Heritage Addition officially added to
Effigy Mounds
National Monument

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This article was written and posted on INHF's website in December 2000.

The 1,045-acre Heritage Addition officially became part of Effigy Mounds National Monument (EFMO) Friday, Dec. 15, well ahead of project organizers' most optimistic predictions.

"These are the kinds of surprises we like to have," said Mark Ackelson, president of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF). "We finalized the purchase from Charles and Dorothy Kistler of Arizona only a few hours before transferring the deed to Effigy Mounds National Monument.

Everyone told us it would take a year to move from federal funding approval to actual deed transfer, but it's only taken a couple months. We are especially grateful for the hard work of the National Park Service in helping the process move quickly."

Ackelson officially transferred the deed to the National Park Service at a Friday ceremony at Effigy Mounds Visitors Center. INHF, a member-supported, nonprofit organization, spearheaded the landowner negotiations, fundraising and other logistics to make the Heritage Addition a reality.

The 1,045-acre addition expands the existing EFMO by 60 percent. More significantly, it connects EFMO and a unit of the Yellow River State Forest, putting more than 4,000 contiguous acres under public protection.

The Heritage Addition contains several streams and 2.5 miles of the Yellow River, which many claim is one of Iowa's best rivers for canoeing and small mouth bass fishing. Together, the Yellow River State Forest Unit, Heritage Addition and Effigy Mounds National Monument protect 7.8 miles of this river, along with critical migratory bird habitat along the Upper Mississippi River flyway.

Several state-endangered species have been found on the addition, including the jeweled shooting star, red-shouldered hawk and pileated woodpecker. Thirteen archaeological sites have been located scattered throughout the property. These include two bear effigies, linear mounds and habitation sites.

The National Park Service and EFMO are still working out details on how the property will be managed for its natural and cultural resources and the public. Like the rest of EFMO, the Heritage Addition will not be open to hunting or any type of vehicles.

EFMO is planning to host a public hike and dedication sometime this summer. "Effigy Mounds National Monument is honored to be entrusted with the care of these wonderful natural and cultural resources that convey our past history so well," said Phyllis Ewing, EFMO superintendent.

Various agencies, organizations and individuals have sought this key addition almost since the National Monument was created in 1949 as a gift from the state of Iowa to the National Park Service. INHF has been working to develop a mutually acceptable arrangement with local landowners and other partners almost since the group's founding in 1979.

The entire project, including land acquisition and related fees, interest, initial management costs and other expenses was more than $1.5 million. Funds came from a variety of federal, state and private sources.

Iowa's Congressional delegation, including Rep. Jim Nussle, Sen. Charles Grassley and Sen. Tom Harkin, worked together to secure federal funding of $750,000 toward the project.

The Iowa Department of Transportation granted $330,000 from its Statewide Transportation Enhancement Funds. The addition is located along the Great River Road, adding to this scenic highway's natural beauty.

The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs granted $200,000 from its Historic Site Preservation Grant Program. "The historic site grant program was created by the Legislature and Governor for the 'restoration, preservation, and development of historical sites.' The purchase of this tract fits perfectly with the program's goals. Our Department is thrilled to have been a part of this important effort," said Kathy Gourley, field historian for the department.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources provided a no-interest loan for a portion of the costs from the Blufflands Revolving Loan Fund, which was created by the Iowa legislature to help secure important bluffland areas.

More than 1,000 individual donors, mostly Iowans from the area and throughout the state, gave another $265,000 toward the Heritage Addition.

David Bolger, a New Jersey businessman who was visiting the area when federal funds were in doubt, offered to carry the interest on the federal funds for up to a year. Though federal funding arrived sooner than expected, Bolger is still covering interest costs until all pledge and grant payments are in.

"This project literally took a half century, a willing landowner, an act of Congress, support from state agencies, a team of dedicated professionals and volunteers from INHF and hundreds of individual Iowans-a partnership in the truest sense," said Ackelson. "But the Heritage Addition's wildlife, cultural and scenic values make it more than worth the effort."

For more information about Foundation news, e-mail Cathy Engstrom, Director of Communications, or call (515) 288-1846.

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