Visitors and natives alike may find Vicksburg’s unique landscape an obstacle to understanding the military tactics of the 1863 Siege of Vicksburg.

To remedy this, the park is beginning a process to analyze itself, determining if it meets &#8220the purpose of ‘(commemorating) the campaign and siege of Vicksburg,’” Park Superintendent Monika Mayr wrote in a park newsletter to the public.

&#8220The process we’re undertaking now will uncover areas where it is almost crucial to remove the vegetation because they are areas of important military action,” said Mayr.

At a June 26 open house, the public will have the opportunity to tell park officials what they love about the park – but also what they would like to see changed.

The open house will be hosted by the park and Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc., contractors hired by the park to research landscape alternatives.

Terry Winschel, the park’s historian, noted that the Vicksburg National Military Park gives Vicksburg both a national and international identity, increasing the importance of restoring the historical accuracy of the park.

Vegetation has compromised historical accuracy in several places throughout the park.

One such example is the area between the Battery De Golyer and the Third Louisiana Redan.

&#8220We’ve had visitors look out over this and say, ‘How could they fight?’” Winschel said of the vista, which is surrounded by trees.

Winschel explained that because of Vicksburg’s natural landscape, erosion became a problem after the park was established in 1899. To reverse the erosion, the Civilian Conservation Corps planted trees in the 1930s. The trees now partially block the expanse of the battlefield, making it harder to understand how military action actually took place.

&#8220It’s essential that this speaks for itself, and right now it’s muted by the trees,” Winschel said.

Environmentalists need not fear, though. The process will take into consideration the commemorative and ecological aspects of the park. Mayr says that many feel the trees lend to the peaceful, reverent atmosphere of the park.

Another site of decisive military action that is camouflaged by vegetation is the area between the Stockade Redan and the U.S. Battery 8. The two sites are about 300 yards apart, but the Union’s cannons appear to fire into the trees rather than at the Confederate Stockade Redan, precisely because there is such thick vegetation between the two sites.

This is the site of two failed May 1863 attacks on the Confederates. These failed attempts ultimately determined that the Union forces could not forcibly take Vicksburg, thus beginning the seige of Vicksburg.

As Winschel said, there are a few places where the military action &#8220speaks for itself.” Mayr and Winschel pointed out Thayer’s Approach and Fort Hill as such sites, where the public can clearly understand the role Vicksburg’s unique landscape played in the military action that took place.

The project is ultimately a tug-of-war between nature and history, but Mayr seeks to find a balance between the two.

She also noted that the Military Park is part of the Mississippi Flyway, which designates the migratory patterns of birds along the Mississippi River. Ecological interests such as these will be taken into consideration as the park plans its rehabilitation.

In 2005, 10 acres around the Railroad Redoubt were restored. Trees were removed, allowing visitors a clearer understanding of the action that took place there. Mayr said the feedback has been positive.

The last time the park undertook similar large-scale restorative action was in 1980. Public opinion was mandated in the 1960s. Mayr believes that public input will be helpful.

&#8220The community will be conflicted because they love the history but they also love the trees,” she said. &#8220They’ll understand how hard our decision is.

Public comments may be submitted at the open house, through the newsletter, or online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov.