Explore America's Natural Heritage

National Natural Landmark (NNL) sites are designated in recognition of a great variety of biological communities, geological landforms or processes, or paleontological resources. The outstanding resources at these sites tell the geological and ecological story of America. To offer ways to connect sites across the landscape and promote understanding and appreciation of America's natural heritage, these features have been grouped into 14 broad Natural History categories.

Many of these features are familiar: lakes, mountains, deserts. But some of the NNLs around the United States highlight lesser-known environments, such as tundra, bogs (peat-filled wetlands), eolian (sandy dunes), and even volcanoes! Explore the natural history categories below to learn about these amazing resources and see which NNLs share these resources in common.

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About the Artwork

As part of the 60th anniversary of the National Natural Landmarks Program in 2022, commemorative artwork was created to draw attention to highlight the beauty and diversity of each of these natural features. This collection, Illustrating America's Natural Heritage by graphic artist Dennis Caldwell, inspires us to explore America's diverse natural heritage through our National Natural Landmarks.

Download Artwork Here!

Full resolution downloads of artwork pieces are available on the photo gallery page. 

Permission for use of NNL logo and artwork

Limited Permission for Non-Commercial Use of the National Natural Landmarks Program Logo, and Illustrating America's National Heritage Artwork by Site Owners/Managers/Official Partners

The black and white logo (and any NPS-produced color-modified versions) is the official logo (Logo) for the National Natural Landmarks (NNL) Program. Additionally, the NNL Program commissioned Graphic Artist Dennis Caldwell to create unique pieces that artistically represent the diverse biological and geological features represented at NNL sites into a series known as the Illustrating America's Natural Heritage Artwork (Artwork). While the copyright to the original artistic work is now in the public domain, the NNL logo, an NPS trademark, is incorporated into the Artwork.

The National Parks Service (NPS), through the NNL Program, grants permission for NNL site Owners, Managers, and Official Partners to use the Logo and Artwork for educational or promotional uses that align with the program mission as follows:

• Increasing awareness and understanding of NNL sites, designation, and the program,
• Publicizing conservation efforts and involvement in the program,
• Enhancing educational and scientific value and appreciation of natural history, or
• Fostering recognition and support for conservation

For the purposes of these permissions, Official Partners is defined as those with a recognized relationship with the NNL Program or with an NNL site and working directly with site Owners and Managers. Neither the stand-alone Logo nor the Logo and associated text as incorporated into the Artwork may be modified or altered in any manner. Use of the stand-alone Logo must always be in conjunction with the program name or the official name of the designated NNL site. This permission is non-exclusive and limited to non-commercial uses. Any use of the Logo or Artwork shall not imply a false association with or endorsement by the NPS or associate the NPS or NNL Program with a vice activity. Use of the Logo or Artwork shall immediately cease upon request of the NPS. For high resolution versions of the Logo or Artwork, NNL Owners, Managers, or Official Partners should contact their appropriate regional coordinator.

Limited Permission for Commercial Use of the Illustrating America's Natural Heritage Artwork by Site Owners/Managers/Official Partners

The NPS, through the NNL Program, grants permission for NNL site Owners, Managers, and Official Partners to use the Artwork (that contains the Logo) for commercial purposes, such as incorporation into a clothing item or coffee mug, consistent with the terms and program mission as described here, and in the section above. This permission is non-exclusive.

For purposes of these permissions, Official Partners is defined as those with a recognized relationship with the NNL Program or with an NNL site and working directly with site Owners and Managers. In cases where an Official Partner proposes a use that is affiliated with a particular NNL site, it must include approval/concurrence from the relevant site Owner or Manager. The NNL Program retains discretion to approve commercial use requests from any other person or entity on a case-by-case basis.

Where the Artwork is used for commercial purposes, it is encouraged, when possible and appropriate, to use American-made or designed products, handicrafts, specialty, regional, and local products, American Indian art and crafts, and environmentally sustainable merchandise. The maintenance of the high quality of the services, materials, products, and merchandise produced, sold, or otherwise prepared for public dissemination of the Artwork are necessary to maintain the distinctiveness of the NNL Logo, the image of the NPS brand, and the image and high quality of the services, materials, products, and merchandise bearing the Logo.

Any commercial use of the Artwork shall not imply a false association with or endorsement by the NPS or associate the NPS or NNL Program with a vice activity. The NNL Logo and associated text may not be modified or altered in any manner from how it originally appears on the Artwork. Use of the Artwork containing the Logo shall immediately cease upon request from the NPS. For high resolution versions of the Artwork, NNL Owners, Managers, or Official Partners should contact the appropriate regional coordinator.