Volunteering At White Sands National Monument

(White Sands, New Mexico) 68 degrees, blue cloudless skies

We have arrived at White Sands National Monument (part of the National Park system) and will be volunteering here until December 31st.  It is such a spectacular place and we are so thrilled with this opportunity.  We had planned to visit our friends who are volunteering here  after the balloon fiesta.  John and Eileen were our NOMADS leaders in Eustis Florida  last winter. 

Eileen and John

About a week before we were to arrive Eileen called and said "what are  you doing after your visit to White Sands?  Would you like to volunteer here for awhile".  Our answer was an immediate yes!  A couple that had signed up to be here had cancelled.  We quickly filled out all the paper work and talked to Becky, the Interpretive Coordinator.  In return for our site we will work four days a week with Friday - Sunday off. 

John will work out in the dune fields repairing fences and removing invasive plants (Tamarisk).  He will also do maintenance around the park.  I will work two days a week in the administration office helping organize the files and the other two days I'll work in the visitor center and give a sunset stroll in the evening.  It is a great opportunity for us and we are so grateful to our friends for recommending us. 

We arrived just in time to go on Eileen's sunset stroll. She has volunteered here for seven years and it is her favorite place on earth. Both she and John and have immersed themselves into understanding the dunes, wildlife, and plants that make up this special park. They were so knowledgeable and their love for this place is so evident.

Eileen beginning stroll

The sunset stroll lasts about an  hour.  This is something I will have to do in about two weeks.  Yikes!  I have a lot to learn.  She told us these are the largest gypsum sand dunes in the world.  We walked up and down three dunes as she told us about how the dunes are made.  She also identified  tracks of little animals in the dunes and told us about the plant life and how it has adapted to live in this tough desert.

Eileen had us dig in the sand and just a few inches below the surface we found that the sand was damp.  Amazing!  Water can also be found just 20 inches below the surface and this is one of the reason why the sand dunes have not blown away.  The damp sand sort of acts like a glue and only the surface sand moves.

So, how are these dunes get here?  Eileen explained that the dunes sit within the Tularosa Basin.  It does not have any outlet such as  stream or river. Usually gypsum just washes away but this special place keeps that from happening. It's like a great big bowl.

Gypsum liquefies in the surrounding mountains and flows down into the lake bed.  Over time the gypsum forms into crystals.  The wind, freezing temperatures, and collision of the gypsum crystals break down and eventually it all crumble and becomes this beautiful white sand. 

Here is a cottonwood tree that is trying to ride the sand wave.  Some of the roots are above the sand and the trunk is inside this sand dune  and started in the interdunal area (where the people are walking). It manages to live and ride the wave as the dune passes.  The tree may or may not survive after the dune passes. Sand dunes are always moving.  They can travel in some areas over 37 feet a year and others move only a few inches. 

Skunk sumac atop a pedestal

This beautiful pedestal may survive several dune passing.  The sumac (and other plants) can create these as the dune passes due to pressure, water, and roots creating almost a concrete substance.  Most of the wildlife hang out here.  The largest mammal is the kit fox.  He is about the size of chiwawa and weighs only four pounds.  He munches on mice, lizards, and kangaroo rats.  Larger animals usually do not live here.  There is not enough to eat and very little water. 

As the dune passes it leaves these cool footprints.   It is easy to tell where the huge dune has been and it's future travel. 

Dune footprints

Eileen's tour ended at the top of the dune just in time for sunset.  Perfect ending!  What a special place.  Check back soon to read more about this very special National Monument.