Description
What is this ornament?
This laser-cut wood ornament puts six of Wind Cave’s most visible species on a single 3.5-inch piece of hardwood: elk, bison, black-footed ferret, prairie dog, bat, and ponderosa pine. The design was created specifically for BHPFA by Nestled Pines Woodworking, which has produced custom ornaments for national parks and nature organizations for more than a decade.
Wind Cave was established in 1903 as the seventh national park in the United States and the first park created specifically to protect a cave. Above ground, it covers about 28,000 acres of mixed-grass prairie and ponderosa pine forest. The bison herd, descended from 14 animals transferred from the Bronx Zoo in 1913, is one of the first bison restoration herds in North America. Black-footed ferrets, once considered extinct in the wild, were reintroduced to the park as part of a larger recovery program. All six species on this ornament are genuinely part of the Wind Cave landscape.
What’s included
The ornament arrives strung with a ribbon and ready to hang. Each piece is cut from sustainably harvested North American hardwood, dried using solar energy, and laser-cut in Monticello, Wisconsin.
Specifications
- Material: Sustainably harvested North American hardwood (black cherry, maple, and/or black walnut)
- Process: Laser-cut; solar kiln-dried
- Dimensions: 3.5″ wide x 3.25″ tall x 3/16″ thick
- Weight: 0.5 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’ve stood on the prairie at Wind Cave and watched bison drift through the grass, this is a small, affordable way to keep that memory somewhere visible. It works on a Christmas tree, a rearview mirror, a bookshelf, or a key hook by the door.
It’s also a practical gift for someone who loves Wind Cave or the Black Hills and won’t fit a full park experience into their apartment. At $9.99, it’s one of the lowest-priced BHPFA ornaments and ships easily in standard packaging.
Collectors who want one ornament per BHPFA site will find matching designs for Jewel Cave, the Black Hills National Forest, the Nebraska National Forests, and Hudson-Meng. See the product family section below.
Frequently asked questions
What species are shown on the ornament?
Elk, bison, black-footed ferret, prairie dog, bat, and ponderosa pine. These are all species found at Wind Cave National Park above or below ground.
What kind of wood is used?
Nestled Pines uses sustainably harvested North American hardwoods, including black cherry, maple, and black walnut. The specific wood on any given ornament may vary by production run.
Is it painted?
No. The design is laser-cut and laser-engraved into natural wood. There is no paint, stain, or dye. The color comes from the wood itself and any scorching from the laser engraving.
Does buying this support Wind Cave National Park?
Yes. BHPFA is the official nonprofit partner of Wind Cave National Park. Proceeds from purchases fund education programs, conservation projects, and visitor services at Wind Cave and the other five BHPFA partner sites.
Is this an official Wind Cave ornament?
Yes. BHPFA is the cooperating association for Wind Cave National Park and operates the park’s retail stores. This ornament is designed for BHPFA and sold in the park store and online.
Can I put it on a Christmas tree?
Yes. It arrives strung and ready to hang. The ornament weighs 0.5 oz, so it works on most standard branch sizes.
Is it available for the other BHPFA partner parks?
Yes. Nestled Pines made matching ornaments for Jewel Cave National Monument (SKU 2141), the Black Hills National Forest (SKU 3010), the Nebraska National Forests (SKU 3011), and Hudson-Meng Education and Research Center (SKU 2210).
About the collection
Nestled Pines Woodworking in Monticello, Wisconsin, has produced ornaments, magnets, and keychains for national parks, state parks, zoos, and nonprofit organizations for more than a decade. Artist and designer Amie Van Susteren creates each design from scratch for the specific site or organization. BHPFA has a full series covering all six partner sites: Wind Cave, Jewel Cave, Scotts Bluff, the Black Hills National Forest, the Nebraska National Forests, and Hudson-Meng.
Product family
Other ornaments in the Nestled Pines BHPFA series:
- Ornament – Jewel Cave National Monument (SKU 2141)
- Ornament – Black Hills National Forest (SKU 3010)
- Ornament – Nebraska National Forest (SKU 3011)
- Ornament – Hudson-Meng Education and Research Center (SKU 2210)
