Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park
Athbasca-Sand dunes.jpg
Flyover of the sand dunes
Map showing the location of Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park
Location of Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park in Canada
Location  Saskatchewan
Nearest city None - access by float plane
Coordinates 59°03′30″N 108°43′00″W / 59.05833°N 108.7166667°W / 59.05833; -108.7166667Coordinates: 59°03′30″N 108°43′00″W / 59.05833°N 108.7166667°W / 59.05833; -108.7166667
Area 1,925 square kilometres (743 sq mi)
Established October 1988
Governing body Saskatchewan Parks

Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park is a unique geophysical land feature in the boreal shield ecosystem of the province of Saskatchewan.[1] It first came to attention that it should be a protected area in 1969, finally becoming the Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Wilderness Park on August 24, 1992. The park extends 100 kilometers along the southern edge of Lake Athabasca. The sand dunes may run between 400 to 1,500 metres long and approximately 30 metres at the greatest height.[2] The Fond du Lac First Nation have a reserve which is adjacent to the park.[3] It is the most northerly sand dune area in the world, and accessible by float plane or boat only.[4]

Contents

[edit] Endemic flora

This area is home to rare species of plant life not found anywhere else. Some of the plants which may be found in this area are field chickweed (Cerastium arvense), felt-leaved willow (Salix silicicola), Mackenzie hairgrass (Deschampsia mackenzieana), Tyrrell’s willow (Salix planifolia tyrrellii), and floccose tansy (Tanacetum huronense var. floccosum).[2]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Athabasca Sand Dunes". Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society. http://www.cpaws-sask.org/boreal_forest/athabasca_sand_dunes.html. Retrieved 2011-11-10. 
  2. ^ a b Stewart, Iain (2006). "Athabasca Sand Dunes". Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. Canadian Plains Research Center, University of Regina. http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/athabasca_sand_dunes.html. Retrieved 2011-11-10. 
  3. ^ Jones, Art (2006). "Saskatchewan's Athabasca Sand Dunes". Western Canadian Online Outdoors News. Ya'Gotta Communications & Marketing. http://www.yagotta.ca/destinations/athabascasand.htm. Retrieved 2011-11-10. 
  4. ^ (PDF) Saskatchewan 2011-2012 Provincial Parks Guide. Saskatchewan Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport. 2006. p. 43. http://www.environment.gov.sk.ca/saskparks/ParkInfo/parks/Park.asp?park=Athabasca%20Sand%20Dunes. Retrieved 20011-11-10. 

[edit] External links

Personal tools
Namespaces
Variants
Actions
Navigation
Interaction
Toolbox
Print/export