National Natural Landmark Dedication at Big Bone Lick
The National Park Service honored Big Bone Lick State Park for its designation as a National Natural Landmark in a ceremony today at the park in Boone County, Kentucky.
The National Natural Landmarks (NNL) Program began in 1962 to recognize and preserve important natural history sites. It is the only national program that recognizes the best examples of biological and geological features in both public and private lands. Big Bone Lick State Park joins an elite group of only 586 sites across the United States that have received NNL status.
According to the National Park Service: “Big Bone Lick in Boone County, Kentucky is unique for its combination of salt springs and associated Late Pleistocene bone beds. The site has been referred to as the birthplace of vertebrate paleontology in North America. The Big Bone fossils played a very important role in the development of scientific thought regarding the idea of extinction and the relationship of geology and paleontology.”
There was a good turnout for the NNL Dedication Ceremony, which was hosted by the Friends of Big Bone, a non-profit organization committed to research and education related to Big Bone Lick.
Park naturalist Todd Young (right) did a fine job hosting the ceremony.
Bruce Ferguson, former Boone County Judge Executive, humorously reminisced about how the park started with fewer than 18 acres and has grown to over 500 acres, becoming quite successful in spite of not having a “large lake and a lodge.”
Dr. John Rockaway and Jeannine Kreinbrink, NNL application authors
The 3rd grade class at New Haven Elementary School in Union was closely involved with the project to secure NNL status for Big Bone. Due to the class’ letter-writing effort, Big Bone received more public recommendations than the other three selected sites combined. The class even raised money toward their own lunch and to help pay for the NNL plaque (see below).
Charles Kenner, Boone County Commissioner
Gerry van der Meer, Kentucky State Parks Commissioner
National Park Service representatives Margi Brooks, NNL Program Manager, and Heather Germaine, NNL Coordinator, awarded the NNL plaque to Big Bone Lick.
The “National Natural Landmark” plaque that the National Park Service presented to Big Bone Lick State Park
The celebration cake was almost too pretty to eat! But we managed…
Snacks and refreshments were available after the ceremony. Fortunately the rain held off. The ceremony and celebration were well-done and enjoyed by all.
Congratulations, Big Bone Lick State Park!
Big Bone Lick NNL Designation Page
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