Badlands National Park
By: Deborah H
How Badland National Park has changed over time
The badlands were cut by volcanic ash deposits. It has been sculptured by wind and water. This all began 80 million years ago. The badlands wilderness now protects 64,144 acres of land. Early pioneers avoided the Badlands, but people have lived around this formation for a long time. Humans arrived in this area almost 11,000 years ago.
Sources: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badlands_National_Park
http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/badlands-national-park-ga2.htm
Badlands Climate
The temperature ranges from 116 F to -40 F. In the summer there are violent thunder storms and few tornadoes. In winters, there is usually 12 to 24 inches of snowfall. June is the wettest month in the Badlands. December and Janurary are the driest. Quick weather changes are very common.
Activities and Events
At Badlands National Park you could visit the fossil prep lab, hike a trail, enjoy the night sky or become a junior ranger. The fossil prep lab opened June 4, 2012. At the fossil lab, you find fossils and identify them. Some hiking trails are Door Trail, Window Trail, Notch Trail, and Castle Trail. Junior Rangers are kids that are "park rangers."
sources: http://www.nps.gov/badl/learn/news/the-saber-site-and-fossil-prep-lab-open-at-badlands.htm
Fascinating Facts
- There are over two hundred thousand acres of protected land at Badlands National Park.
- The largest undisturbed prairie is in Badlands National Park.
- The Black Footed Ferret lives in Badlands National Park.
- The White River is in Badlands National Park.
Association with Native Americans
The Native Americans used Badlands National Park as hunting grounds for eleven thousand years. The Indian reservation was taken over by our government. The native american's descendants now live in North Dakota. You can find arrow heads and other items that prove that Native Americans once lived there.
Source: http://www.us-parks.com/badlands-national-park/history.html