Grasslands National Park: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Saskatchewan - Grasslands National Park 01.JPG|thumb|left|alt=Buttes and hills of Grasslands National Park are silhouetted against the sky. Some snow remains.|West Block of Grasslands National Park in early April 2010]]Grasslands National Park represents the Prairie Grasslands natural region, protecting one of the nation's few remaining areas of undisturbed dry mixed-grass/[[Shortgrass prairie|shortgrass]] [[prairie]] grassland. The park is located in the WWF-defined [[Northern short grasslands]] [[ecoregion]], which spans much of Southern Saskatchewan, [[Southern Alberta]], and the northern [[Great Plains]] states in the [[USA]]. The unique landscape and harsh, [[semi-arid climate]] provide niches for several adapted [[plant]]s and [[animal]]s. The park and surrounding area house the country's only [[black-tailed prairie dog]] colonies. Rare and endangered [[fauna]] found in the park include the [[pronghorn]], [[sage grouse]], [[burrowing owl]], [[ferruginous hawk]], [[Crotalus viridis viridis|prairie rattlesnake]], [[black-footed ferret]] and eastern [[short-horned lizard]]. [[Flora]] includes [[blue grama]] grass, [[Stipa|needlegrass]], [[Eastern Cottonwood|Plains Cottonwood]] and [[Artemisia cana|silver sagebrush]]. |
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Glacial meltwater erosion formed many of the park's characteristic features. Highlights of the park's geological landscape include the [[Frenchman River]] Valley, the 70 Mile Butte, the Killdeer [[Badlands]] and Rock Creek. |
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In 1874 Sir [[George Mercer Dawson]] discovered western Canada's first dinosaur remains in the Killdeer Badlands during the International Boundary Survey. Later, in 1877, [[Sitting Bull]] took refuge in the area with around 5000 [[Sioux]] after the defeat of [[George Armstrong Custer|Custer]] at the [[Battle of Little Bighorn]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Grasslands National Park of Canada: Human - Land Relationships - Human History |url=http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/grasslands/natcul/natcul5.aspx |publisher=Parks Canada |accessdate=April 13, 2012}}</ref> |
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At present, there are no camping facilities in the park, though wilderness camping is permitted, and there is an interpretive centre located in the nearby town of [[Val Marie, Saskatchewan|Val Marie]]. The park consists of two widely separated sections. |
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[[File:Saskatchewan - Grasslands National Park 02.JPG|thumb|alt=A A group of seven bison graze on the grasses of Grasslands National Park|A group of seven bison graze on the grasses of Grasslands National Park]] |
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In 2006 [[Plains Bison]] from [[Elk Island National Park]] in Alberta were introduced to Grasslands.<ref>{{cite news|title=Where buffalo roam |author= |url=http://www.canada.com/topics/travel/story.html?id=bc04003c-e581-4fab-be85-0e847b66afe7 |publisher=[[Montreal Gazette]] |date=July 23, 2007 |accessdate=April 13, 2012}}</ref> On October 2, 2009, in a ceremony at Belza House, the park was declared a [[dark-sky preserve]] and a small population of Black-footed ferrets was reintroduced into the prairie dog towns after a 70-year absence. Improved night lighting practices under the dark-sky agreement assure that the park remains dark at night, preserving a natural environment for all nocturnal wildlife.<ref>{{cite web|title=Grasslands National Park |url=http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/grasslands/index.aspx |publisher=Parks Canada |accessdate=April 13, 2012}}</ref> |
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The park annually gets about 6000 visitors. Its alternate official name is ''Parc national des Prairies'' in [[French language|French]]. |
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Grasslands National Park is one of Canada's newer national parks, located in southern Saskatchewan, and one of 44 parks and park reserves in Canada's national park system. The system aims to protect representative areas of the country's 39 natural regions. |
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Grasslands National Park represents the Prairie Grasslands natural region, protecting one of the nation's few remaining areas of undisturbed dry mixed-grass/shortgrass prairie grassland. The park is located in the WWF-defined Northern short grasslands ecoregion, which spans much of Southern Saskatchewan, Southern Alberta, and the northern Great Plains states in the USA. The unique landscape and harsh, semi-arid climate provide niches for several adapted plants and animals. The park and surrounding area house the country's only [[Black-tailed Prairie Dog]] colonies. Rare and endangered fauna found in the park include the [[Pronghorn Antilope]], [[Greater Sage Grouse]], [[Burrowing Owl]], [[Ferruginous Hawk]], [[Prairie Rattlesnake]], [[Black-footed Ferret]] and [[Greater Short-horned Lizard]]. Flora includes blue grama grass, needlegrass, Plains Cottonwood and silver sagebrush. |
Grasslands National Park represents the Prairie Grasslands natural region, protecting one of the nation's few remaining areas of undisturbed dry mixed-grass/shortgrass prairie grassland. The park is located in the WWF-defined Northern short grasslands ecoregion, which spans much of Southern Saskatchewan, Southern Alberta, and the northern Great Plains states in the USA. The unique landscape and harsh, semi-arid climate provide niches for several adapted plants and animals. The park and surrounding area house the country's only [[Black-tailed Prairie Dog]] colonies. Rare and endangered fauna found in the park include the [[Pronghorn Antilope]], [[Greater Sage Grouse]], [[Burrowing Owl]], [[Ferruginous Hawk]], [[Prairie Rattlesnake]], [[Black-footed Ferret]] and [[Greater Short-horned Lizard]]. Flora includes blue grama grass, needlegrass, Plains Cottonwood and silver sagebrush. |
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Glacial meltwater erosion formed many of the park's characteristic features. Highlights of the park's geological landscape include the Frenchman River Valley, the 70 Mile Butte, the Badlands of Rock Creek (East Block) |
Glacial meltwater erosion formed many of the park's characteristic features. Highlights of the park's geological landscape include the Frenchman River Valley, the 70 Mile Butte, the Badlands of Rock Creek (East Block. ) |
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In 1874 Sir George Mercer Dawson discovered western Canada's first dinosaur remains in the Killdeer Badlands during the International Boundary Survey. Later, in 1877, Sitting Bull took refuge in the area with around 5000 Sioux after the defeat of Custer at the Battle of Little Bighorn.[1] |
In 1874 Sir George Mercer Dawson discovered western Canada's first dinosaur remains in the Killdeer Badlands during the International Boundary Survey. Later, in 1877, Sitting Bull took refuge in the area with around 5000 Sioux after the defeat of Custer at the Battle of Little Bighorn.[1] |
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Revision as of 22:01, 28 September 2012
{{Infobox Protected area | name = Grasslands National Park | iucn_category = II | map = Canadian National Parks Location.png | map_caption = Location of Grasslands National Park | locator_x = 79 | locator_y = 186 | location = Saskatchewan | nearest_city = Swift Current, Val Marie, Wood Mountain | lat_d = 49 | lat_m = 10 | lat_s = 37 | lat_NS = N | long_d = 107 | long_m = 25 | long_s = 33 | long_EW = W | area = 907 km² | established = 1981 | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | governing_body = Parks Canada
Grasslands National Park is one of Canada's newer national parks, located in southern Saskatchewan, and one of 44 parks and park reserves in Canada's national park system. The system aims to protect representative areas of the country's 39 natural regions.
Grasslands National Park represents the Prairie Grasslands natural region, protecting one of the nation's few remaining areas of undisturbed dry mixed-grass/shortgrass prairie grassland. The park is located in the WWF-defined Northern short grasslands ecoregion, which spans much of Southern Saskatchewan, Southern Alberta, and the northern Great Plains states in the USA. The unique landscape and harsh, semi-arid climate provide niches for several adapted plants and animals. The park and surrounding area house the country's only Black-tailed Prairie Dog colonies. Rare and endangered fauna found in the park include the Pronghorn Antilope, Greater Sage Grouse, Burrowing Owl, Ferruginous Hawk, Prairie Rattlesnake, Black-footed Ferret and Greater Short-horned Lizard. Flora includes blue grama grass, needlegrass, Plains Cottonwood and silver sagebrush.
Glacial meltwater erosion formed many of the park's characteristic features. Highlights of the park's geological landscape include the Frenchman River Valley, the 70 Mile Butte, the Badlands of Rock Creek (East Block. )
In 1874 Sir George Mercer Dawson discovered western Canada's first dinosaur remains in the Killdeer Badlands during the International Boundary Survey. Later, in 1877, Sitting Bull took refuge in the area with around 5000 Sioux after the defeat of Custer at the Battle of Little Bighorn.[1]
The West Block of the park is located 1 hour South of Swift Current and the main Visitor Reception Centre is located in the town of Val Marie, SK. Highlights of the West Block include the Frenchman River Valley, a herd of over 300 Plains Bison as well as prairie dog colonies. A new campground called the Frenchman Valley Campground offers visitors serviced camping sites, teepee camping and a beautiful cook shelter. Backcountry camping is also available for the adventerous visitor.
The East Block of the park is about 1 hour South of Assiniboia, near Wood Mountain Regional Park. The interpretive centre is in the McGowan House at the new Rock Creek Campground. The East Block is more of a wilderness area but offers spectacular views of the Badlands of Rock Creek, the KT-Boundary and amazing prairie skies.
In 2006 Plains Bison from Elk Island National Park in Alberta were introduced to Grasslands.[2] On October 2, 2009, in a ceremony at Belza House, the park was declared a dark-sky preserve and a small population of Black-footed ferrets was reintroduced into the prairie dog towns after a 70-year absence. Improved night lighting practices under the dark-sky agreement assure that the park remains dark at night, preserving a natural environment for all nocturnal wildlife.[3]
The park annually gets about 6000 visitors. Its alternate official name is Parc national des Prairies in French.
See also
References
^ "Grasslands National Park of Canada: Human - Land Relationships - Human History". Parks Canada. http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/grasslands/natcul/natcul5.aspx. Retrieved April 13, 2012. ^ "Where buffalo roam". Montreal Gazette. July 23, 2007. http://www.canada.com/topics/travel/story.html?id=bc04003c-e581-4fab-be85-0e847b66afe7. Retrieved April 13, 2012. ^ "Grasslands National Park". Parks Canada. http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/grasslands/index.aspx. Retrieved April 13, 2012. ^ "Camping in Grasslands National Park". Parks Canada. http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/grasslands/activ/activ4.aspx
External links
- Parks Canada Grasslands National Park website
- Val Marie Village website
- The Prairie Learning Centre
- WWF - Northern Short Grasslands
- Grasslands National Park - Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan
