Golden Anniversaries

Black and white image of cave entrance
Mona and Monito Islands NNL, located in Puerto Rico, was designated on May 15, 1975. Pictured is a photograph from the original evaluation of a cave entrance at Cueva del Diamente, near Sardinera Beach on Mona Island.

NPS photo

The NNL program was established in 1962 with the first site designations occuring in 1964. Since that time, individual NNL sites have reached their Golden Anniversary, or 50 years, of landmark designation. The milestone is remarkable in that it recognizes 50 years of voluntary conservation, committment, and partnership with landowners and managers of these NNL sites.

In 2025 we recognize and celebrate the Golden Anniversary of 29 NNL sites. These NNLs were officially designated when then Secretary of the Interior, Stanley K. Hathaway, signed the designation memos on May 15, 1975.

Sites Designated May 15, 1975

State Landmark Secretary Approval Date
California Deep Springs Marsh 5/15/1975
California Fish Slough 5/15/1975
California Mitchell Caverns And Winding Stair Cave 5/15/1975
Colorado Russell Lakes 5/15/1975
Idaho Hagerman Fauna Sites 5/15/1975
Iowa Anderson Goose Lake 5/15/1975
Iowa Dewey's Pasture And Smith's Slough 5/15/1975
Kentucky Rock Creek Research Natural Area 5/15/1975
Maine Bigelow Mountain 5/15/1975
Maine New Gloucester Black Gum Stand 5/15/1975
Minnesota Cedar Creek Natural History Area-Allison Savanna 5/15/1975
Minnesota Upper Red Lake Peatland 5/15/1975
Missouri Golden Prairie 5/15/1975
Missouri Pickle Springs 5/15/1975
Missouri Taberville Prairie 5/15/1975
Missouri Tucker Prairie 5/15/1975
Missouri Wegener Woods 5/15/1975
New Mexico Kilbourne Hole 5/15/1975
New Mexico Ship Rock 5/15/1975
New Mexico Valles Caldera 5/15/1975
North Dakota Rush Lake 5/15/1975
North Dakota Sibley Lake 5/15/1975
Puerto Rico Mona and Monito Islands 5/15/1975
South Dakota Cottonwood Slough-Dry Run 5/15/1975
South Dakota Lake Thompson 5/15/1975
South Dakota Red Lake 5/15/1975
Texas Greenwood Canyon 5/15/1975
Utah Little Rockies 5/15/1975
Wisconsin Kickapoo River Natural Area 5/15/1975
 

Past Golden Anniversaries

Last updated: January 13, 2025

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