Effigy Mounds addition
to be dedicated

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This article was written and posted on INHF's website in May 2003.

The 1,045-acre Heritage Addition to Effigy Mounds National Monument (EFMO) will be formally dedicated in a special ceremony on Saturday, June 9. The site will also be open for a limited number of guided public hikes throughout the weekend.

Various agencies, organizations and individuals have sought this key addition almost since the National Monument was created in 1949. The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF), a non-profit conservation organization, officially transferred the property to the National Park Service (NPS) on December 15, 2000. INHF had purchased the land from private sellers with help from a U.S. Congressional appropriation, two state grants and more than 1,300 private donations.

In addition to expanding EFMO by 70 percent, the Heritage Addition connects EFMO to a unit of the Yellow River State Forest, putting more than 4,000 contiguous acres under public protection. The addition also contains several streams, 2.5 miles of the Yellow River, several state-endangered or threatened species and 13 archeological sites, including two bear effigies.

The dedication ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on June 9. Program speakers include representatives from NPS and INHF and a private donor. The program will be preceded by Native American flute music. The dedication is being held in conjunction with EFMO's American Indian Heritage Celebration, a two-day event to celebrate American Indian culture.

INHF and EFMO are sponsoring guided hikes of the new Heritage Addition on June 9 at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. that focus on the area's natural and historic features. A special bird-watching hike will be held at 7 a.m. During each of the three time slots, participants may choose either the three-hour Yellow River Hike or the two-hour Upland Hike. The longer hike includes more time along the river and some steep climbs, but both hikes feature archeological sites and scenic vistas. Because space is very limited, Saturday hikers must preregister with INHF by June 6 by calling 515-288-1846 or e-mailing info@inhf.org.

Parking at EFMO will be very limited on Saturday, so non-handicapped participants should park in Marquette's municipal lot under the bridge to Prairie du Chien. INHF is providing buses and the Isle of Capri Casino has donated a van that will shuttle hikers and other visitors between Marquette and EFMO between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.

In addition to the dedication ceremony and guided hikes, visitors are invited to see special Native American events, artisans and demonstrations at EFMO throughout the weekend. The park's many interpretive trails, informative visitor's center and gift shop will be open as usual.

Visit the event's informational page for details or to sign up for one of the scheduled hikes.


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

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