The sand is constantly shifting and this has led to some interesting adaptations by the plants to stay rooted. Some have extensive root and stem systems that hold sand in place so that even after the dune they are growing in has moved, they have "their own dune" held in place. Plants also have to grow quickly to ensure that they are not buried forever beneath the sands.
We have visited White Sands National Monument twice (once in 2010 and again in 2015) and driven by it countless times. Every time we pass through the area, I want to stop, but we just don't always have time. This is one of those places that is so strange that you have to see it for yourself. There are a few places away from the coasts with sand dunes, like Death Valley National Park, but these sand dunes are different...they are made of gypsum. As seasonal water evaporates, selenite crystals form underground. When the crystals become exposed, wind and water break them down until they become the gypsum sand that you see all around you at White Sands National Monument (for a more detailed description of the geological processes that created this natural phenomenon, please visit the National Park Service's website here.) To top it all off, these are the largest gypsum sand dunes in the world. There is an auto tour that you can drive at your leisure and several places to stop along the way. Additionally, several Ranger Programs are offered throughout the year. The dunes lie in the Tularosa Basin surrounded by two mountain ranges, the San Andreas and Sacramento Mountains. While the dunes may look barren, White Sands is a fragile ecosystem containing lots of life. As you step out of your car to explore, please be mindful of the difficult conditions that these plants and animals must endure to survive and do not disturb them. The sand is constantly shifting and this has led to some interesting adaptations by the plants to stay rooted. Some have extensive root and stem systems that hold sand in place so that even after the dune they are growing in has moved, they have "their own dune" held in place. Plants also have to grow quickly to ensure that they are not buried forever beneath the sands. The circular pattern in the sand around the grasses pictured below has been created by the wind. Since the dunes are constantly moving, the staff regularly clean the roads, leaving interesting patterns in the sand (pictured below). One of the Ranger Programs includes a daily sunset walk. We had a great time participating and learned about the native plants and animals while enjoying the beautiful scenery of the the sun setting over the white dunes. During the walk, we found a surprising number of animal tracks! And when it got too dark to look for tracks, we watched the sunset. For more information, please visit White Sands National Monument's website.
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September 2022
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