White Sands National monument is the largest gypsum

dunefield in the world. It covers 275 square miles and can raise
up to the height of a three story building. It is located off of
Highway 70 from Las Cruces to Alamogordo in the Tularosa Basin.
The dunes are so large that they can be seen from space.
The dunes at White Sands began forming seven thousand to
ten thousand years ago when Lake Otero started to dry up. The
dunes were shaped by the southwesterly winds. The different
types of dunes depend on the amount of sand available, the
power of the wind, and the vegetation that anchored the sand.
The key ingredient to White Sands being the worlds largest
gypsum dunefield is the water which is necessary for gypsum
sand to form. The dunes are at one hundred percent humidity and
form a water table in a layer of impermeable clay which acts as
glue holding the dunes in place. The dunes absorb moisture so
the sand will never get hot even when the temperature is over
one hundred degrees.
Tom Charles was the most famous local supporter who
suggested to the National Park Service Officials and Congressmen
to include White Sands in the National Park system. The
monument was established in 1906 under President Herbert
Hoovers administration and was declared a National Monument
under the Antiquities Act during the last days of his term. With
this act he set aside 142,987 acres for scenic, scientific, and
educational purposes. The popularity of this area became well
known to many people. With that being said we needed facilities
like restrooms, water, and information of the history and
formation of the dunes. Under President Roosevelts New Deal,
the Works Progress Administration (WPA) funded and constructed
a visitors center with a museum, restrooms, residences for park
staff, an administration building, and a maintenance shed. This
was completed in 1938.
The plants found at White Sands National monument are
drought tolerant and able to survive in temperatures ranging from
sub-freezing to over one hundred degrees Fahrenheit. Cacti and

Desert Succulents survive with very little water. They store their
water throughout the summer and dry winters and still produce
beautiful blossoms in the spring. Tiny animals feed on desert
grasses that grow on high alkaline soil. Grass seeds make
protein-rich kernels that animals feed off of. Very few trees and
scrubs grow here due to the salty and alkaline water. The trees
stand tall in order to keep leaves in the sunlight above the shifting
sands. Even though White Sands is a dry landscape many desert
plants have beautiful and colorful blossoms. For example, Prickly
Pears have red and yellow flowers and century plants bloom
bright pink.
The animals that live at White Sands have to survive the
harsh environment due to very little surface water and highly
mineralized ground water. Of the twenty-six species of
amphibians found in New Mexico only seven species of
amphibians are found at White Sands. These amphibians have
very thin skins which cause them to absorb water through their
skin and allow them to breath. The first of these species is the
Barred Tiger salamander. There are three species of toads which
are the Western, Red-spotted and Great Plains toads. The other
remaining toads that are known to survive at this monument are
Plains toad, Mexican toad, and Couchs toad. The official state
amphibian of New Mexico is the Mexican Spadefoot toad who gets
its name from a spade-like projection on its hind legs. One of the
most highly adapted species is the Couchs Spadefoot toad.
Over 220 species of birds have been recorded at the
monument. Some of the most commonly seen birds are the
Cactus Wren, the Chihuahuan Raven, the Horned Lark, the
Northern Harrier Hawk, the Red-Tailed Hawk, the Great Horned
Owl, the Burrowing Owl, and the Greater Roadrunner. The
Roadrunner is also the official state bird.
Years ago there was a large salt lake now known as Lake
Otero which once filled the Tularosa Basin. The only aquatic life
known to survive the climate changes has been the White Sands
Pupfish. This fish isnt found anywhere else in the world which

makes it a threatened species by the New Mexico State Game

Commission. There are only four populations of the White Sands
Pupfish throughout the Tularosa Basin, which are Malpais Springs,
Mound Spring, Salt Creek, and the last is located in lost river
which begins on Holloman Air Force Base and finishes within the
monument.
Over 600 species of invertebrates are found within the
monument. Many of them are beetles, spiders, dragonflies, ants,
mantis, scorpion, crickets, wasps, tarantulas, grasshoppers,
moths, and walking sticks. The importance of invertebrates is
that they are food for mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and other
invertebrates. They create soil, decompose organic matter, and
pollinate and disperse seeds. With that being said these creatures
are often feared but should be left alone to continue their
important work.
Mammals found at White Sands have adapted to hot
summers by hiding in their dens until it cools down. It is unlikely
that you will see these mammals on the monument, but you can
find evidence if their coming and going by their footprints left
behind. Some of the mammals in the monument are badgers,
bobcats, rabbits, coyotes, foxes, rats, bats, gophers, and
porcupines.
Reptiles are also found in the White Sands environment.
They survive the scorching sun and little rain. One of the reptiles
is the Desert Box Turtle which lives along the edge of the
monument. There are five different species of snakes. They are
the Massasauga, Prairie Rattlesnake, Sonoran Gopher, Western
Coachwhip, and the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake. Lizards
found wondering the dunes are the Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard,
Common Side-Blotched Lizard, Bleached Earless Lizard,
Southwestern Fence Lizard, and the Little White Whiptail.
The amazing landscape at White Sand National Monument
has been the backdrop for photographers and cinematographers.
The beauty of this area has been setting for commercials, films,
fashion catalogs, music videos, made-for-TV movies, and

documentaries. The first major motion picture filmed at White

Sands in 1950 was King Solomons Mines. However, the most
well-known movie that was filmed there was Transformers 2 in
2006. There is a total of 23 movies made at this monument. In
1993 the first music video and documentary were filmed. Ninety
percent of every make of cars that was made in the United States
was either photographed or filmed in this monument. For more
information view this link
http://www.nps.gov/whsa/planyourvisit/upload/filming_history_11_
18_11.pdf.
After the Pearl Harbor attack, in 1942, President Roosevelt
signed Executive order #9029 which created the Alamogordo
Bombing and Gunnery Range which was part of White Sands.
Within the monument boundaries soldiers were allowed to
practice tank maneuvers. In 1945, the Military began testing
missiles and the first atomic bomb was tested at Trinity Site which
is located sixty miles north of the monument. At Trinity Site they
have tours that you can go on to visit the site. For further
information you can call 1-800-826-0294 or visit the website at
http://www.wsmr.army.mil/PAO/Trinity/Pages/default.aspx. One of
the most amazing events that happened at the White Sands
National Monument was when the Columbia shuttle landed at the
monument on March 31, 1982. The retired shuttle Endeavour also
made its appearance from the monument during its final flight on
a Boeing 747 shuttle Aircraft Carrier on September 20, 2012.
Other than the historical reasons to visit the monument
there are other family fun activities like ranger guided activities
which include tent talks, sunset strolls, full moon hikes, full moon
bike rides, and full moon nights. Family activities could include
cookouts, reunions, birthdays, and sand surfing. Entrance fees are
five dollars per person ages sixteen and up or you may purchase
a thirty dollar pass which gives access to the card holder plus
three adults. It is valid for twelve months from the month of
purchase. These fees are used to protect and preserve the park

for future generations to enjoy. For further information view this

link http://www.nps.gov/whsa/planyourvisit/fees.htm.
For safety regulations it is very important that you drink
plenty of water. To prevent heat stroke take frequent breaks from
out of the sun and drink water while resting. Be aware of your
surroundings and let others know where you are at. Be careful
when digging holes in the sand as the sand is heavy and could
collapse. In case you are out in the dunefield during a lightning
storm take cover wherever possible. If there isnt any shelter
squat low to the ground and cover your ears and face. Before
visiting the monument be prepared and wear sunscreen and take
a hat and sunglasses. Also, for visitors safety the monument may
close during missile testing, but the visitors center and the gift
shop will remain open.
When I visited the monument I saw huge dunes that stood
up high like a small mountain. When I stood on top of the dunes I
felt a small breeze go by. While I was visiting the monument I
interviewed Marie Owens, a park ranger that worked in the office.
While talking to her I found out some new information such as
they get 500,000 people per year. Also the dunes absorb moisture
in the sand so they will never get hot even if its over 100 degrees
Fahrenheit. The Pupfish are found in the missile range area, but
the monument has tours that go out once a month. It took 2
billion dollars to create the atomic bomb. The reason they decided
to have the first atomic bomb go off in New Mexico was because
they didnt want to test it close to the war and also because they
didnt want the Germans to get ahold of the bomb technology
should something go wrong. Also, New Mexico was chosen as
there werent a lot of residents that lived in the area and there
was a lot of open desert area. In regards to any controversy
regarding the White Sands National Monument there arent any
issues known to the park rangers. The only controversy would be
due to the Missile Range area which includes the monument. The
government spends thousands of dollars on military testing and
equipment in order to protect the country, borders, and allies.

There are people who do not agree with the military presence at
White Sands missile range nor with the amount of money being
spent on the missile testing and program.
In conclusion, I would recommend that everyone should go
and visit our local national monument. There are lots of historical
reasons that you should go and visit the monument. To
experience this beautiful landmark it would be a great experience
to have a family fun gathering at these wonderful dunes.