Hudson-Meng Education and Research Center Wood Ornament by Nestled Pines Woodworking
$9.99
Out of stock
Shipping calculated in cart/checkout:Â Shipping rates for first items start at $7, calculated based on weight of total order.
Laser-cut wood ornament depicting the Hudson-Meng bison kill site: a bison antiquus skull cut from sustainably harvested North American hardwood, solar kiln-dried, and made in Monticello, Wisconsin.
- 3 3/4″ x 3″, 0.2 oz, arrives strung and ready to hang
- Sustainably harvested North American hardwood; solar kiln-dried
- Designed by Nestled Pines Woodworking for BHPFA
- Proceeds support Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands and other BHPFA partner sites
- Part of a series covering all BHPFA partner parks and forests
Out of stock
Hudson-Meng Education and Research Center Wood Ornament by Nestled Pines Woodworking
$9.99
Out of stock
Shipping calculated in cart/checkout:Â Shipping rates for first items start at $7, calculated based on weight of total order.
Laser-cut wood ornament depicting the Hudson-Meng bison kill site: a bison antiquus skull cut from sustainably harvested North American hardwood, solar kiln-dried, and made in Monticello, Wisconsin.
- 3 3/4″ x 3″, 0.2 oz, arrives strung and ready to hang
- Sustainably harvested North American hardwood; solar kiln-dried
- Designed by Nestled Pines Woodworking for BHPFA
- Proceeds support Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands and other BHPFA partner sites
- Part of a series covering all BHPFA partner parks and forests
Out of stock
Real USPS rates, no markup. The money we save funds trail crews and internships.
Join BHPFA for $30 a year -> get your code by email in seconds. -> Use it at checkout today. Show your card at hundreds of nonprofit park stores nationwide for 10% off.
Every item is selected or approved by rangers and staff. Your purchase keeps them on the front lines.
Real USPS rates, no markup. The money we save funds trail crews and internships.
Join BHPFA for $30 a year -> get your code by email in seconds. -> Use it at checkout today. Show your card at hundreds of nonprofit park stores nationwide for 10% off.
Every item is selected or approved by rangers and staff. Your purchase keeps them on the front lines.
Description
What is this ornament?
This laser-cut wood ornament represents the Hudson-Meng Education and Research Center, an archaeological site on the Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands managed in partnership with the University of Nebraska. The design centers on the bison antiquus skull, the defining image of the site, where a bonebed of ancient bison was uncovered and dated to approximately 10,000 years ago.
Hudson-Meng is one of the largest known bison kill sites in North America. Researchers believe hundreds of bison perished here, though the exact cause is still debated among archaeologists. The University of Nebraska has partnered with the US Forest Service to study and interpret the site, and it remains an active research location open to visitors during the summer season.
Nestled Pines Woodworking in Monticello, Wisconsin, created this ornament specifically for BHPFA, using the same process as the other ornaments in the series: sustainably harvested North American hardwood, solar kiln-dried, and laser-cut to shape.
What’s included
The ornament arrives strung with a ribbon and ready to hang. It is cut from sustainably harvested North American hardwood, dried using solar energy, and laser-cut in Monticello, Wisconsin. There is no paint or dye. The detail and coloring come from the wood grain and the laser engraving.
Specifications
- Material: Sustainably harvested North American hardwood
- Process: Laser-cut; solar kiln-dried
- Dimensions: 3 3/4″ wide x 3″ tall (thickness approximately 3/16″)
- Weight: 0.2 oz
- Finish: Natural wood; no paint or dye
- Made in the USA (Monticello, Wisconsin)
- Arrives strung with ribbon for immediate display
Who is this for?
If you have visited the Hudson-Meng site or have a connection to Nebraska’s public lands, this is a specific and inexpensive way to keep that connection on a shelf or a tree. The bison antiquus skull is not a generic design. It is the symbol the site itself uses, tied to the actual species whose bones are in the ground there.
It also works as a gift for someone interested in archaeology, paleontology, or Great Plains natural history. At $9.99 and 0.2 oz, it ships easily and does not require explaining why you gave someone a buffalo skull ornament. The story does that work.
Collectors working through the BHPFA series will find matching ornaments for Wind Cave, Jewel Cave, the Black Hills National Forest, and the Nebraska National Forests. All are the same format and work well together on a tree or in a display.
Frequently asked questions
What is shown on the ornament?
The design features a bison antiquus skull, the signature image of the Hudson-Meng site. Bison antiquus was a species of ancient bison that lived in North America until roughly 10,000 years ago and is the species whose remains are preserved at Hudson-Meng.
What is Hudson-Meng?
Hudson-Meng Education and Research Center is an archaeological site on the Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands (USFS), managed in partnership with the University of Nebraska. It is the location of the Hudson-Meng Bison Kill, a bonebed dated to approximately 10,000 years ago that contains the remains of hundreds of bison antiquus. It is open to visitors seasonally and remains an active research site.
What kind of wood is used?
Nestled Pines uses sustainably harvested North American hardwoods. The specific wood type may vary by production run. Common options include black cherry, maple, and black walnut.
Is it painted?
No. The design is laser-cut and laser-engraved into natural wood. There is no paint, stain, or dye. Any color variation comes from the wood itself and the engraving process.
Does buying this support Hudson-Meng?
Yes. BHPFA is the official nonprofit partner of the Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands, which manages the Hudson-Meng site. Proceeds from every purchase fund education programs, conservation projects, and visitor services at Hudson-Meng and the other five BHPFA partner sites.
Does Hudson-Meng have a Passport to Your National Parks stamp?
No. Hudson-Meng is a US Forest Service site, and the Passport to Your National Parks program is NPS only. USFS sites do not participate. If you are collecting Passport stamps at BHPFA partner sites, the four NPS locations are Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Scotts Bluff National Monument, and Agate Fossil Beds National Monument.
Can I put it on a Christmas tree?
Yes. It arrives strung and ready to hang. At 0.2 oz, it is light enough for most standard branch sizes.
Is it available for the other BHPFA partner parks?
Yes. Nestled Pines made matching ornaments for Wind Cave National Park (SKU 1928), Jewel Cave National Monument (SKU 2141), the Black Hills National Forest (SKU 3010), and the Nebraska National Forests (SKU 3011).
About the collection
Nestled Pines Woodworking in Monticello, Wisconsin, makes custom laser-cut ornaments, magnets, and keychains for national parks, state parks, zoos, and nonprofit organizations. Designer Amie Van Susteren creates each design from scratch for the specific site or organization.
BHPFA has a full ornament series covering its partner sites: Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, the Black Hills National Forest, Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands, and Hudson-Meng Education and Research Center. This is the Hudson-Meng ornament in that series.
Product family
Other ornaments in the Nestled Pines BHPFA series:
- Wind Cave National Park Wood Ornament (SKU 1928)
- Jewel Cave National Monument Wood Ornament (SKU 2141)
- Ornament – Black Hills National Forest (SKU 3010)
- Ornament – Nebraska National Forest (SKU 3011)
Every Purchase Makes a Difference
When you shop with Black Hills Parks & Forests Association, you are directly funding:
- Education programs — nature workshops, Junior Ranger activities, and homeschool adventures for kids across the Black Hills
- Trail maintenance — keeping hiking trails safe and accessible at Wind Cave, Jewel Cave, and the Black Hills National Forest
- Visitor services — park store operations, interpretive programs, and the staff who help millions of visitors each year
- Conservation — supporting the long-term health of public lands in the Black Hills and Nebraska
BHPFA is the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service in the Black Hills region. We have supported these public lands since 1946.
Additional information
| Weight | 3 oz |
|---|---|
| Brand | Nestled Pines Woodworking |
| Dimensions | 3 3/4" x 3" x 3/16" |
| Weight | 0.2 oz |
| Material | Sustainably harvested hardwood, laser-cut |
| Country of Origin | USA |
Note on International Orders
Some countries charge import duties, VAT, or handling fees on delivery. These are set by your local government and are not included in our checkout total. Customers are responsible for paying any such charges before receiving their package.
