WEST BRANCH, IOWA— Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, in partnership with the City of West Branch and Main Street West Branch, invites visitors to an expanded series of special musical events this summer. The summer concerts begin ...

WEST BRANCH, IOWA– Come out for some recreation and exercise in a national park this winter! A park ranger will lead snowshoe hikes through Herbert Hoover National Historic Site at 10 a.m. on Saturdays, January 16 and 30 and Saturday, February 13. The one-hour "Snowshoe through the Park" is suitable for ages 5 and up, will begin at the visitor center, and will cover less than one mile through the restored tallgrass prairie landscape. Participants must have sturdy boots, and should dress appropriately for the weather and bring water. The hikes will be cancelled if there is not enough snow on the ground.

The park has some snowshoes to lend. Call (319) 643-2541 to reserve a pair. Participants borrowing snowshoes should arrive 15 to 30 minutes early to get fitted.

This year the National Park Service launched its "Find Your Park" campaign which begins a two year celebration commemorating its first 100 years of preservation and service to the public. "Find Your Park" is aimed at getting people out to experience all their national parks have to offer and to share their favorite stories about National Parks. Visit www.findyourpark.com to learn more.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum are in West Branch, Iowa at exit 254 off I-80. Both are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. For more information go online at www.nps.gov/heho or call (319) 643-2541.

Report shows visitor spending supports 131 jobs in local economy

WEST BRANCH, IOWA–A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 139,086 visitors to Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in 2014 spent $7,800,400 in communities near the park. That spending supported 131 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $9,928,900. "Herbert Hoover National Historic Site welcomes visitors from across the country and around the world," said Superintendent Pete Swisher. "We are delighted to share the story of this place and the experiences it provides. We also feature the park as a way to introduce our visitors to this part of the country and all that it offers. National park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy, returning $10 for every $1 invested in the National Park Service, and it's a big factor in our local economy as well. We appreciate the partnership and support of our neighbors and are glad to be able to give back by helping to sustain local communities."

The peer?reviewed visitor spending analysis was conducted by U.S. Geological Survey economists Catherine Cullinane Thomas and Christopher Huber and National Park Service economist Lynne Koontz.  The report shows $15.7 billion of direct spending by 292.8 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. This spending supported 277,000 jobs nationally; 235,600 of those jobs are found in these gateway communities. The cumulative benefit to the U.S. economy was $29.7 billion.

According to the 2014 report, most park visitor spending was for lodging (30.6 percent) followed by food and beverages (20.3 percent), gas and oil (11.9 percent), admissions and fees (10.2 percent) and souvenirs and other expenses (9.9 percent).

To download the report visit http://www.nature.nps.gov/socialscience/economics.cfm. The report includes information for visitor spending at individual parks and by state.

To learn more about national parks in Iowa and how the National Park Service works with Iowa communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/iowa.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum are in West Branch, Iowa at exit 254 off I-80. Both are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. For more information go online at www.nps.gov/heho or call (319) 643-2541.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

110 Parkside Drive

PO Box 607

West Branch, Iowa 52358

319 643-2541 phone

319 643-7864 fax

www.nps.gov/heho

Twitter: @HooverNPS

Facebook: HerbertHooverNHS

WEST BRANCH, IOWA– Herbert Hoover National Historic Site will burn approximately 30-40 acres of the 81-acre tallgrass prairie located on the site.  The staff plans to conduct the prescribed fire sometime between late April and the end of May.  According to Mike Wilson, Chief Ranger at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, "Weather conditions and safety considerations will determine the exact date and time of the fire."

Park personnel last burned the prairie in the spring of 2011, when specially trained National Park Service fire crews burned nearly a third of the prairie. National Park Service staff follows a scientific prescription for prairie burning called a "burn plan."  The burn plan describes the objectives of the fire, the fuel available in the prairie, the size and location of the prescribed burn, and the precise conditions for the fire.  Safety considerations and smoke control play important roles in the burn plan.  Although, the prescribed fire crew will employ methods that minimize the amount of smoke produced, anyone suffering from asthma, emphysema, or lung disease, and living within one mile of the National Historic Site should contact the park at 319-643-2541. If they leave their name, address, and telephone number, park staff will notify them in advance of the fire.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum are in West Branch, Iowa at exit 254 off I-80. Both are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. For more information go online at www.nps.gov/heho or call (319) 643-2541.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

110 Parkside Drive

PO Box 607

West Branch, Iowa 52358

319 643-2541 phone

319 643-7864 fax

www.nps.gov/heho

Twitter: @HooverNPS

Facebook: HerbertHooverNHS