Connecting Communities to Cultural Landscapes: A Pathway to Success

Woodlands and grasslands will be restored at Seip Earthworks through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. NPS Photo / Tom Engberg

Hopewell Culture National Historical Park will implement two projects this year with $150,000 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This project is part of a nationwide effort to restore natural habitats and address climate change impacts. In fiscal year 2023, President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act will provide $52 million to the National Park Service to fund projects throughout the country related to ecosystem resilience, restoration, and environmental planning needs.

The woodlands of Seip Earthworks will have work crews this summer removing invasive bush honeysuckle. NPS Photo / Anna Gottke

Restore Woodlands to Improve Visitor Experience

The first project will restore 33 acres of forest at Mound City Group and Seip Earthworks. Focusing on the removal of invasive honeysuckle along Hopewell earthworks, restoration will improve the forest understory and open views along the Scioto River. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience natural forests on a landscape that is predominantly used for agriculture. This project will be completed in collaboration with the Conservation Corps of Iowa, which employs youths and young adults for habitat restoration projects.

How will this impact my visit to Seip Earthworks?

Removal of invasive honeysuckle and other shrub species will improve the forest understory by allowing native tree and wildflower species to thrive and providing habitat for wildlife species. The visitor experience will be enhanced immediately adjacent to the earthworks, while opening views of and access to the Scioto River and Paint Creek. These riparian woodlands along with the forested hill slopes in the region provide important opportunities for visitors to experience forests in an otherwise predominantly agricultural landscape.

Visitors to Seip Earthworks can expect to see work crews along the forested edge of the Paint Creek removing bush honeysuckle. Work crews will not be blocking trails, however, visitors should watch for tripping hazards and use caution around crews that are using chain saws. Work areas will be marked.

Interpretive trail through part of the grassland to be restored at Seip Earthworks. NPS Photo / Anna Gottke

Connect Local Community with Cultural Landscapes

The second project will restore 80 acres of grasslands at Seip Earthworks. This project will plant a mix of warm season grasses and forbs on non-forested lands. These grasses will provide diverse habitat for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. Visitors will be able to walk along scenic nature trails, view the earthworks, and enjoy wildlife. Restoring grasslands protects important cultural resources from erosion.

How will this impact my visit to Seip Earthworks?

Restoring grasslands increases suitable habitat for birds, pollinators and other wildlife. In addition, restoring grasslands protects important archeological resources from erosion and looting. Temporary disturbance of wildlife by pesticide application and planting of soybeans will end in a diverse habitat that will remain for years to come. This project will add to the 300 acres of restored grasslands in the park and improve ecological processes that benefit the health of both natural and human communities in Appalachia.

Beginning April, 2024 and continuing through 2027, visitors can expect the grass path trails to re-routed around the project areas. Follow marked paths and refrain from walking through the agricultural land. There will be two phases of row crops before the native grasslands can be re-established. Acces to Paint Creek is still available via a new path system routing around the project area.

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