Say hello to number 62 in the USA National Park system: White Sands National Park in New Mexico.
White Sands National Monument has been designated as the newest US national park
White Sands, which until recently was a national monument, is the second full fledged national park in New Mexico, joining Carlsbad Caverns. I say "full fledged" because the USA park system is a bit murky. There are many types of protected areas, including national monument, national recreation area, national seashore, national historic park, national historic trail, etc.
However national park (with no other addendum like "historic") is the highest level of protection. A president can declare a national monument without congressional approval, but only congress can designate a national park (though like any bill it still needs the president's signature).
ZooChatters will be interested to know that several years ago the park service had to erect a fence around the perimeter to keep gemsbok out so they would not damage the dunes and the very few plants. Introduced gemsbok roam the neighboring White Sands Missile Range as a source for trophy hunters.
White Sands National Monument has been designated as the newest US national park
White Sands, which until recently was a national monument, is the second full fledged national park in New Mexico, joining Carlsbad Caverns. I say "full fledged" because the USA park system is a bit murky. There are many types of protected areas, including national monument, national recreation area, national seashore, national historic park, national historic trail, etc.
However national park (with no other addendum like "historic") is the highest level of protection. A president can declare a national monument without congressional approval, but only congress can designate a national park (though like any bill it still needs the president's signature).
ZooChatters will be interested to know that several years ago the park service had to erect a fence around the perimeter to keep gemsbok out so they would not damage the dunes and the very few plants. Introduced gemsbok roam the neighboring White Sands Missile Range as a source for trophy hunters.