EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — White Sands National Park is celebrating its fifth anniversary of becoming a national park by hosting special programs throughout the week of Dec. 16-20.
According to the news release by the National Park Service, White Sands National Monument became a national park on Dec. 20, 2019, and was redesignated as White Sands National Park.
The events, beginning on Monday, Dec. 16, and ending on Friday, Dec. 20, are free to the public and do not require a reservation, but park entry fees may apply:
Monday, Dec. 16
Life Within Drop-In Program, anytime between 2 to 3 p.m.
Catch a glimpse into the remarkable ways life has adapted to the Tularosa Basin at the Visitor Center Courtyard
History Tour of White Sands Visitor Center, meets at 3 p.m. (approximately 30-45 minutes)
Learn about the unique southwest architecture and history of our beautiful visitor center by the historic sign.
Tuesday, Dec. 17
Cocoa with a Ranger, anytime between 1 and 2 p.m.
Enjoy a hot beverage while asking a ranger your burning questions about White Sands National Park at the Visitor Center Courtyard
Life Within Drop-In Program, anytime between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m.
Catch a glimpse into the remarkable ways life has adapted to the Tularosa Basin at the Visitor Center Courtyard.
Wednesday, Dec. 18
Junior Ranger Coloring Club, anytime between 9:30 and 11 a.m.
Bring the kids to color and learn about their national park with White Sands’ most passionate education interns at the Visitor Center Museum
Life Within Drop-In Program, anytime between 1 and 2 p.m.
Catch a glimpse into the remarkable ways life has adapted to the Tularosa Basin at the Visitor Center Courtyard.
Solar Observing Program, anytime between 2 and 4 p.m.
Learn about Earth’s favorite star with partners from the New Mexico Museum of Space History by stopping at the historic sign in front of the visitor center.
Thursday, Dec. 19
Life Within Drop-In Program, anytime between 2 and 3 p.m.
Catch a glimpse into the remarkable ways life has adapted to the Tularosa Basin at the Visitor Center Courtyard.
Sunset Stroll with Ranger Rebekah, meets at 4 p.m. (45 minutes to 1 hour program)
A ranger-guided leisurely half-mile hike to learn about the unique history and science of White Sands National Park. Meet in the parking lot between Backcountry Camping Trail parking lot and Yucca picnic area.
Friday, Dec. 20
Cocoa with a Ranger, anytime between 10 and 11 a.m.
Enjoy a hot beverage while asking a ranger your burning questions about White Sands National Park at the Visitor Center Courtyard.
Let’s Talk Trackways Program, begins at 2 p.m. (30-minute program)
On the far reaches of the world’s largest gypsum dune field, the world’s oldest fossilized footprints are studied by researchers from around the world. Learn more about this unique resource at the Visitor Center Courtyard.
Sunset Stroll with Ranger Payton, meets at 4 p.m. (45 minutes – 1 hour program)
A ranger-guided leisurely half-mile hike to learn about the unique history and science of White Sands National Park. Meet in the parking lot between Backcountry Camping Trail parking lot and Yucca picnic area.
“The redesignation to a national park recognized the added significance of the park for its natural and cultural resources. In addition to containing the world’s largest gypsum dune field, including gypsum heart mounds found nowhere else on Earth, the park is home to the globe’s largest collection of Ice-Age fossilized footprints that tell more than 20,000 years of human presence, all while providing memorable recreational opportunities. It is also home to endemic species such as numerous moths that have been newly discovered to science,” White Sands said.
For more information on programs or events happening at White Sands, you can visit their website here.
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