Big Bone Lick

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There were two blog postings about field trips to Big Bone Lick State Park. 

The first was Discovery School Days:  “We enjoyed a day with the park naturalist.  He led us in a fun lecture about the ice age that covered this part of KY.  The kids all took part in role playing saber-tooth tigers, sloths, mammoths, even ice moving across land…an excellent use of creative dramatics! “At lunch, Mrs. Rachel lit a fire and everyone roasted marshmallows.  Then we spent the afternoon learning survival skills that may have been used by American Indians in this area.  We learned flint napping, jewelry making, even how to start a fire using a bow and hearth… not by rubbing two sticks together!  It was a great day!!”

The second report was by Hoppy Hollow Farm: “We learned about the Ice Age and learned survival skills, including how to start a fire.  The naturalist was exceptional and we got all this for $3 a student. It was an incredible deal!!

Here are some original photographs after a massive snowstorm at Big Bone Lick State Park in March 2008.

The park was covered with about a foot of snow, which is a lot for Northern Kentucky.

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Big Bone Lick State Park — the most famous, fossil-rich area in the Cincinnati region — gave the world the first evidence of several extinct species, including the American Mastodon.  Stanley Hedeen, author of a new book on the subject, Big Bone Lick: The Cradle of American Paleontology (2008), brings the history and paleontology of Big Bone Lick to life through discussion and images shown in these videos.

Dr. Hedeen is emeritus professor of biology and former dean of Arts and Sciences at Xavier University, is a member of the Ohio Biological Survey Steering Committee, the Hamilton County Environmental Action Commission, the Cincinnati Museum Center Natural History Advisory Board, the Mill Creek Restoration Project Board of Trustees, the list goes on and on.  Hedeen received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Quality Award for his "professional and community activities which serve to improve the quality of the environment."  Hedeen earned a B.A. in Biology from Augustana College in Illinois and a Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Minnesota.

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Following is the press information about a new book by Stanley Hedeen, Big Bone Lick: The Cradle of American Paleontology.

On March 7, 1808, President Thomas Jefferson received a long-awaited shipment of approximately 300 fossils from William Clark, who had just completed his westward expedition with Meriwether Lewis. The fossils were unearthed at Big Bone Lick in northern Kentucky, and over the years they had gained the interest of such prominent figures as Daniel Boone, George Washington, and Benjamin Franklin. Jefferson’s receipt of the fossils was the realization of more than twenty years of the philosopher-statesman’s interest in the site and its natural treasures.

Big Bone Lick: The Cradle of American Paleontology recounts the rich history of the fossil site that gave the world the first evidence of the extinction of several mammalian species, including the American mastodon. Big Bone Lick has played many roles: nutrient source, hallowed ground, salt mine, health spa, and a trove of archaeological riches and paleontological wonders. Natural historian Stanley Hedeen presents a comprehensive and accessible narrative of Big Bone Lick from its geological formation forward, explaining why the site attracted first animals, then Native peoples of the region, European explorers and scientists, and eventually American pioneers and presidents.

Big Bone Lick is a history of both a place and a scientific discipline: it explores the infancy and adolescence of paleontology from its humble and sometimes humorous beginnings. Hedeen combines elements of history, geology, politics, and biology to make Big Bone Lick an entertaining story as well as a valuable historical resource.

Big Bone Lick is a 512-acre state park in Boone County, Kentucky.  The park has many fun and educational activities for families and nature lovers:

	Buffalo Herd.  The American buffalo, or bison, is the largest of all North American land mammals.  Hunted to near extinction, the last wild buffalo was seen in Kentucky around 1800.  The park’s herd is an effort to re-establish these magnificent animals at Big Bone Lick.
	Camping.  Spacious campground features 62 campsites with utility hookups, grills, swimming pool and playground.  Showers, rest rooms and laundry
	Discovery Trail.  Recreated grasslands, wetlands and wooded savannas lie along the trail leading to a "bog" diorama.  Shown going into or struggling inside the marsh bog are a woolly mammoth, a mastodon, a giant sloth, bison, various skeletal remains, and scavengers feeding on the carcasses.  Open year-round.
	Fishing.  A 7.5-acre lake contains largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish for bank fishing.  A Kentucky fishing license is required.  Open year-round.
	Gift Shop. The gift shop at Big Bone Lick is as unique as the park.  You’ll find caps, T-shirts, fossils, books and more.  Hours vary by season.
	Hiking.  There are 3.5 miles of hiking trails around the lake and Outdoor Museum area
	Indoor Museum. Learn the history of Big Bone Lick in our brand new museum with displays of fossilized bones and artifacts from the last 18,000
	Mini-Golf.  An 18-hole miniature golf course, with a commanding view of the surrounding countryside, is near the entrance to the campground.  Open to all visitors, April through October.
	Outdoor Museum.  The mile-long outdoor museum continues on the paved Big Bone Creek Trail wanders through the original swampland, now growing wild with brush and flowers, and the last remaining salt-sulphur spring.  Open year-round.
	Picnicking & Playground.  Nearly 40 acres of picnic grounds with tables, grills and a playground are ideal for family outings.  The two picnic shelters have tables, grills, water and electric, and may be reserved for rental up to one year in advance.  Available year-round.
	Sports.  Tennis, volleyball and basketball courts, softball fields, and horseshoe pits are available for the enjoyment of park visitors.  Available year-round, weather permitting.
	Swimming.  An outdoor swimming pool is available at the campground for campground guests only.  Summer only.

Check out the Big Bone Lick State Park website

This neat photo by D.G. Flickr shows the sun beaming over the large hill at Big Bone Lick State Park.  Here is what he wrote:  “Wanted to go a grab any shots I could from Big Bone Lick area before all of the snow melted, but the snow had melted.  Oh well, I saw this hill on the way to the park, and loved the shadows on the hill with the trees, but when I drove back the shadows were not as good as they were before, oh well, I still love the row of trees.”