated 178 canopy acres within the as either threatened or endangered within the monument), all seven have the potential to state of Iowa, and several that are listed as expand and entrench themselves within the Park staff apply species of special concern. Red-shouldered monument’s ecosystems and would be difficult chemical herbicides to control some of

hawk (Buteo lineatus) and bald eagle (Haliaeetus to manage if they became widespread. Garlic Effigy Mounds National Monument the worst invasive leucocephalus) are two of the state-listed endan- mustard is Effigy Mound’s most prolific inva- non-native plants. gered animal species that have been found sive non-native plant species, covering approxi- Funds are needed to within Effigy Mounds. The populations of state- mately 500-600 land acres. Park staff target survey the monument listed rare plant species include leathery grape- high-priority invasive species with chemical for non-native species in order to determine fern (Botrychium multifidum), jeweled shoot- herbicides and by mechanically removing the extent of the ingstar (Dodecatheon amethystinum), creeping them. Effigy Mounds National Monument problem and develop juniper (Juniperus horizontalis), and wild lupine does not receive outside assistance to manage treatment strategies. (Lupinus perennis), among others. The monument also contains the necessary habitat to support two federally listed endangered species—Higgins eye pearlymussel (Lampsilis higginsii) and the Iowa Pleistocene NATIONAL PARK SERVICE snail (Discus macclintocki). Thought to have gone extinct more than 10,000 years ago, the Iowa Pleistocene snail was rediscovered in 1940. This snail prefers uncommon habitat— algific talus slopes along limestone bluffs (loca- tions at the opening of underground ice caves in particular)—and requires a narrow temperature range to survive. Although the snail has never been recorded within Effigy Mounds, it has been found within 20 miles of the monument. the non-native species. The park does not have cerulean warbler (Dendroica cerulea), worm- the funding or staff to treat the 120 canopy eating warbler (Helmitheros vermivorus), and acres infested with reed canary grass at this northern parula (Parula americana). time, as this species requires several herbicide In the late 1990s, the park worked with the sprayings a year, prescribed burn treatment, Raptor Resource Project, a nonprofit organiza- and native species planting to control it, which tion based in Iowa, to reintroduce peregrine is costly. A dense population of reed canary- falcons (Falco peregrinus) back into the area by grass has invaded much of the floodplain in the establishing a reintroduction and monitoring Heritage Addition. site within the monument. Twenty-four breed- Park managers have submitted several ing pairs now nest and reproduce near the Effigy proposals for funding to survey the monu- Mounds. Scientists from the Bell Museum of 18 ment’s non-native plant species in order for Natural History and The Raptor Center at the park staff to understand the level of the problem University of Minnesota monitor the reintro- and to develop appropriate treatment strategies. duction program’s progress. Resident and migrating birds are an impor- MONUMENT IS A HAVEN FOR BIRD- tant resource for the monument. The annual WATCHERS HawkWatch weekend at the monument is the Effigy Mounds is located along the important most popular event each year, drawing visitors Mississippi Flyway, which brings migratory to learn more about birds and their annual birds to the area to feed and rest; some birds migration through talks, guided bird-watching also nest in the park. Effigy Mounds provides hikes, live bird demonstrations, and hands-on habitat for more than 178 known species of activities for children. The park also hosts a bald

Effigy Mounds National Monument resident and migrating birds, including rare eagle appreciation day with similar activities to species and species of special concern such as educate visitors about the hundreds of bald the Acadian warbler (Empidonax virescens), eagles that spend winters in the park.

The monument’s annual HawkWatch weekend draws visitors of all ages who want to get a closer NATIONAL PARK SERVICE look at birds of prey and learn more about hawk migration along the Mississippi River flyway. This year’s events will take place October 3-4, 2009. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

19 Effigy Mounds National Monument

STEWARDSHIP CAPACITY funds were needed to cover mandated salary and National Park Service cost-of-living increases. In 2000, the monument’s Midwest Archeological Center staff and Effigy FUNDING AND STAFFING—MONUMENT acreage was expanded from 1,481 to 2,526 acres, Mounds National NEEDS ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL AND and managers now need additional funds to care Monument staff HUMAN RESOURCES for these additional resources. prepare a test pit in The most significant factor affecting a park’s Effigy Mounds’ museum collection and the parking lot. ability to protect its resources is the funding it archives, along with the mounds themselves, receives from Congress and the administration. are maintained by staff members who lack the In fiscal year 2008, Effigy Mounds National specialized training needed to best care for these Monument had an annual operating budget of sensitive resources. For example, the park’s $987,000 to support staff and fund resource administrative assistant manages the museum protection projects. The monument has seen a collection and archives but has not had formal steady increase in funding over the past decade; training in this discipline. The monument the monument’s annual budget in 1998 was would like to hire a full-time museum techni- approximately $509,000. Some of the additional cian to address this need. In 2001, Effigy Staff from the monument’s resource education and interpretation division teach visitors about NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Effigy Mounds’ cultural and natural resources and provide special workshops for area teachers. To meet core operations objectives, the monument needs an addi- 20 tional 3.73 full-time equivalent positions in this division.

Mounds’ cultural resources manager moved to being filled with, and wildflowers are being

Effigy Mounds National Monument another park and the monument has been outcompeted by, garlic mustard. unable to fill this position (or hire a cultural Recently completed National Park Service resources specialist instead) because of a lack of studies indicated that both the monument’s funds. To address the lack of staffing, Effigy visitor and resource protection program and Mounds receives assistance from staff from the resource education and interpretation division National Park Service’s Midwest Regional Office also require additional staff. Effigy Mounds’ in Omaha, Nebraska, and from the Park visitor and resource protection program currently Service’s Midwest Archeological Center. consists of one part-time senior law enforcement Effigy Mounds National Monument’s natural officer. According to the Park Service, the resources program consists of just one staff program needs an additional 1.25 full-time member—the natural resource manager—and equivalent (FTE) positions to achieve the needs an additional permanent full-time biolo- minimum national safety and security standards. gist, a permanent subject-to-furlough biological This increase would allow the monument to hire technician, and three seasonal biological techni- a full-time senior law enforcement officer and a cians. In summer 2009, the park received funds subject-to-furlough law enforcement ranger. to begin filling some of these natural resource The monument’s resource education and positions. Unfunded natural resource projects interpretation division currently consists of 2.77 include landscape restoration, invasive non- full-time equivalent positions and the Park native plant control, vegetation monitoring, and Service recommends that the division hire an rare species surveys. Invasive non-native plants additional 3.73 FTE positions to meet core oper- have proliferated because the monument does ations objectives. Needed positions include two not have enough staff to control their spread. For full-time interpretive park rangers, one full-time example, the monument’s forest understory is park guide, and additional seasonal rangers. PLANNING—GENERAL MANAGEMENT Staff would also like to perform a baseline PLAN BEING UPDATED; ADDITIONAL survey of mammals in the monument, with a PLANS ARE NEEDED special emphasis on the assessment of threat- Park managers are currently updating the ened, endangered, and previously extirpated monument’s general management plan—a species, if funding can be secured in the future. park’s most important and influential planning An updated fire management plan was document—and are scheduled to have it completed earlier in 2009 and is with the completed in 2009. Once the general manage- regional office awaiting final approval. Once the ment plan is approved and in place, staff can plan is approved it will help direct the use of begin to explore the possibility of writing indi- prescribed burns for landscape restoration, vidual management plans as funding and while providing other fire-related guidance. staffing allows, spanning cultural landscapes, 21 integrated pest management, vegetation, and RESOURCE EDUCATION—LIMITED wildlife. The park is currently drafting a resource NUMBER OF STAFF HINDERS stewardship strategy as well, which is a 15- to RESOURCE INTERPRETATION 20-year program planning document that sets Effigy Mounds National Monument provides as out to determine current resource conditions at much resource education and interpretation as the park, future goals, and strategies for reach- its lean budget and staff level allow. During ing these goals. An update to the long-range 2007, the monument provided a number of interpretive plan is scheduled to be completed interpretive programs—formal education in 2010 as well. programs, historic demonstrations, and special Effigy Mounds National Monument The monument’s Stones, Bones, and KEN BLOCK Sticks program is a hands-on activity for children that features examples of the kinds of tools used by the mound-building cultures that once inhabited the region. Young volunteers remove invasive non- native garlic mustard. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

22 Effigy Mounds National Monument

events—that reached 22,269 people. The park’s months. Effigy Mounds received a grant in 2005 chief ranger and six part-time seasonal rangers to update several interpretive waysides, and it put on the interpretive programs; the park has has secured the funding to replace several other never had a permanent full-time interpretive waysides that were installed along the hiking ranger. The monument considers this level of trails in the North Unit in the 1970s. staffing to be inadequate to fully serve visitors Various themes are interpreted within Effigy and would like to add additional interpreters if Mounds National Monument, including the funds become available. Due to a lack of staff, earthen mounds, the Driftless Area of the formal interpretive programs have been reduced region, Euro-American activity, and archaeolog- to include only special events from late October ical resources within the park. The monument through mid-June; formal on-site educational sponsors an American Indian Heritage programs have also been scaled back so they are Celebration during some years, where represen- only offered in May and from mid-September tatives of the monument’s affiliated tribes put to mid-October. on performances, demonstrations, and The monument’s visitor center is located symposia relating to American Indian culture within the North Unit. It is undersized and and its relationship to the monument. In addi- cannot adequately accommodate the number tion to interpreting the story of the earthen of visitors to the monument during the summer mounds and the people who built them, Effigy Mounds offers natural resource focused events WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP: such as moonlight hikes, a bald eagle appreciation day, and an annual HawkWatch weekend, • Support or become a member of a group helping to protect which are all well attended. the park, such as NPCA (www.npca.org/support_npca).

EXTERNAL SUPPORT—VOLUNTEERS • Donate on behalf of the park. Effigy Mounds National PROVIDE INVALUABLE SERVICES Monument has a donation account with the National Parks Foundation that supports the park’s special events and work- Faced with significant funding and staffing shops. Donations can be made to this account by sending a shortfalls, the monument increasingly relies on check made payable to: “Effigy Mounds Fund REFMA” to: volunteers to bridge the gap between what is The National Park Foundation c/o Effigy Mounds National needed and what the staff can provide. In fiscal Monument, 1201 Eye Street, NW, Suite 550B, Washington, year 2007, 122 volunteers contributed 1,938 23 D.C. 20005. hours of service, helping with interpretive special events, staffing the visitor center, participating in • Participate in park planning efforts. The public is invited to natural resource management projects (e.g., provide input on all park plans and studies. Check invasive non-native plant removal), and assist- www.nps.gov/efmo for information on current planning work. ing with administrative duties. The number of • Volunteer. Many parks are looking for dedicated people who volunteers assisting the monument has steadily can lend a helping hand. To learn about opportunities at Effigy increased due to efforts to recruit interns and Mounds National Monument, contact the park at volunteers for special events and programs. 563.873.3491.

• Become an NPCA activist and learn about legislative initiatives

affecting parks. When you join our activist network, you will Effigy Mounds National Monument receive Park Lines, a monthly electronic newsletter with the Park staff and volunteers partner to care for latest park news and ways you can help. Join by visiting resources and provide visitor services at Effigy www.npca.org/takeaction. Mounds National Monument. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE APPENDIX: METHODOLOGY

24 To determine the condition of known natural and cultural resources at Effigy Mounds National Monument and other national parks, the National Parks Conservation Association developed a resource assessment and ratings NATIONAL PARK SERVICE process. The assessment methodology can be found online at NPCA’s Center for State of the Parks website: www.npca.org/stateoftheparks. Researchers gather available information from a variety of research, monitoring, and background sources in a number of critical categories. The natural resources rating reflects

Effigy Mounds National Monument assessment of more than 120 discrete elements associated with environmental quality, biotic health, and ecosystem integrity. Environmental quality and biotic health measures address air, water, soils, and climatic change conditions as well as their influences and human-related influences on plants and animals. Ecosystems measures address the extent, species composition, and interrelation- ships of organisms with each other and the physical environment. The scores for cultural resources are deter- For this report, researchers collected data mined based on the results of indicator ques- and prepared technical documents that tions that reflect the National Park Service’s summarized the results. The technical docu- own Cultural Resource Management Guideline ments were used to construct this report, and other Park Service resource management which was reviewed by staff at Effigy Mounds policies. National Monument prior to publication. Stewardship capacity refers to the Park NPCA’s Center for State of the Parks repre- Service’s ability to protect park resources, and sents the first time that such assessments have includes discussion of funding and staffing been undertaken for units of the National Park levels, park planning documents, resource System. Comments on the program’s methods education, and external support. are welcome. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

For more information about the NPCA thanks the staff at Effigy Mounds National Center for State of the Parks® Monument who reviewed the factual accuracy of and this and other program reports, contact: information used in this report. We also thank peer reviewers for their valuable comments and National Parks Conservation Association suggestions. Center for State of the Parks® PO Box 737 CENTER FOR STATE OF THE PARKS® Fort Collins, CO 80522 ADVISORY COUNCIL Phone: 970.493.2545 E-mail: [email protected] Ray Bingham Or visit us at www.npca.org/stateoftheparks/ General Atlantic Partners Keith Buckingham National Parks Conservation Association Design Engineer Midwest Regional Office Lynn McClure, Director Dr. Dorothy Canter Email: [email protected] The Johns Hopkins University Phone: 312.263.0111 Dr. Francisco Dallmeier Smithsonian Institution Natural Resources Researcher: Shannon M. Amberg, doctoral candidate, University of Idaho Dr. Sylvia Earle National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Cultural Resources Researcher: Lynette Scriver, master’s candidate, Washington State University Dr. Glenn E. Haas Colorado State University Key Contributor: Melissa Blair, Alaska Field Representative, Dr. Elizabeth A. Hadly National Parks Conservation Association Stanford University Writer: Dan Saxton Bruce Judd Editor: Elizabeth Meyers Architectural Resources Group Copy Editor: Kelly Senser Karl Komatsu Design/Layout: Paul Caputo Komatsu Architecture Center for State of the Parks Staff: Dr. Thomas Lovejoy Dr. James Nations, Vice President H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics, Dr. Gail Dethloff, Director and the Environment Dr. Guy DiDonato, Natural Resources Program Manager Robert Melnick Erin McPherson, Cultural Resources Program Manager University of Oregon Elizabeth Meyers, Publications Manager Kat Byerly, Cultural Resources Coordinator Dr. Kenton Miller Megan Lowery, Natural Resources Coordinator World Resources Institute, World Commission on Daniel Saxton, Publications Coordinator Protected Areas Alec Rhodes Austin, Texas Dr. Roger Sayre United States Geological Survey Dr. William Schlesinger Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies Dr. Douglas Schwartz School for Advanced Research Dr. Lee Talbot George Mason University

Adams National Historical Park (MA) Isle Royale National Park (MI) Andersonville National Historic Site (GA) Joshua Tree National Park (CA) Andrew Johnson National Historic Site (TN) Keweenaw National Historical Park (MI) Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (WI) Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site (ND) Appomattox Court House National Historical Park (VA) Lake Clark National Park and Preserve (AK) Assateague Island National Seashore (MD, VA) Lewis and Clark National Historical Park (OR) Big Bend National Park (TX) Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail (various) Big Hole National Battlefield (MT) Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument (MT) Big Thicket National Preserve (TX) Longfellow National Historic Site (MA) Biscayne National Park (FL) Missouri National Recreational River (NE) Bryce Canyon National Park (UT) Mojave National Preserve (CA) Cabrillo National Monument (CA) Nez Perce National Historical Park (WA, ID, MT, OR) Canyonlands National Park (UT) Olympic National Park (WA) Catoctin Mountain Park (MD) Pea Ridge National Military Park (AR) Channel Islands National Park (CA) Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (MI) Charles Pinckney National Historic Site (SC) Point Reyes National Seashore (CA) Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Redwood National and State Parks (CA) (DC/MD/WV) Rocky Mountain National Park (CO) Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site (NH) (TN/GA) San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (TX) Cumberland Island National Seashore (GA) San Juan Island National Historical Park (WA) Death Valley National Park (CA) Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (CA) Denali National Park and Preserve (AK) Shenandoah National Park (VA) Fort Donelson National Battlefield (TN) Shiloh National Military Park (TN/MS) Fort Laramie National Historic Site (WY) Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (MI) Fort Necessity National Battlefield (PA) Stones River National Battlefield (TN) Fort Pulaski National Monument (GA) Vicksburg National Military Park (MS) Fort Sumter National Monument (SC) Virgin Islands National Park Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site (ND) Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument Frederick Douglass National Historic Site (DC) Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Gateway National Recreation Area (NY) (MT-Alberta) Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve (AK) Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield (MO) Great Basin National Park (NV) Zion National Park (UT) Great Smoky Mountains National Park (TN/NC) Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (WV) Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park Please visit www.npca.org/stateoftheparks/ to view Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site (PA) these reports and to learn more about the Center for Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (IN) State of the Parks®.

1300 19th Street, N.W., Suite 300 Washington, DC 20036 p/ 202.223.6722 f/ 202.659.0650 www.npca.org

PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER