NPS - National Park Service

09/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/08/2024 03:27

White Sands National Park to Host Presentation on Fossilized Footprints for August’s Full Moon Night Event

Date:
August 9, 2024
Contact:Brian Powers, 575-479-6124 ext 230

ALAMOGORDO - White Sands National Park will hold August's Full Moon Night event on Monday, August 19, 2024, at 8:00 pm.

In partnership with Western National Parks Association, we are pleased to host a ranger presentation at the White Sands August Full Moon Night event. Join Resource Management Program Manager, David Bustos who will explore the fascinating story of prey and predators as he guides you through a journey of life here at White Sands that will take you back to 23,000 years ago. Learn the tales of ancient humans, how they hunted, how they lived, and the current study of the fossilized footprints found at White Sands which are uncovering this riveting story.

White Sands has the largest collection of Ice Age era fossilized footprints in the Americas. Human footprints along with the footprints of giant ground sloths, mammoths, camels, dire wolves, and other Ice Age animals have been found by the thousands and is currently the focus of groundbreaking research.

Join David for an educational experience on Monday, August 19, at 8:00 p.m. in the park's natural outdoor amphitheater. The program is free, but park entrance fees will apply. To get to the amphitheater, drive approximately six miles beyond the fee station to an intersection just after the Backcountry Camping Trail parking lot. Take a right at that intersection and then the second left. Drive approximately one mile further and the amphitheater will be on the right side. The parking lot will open at 7:00 pm. Seating is not provided at the amphitheater. You are encouraged to set up on the surrounding dunes and bring camp chairs, blankets, and coolers with food and drinks. Please help keep White Sands beautiful by packing in and out all your trash.

This is the third of five Full Moon Night events White Sands is planning this summer which will feature the cultural legacy of Southern New Mexico and the rich natural resources of White Sands. These events are a great opportunity to have a unique experience with the whole family under the light of the full moon.