Abstract:
As a national monument, much of the focus at this park is on cultural heritage rather than natural
resources. However, this park is home to 5,000 acres of near pristine wetland as well several
hundred more acres of upland and aquatic habitat. Using the methodology laid out by the
National Parks Conservation Association Center for the State of the Parks, a qualitative
assessment of the natural resources at this park was performed. This was accomplished by
performing an extensive literature review at the park, with state and federal data providers, and
with National Park Service Regional Inventory and Monitoring offices. Interviews with park
staff and, to a limited extent, on-site inspections occurred. These data were used to assign scores
of 0-3 (0 being irreparably damaged, 3 being pristine) to various natural resource categories.
The sum of these categories was then used as an overall indicator of park health. The park was
found to be in vulnerable condition overall.
