Ashfall earns National Natural Landmark designation

Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park in Antelope County, Neb., has been designated as a National Natural Landmark, the first such designation in more than 18 years, the U.S. Department of Interior announced this week.

"I am pleased to designate the Ashfall Fossil Beds as a National Natural Landmark," acting U.S. Interior Secretary Lynn Scarlett said in making the announcement May 9. "This designation recognizes a one-of-a-kind paleontological treasure and initiates a reinvigorated National Natural Landmarks Program."

Ashfall Fossil Beds near Royal is the only location on earth where large numbers of fossil mammals have been found as whole, three-dimensionally preserved skeletons. A thick bed of volcanic ash contains hundreds of complete skeletons of extinct rhinos, camels, three-toed horses and many other vertebrates lying in their death poses in an ancient waterhole. The animals were killed and buried by ash from an enormous volcanic eruption nearly 12 million years ago.

This site was dedicated a Nebraska State Historical Park in 1991. A subdivision of the University of Nebraska State Museum at UNL, Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park is a cooperative project of the NU State Museum and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

"The natural wonders preserved at Ashfall Fossil Beds through an ancient volcanic eruption are as significant as the cultural wonders preserved at Pompeii," said NPS Director Fran Mainella. "Designating this remarkable site a National Natural Landmark recognizes this significance, which will strengthen conservation efforts and educate the public about Ashfall's natural wonders."

Since 1962, the National Natural Landmarks Program has supported the cooperative conservation of 579 important natural areas throughout the nation, involving private, state, municipal and federal landowners. The program includes ranches, agricultural areas, state parks, nature preserves and commercial properties. Participation in the program is completely voluntary, and National Natural Landmark designation does not entail control of land use or acquisition by the National Park Service.

For a complete list of National Natural Landmarks and additional information about the program, visit www.nature.nps.gov/nnl.

To visit Ashfall online, go to www.ashfall.unl.edu. Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. now through Memorial Day weekend. Starting Memorial Day through Labor Day, it is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.

CONTACT: Priscilla Grew, Director, NU State Museum, (402) 472-3779; or
Rick Otto, Superintendent, Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park, (402) 893-2000 (rotto1@unl.edu)