National Natural Landmarks Program

About the National Natural Landmarks Program

The National Natural Landmarks (NNL) Program recognizes and encourages the conservation of places that showcase the best examples of the United States’ natural history.

Established in 1962, the program highlights sites with outstanding biological and geological features. These landmarks tell the story of our natural heritage and help deepen appreciation for the landscapes that define our nation.

Program at a Glance

The National Natural Landmarks Program is: 

• Managed by the National Park Service 

• Voluntary for landowners 

• Active within the United States and its Territories

• Over 60 years old and still growing 

• A way to connect local communities about shared conservation values 

• A tool that supports collaborative conservation and land stewardship 

• A platform for increasing public awareness, education, and appreciation 

• Part of the NPS’s broader community assistance programs 

Program Goals

The NNL Program works to:

• Preserve outstanding examples of the nation’s ecological and geological heritage

• Support the scientific and education value of these special places

• Encourage public appreciation for natural history

• Promote conservation and collaborative stewardship across the landscape.

Square Butte

NPS / M. Reed

Governance and Regulations

The NNL Program was authorized under the Historic Sites Act of 1935 and formally launched in 1962. The first landmark designations followed in 1964. The program is governed by federal regulations found at 36 CFR Part 62, which guide how the National Park Service administers the program. These regulations do not affect land use or management decisions by landowners. View the full federal regulations.

Contact Us

Do you have more questions about the National Natural Landmarks Program?

Contact NNL Program Staff