Great Sand Dunes National Park acquires 9,000+ acres from The Nature Conservancy

MOSCA, Colo. (KRDO) -- Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and National Park Service Director Chuck Sams were in Colorado on Thursday to celebrate the transfer of 9,362 acres from The Nature Conservancy to Great Sand Dunes National Park.

The 9,000+ acres were previously part of the Medano Ranch, which borders the park to the south.

According to the Department of the Interior (DOI), the acquisition was made possible through funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The LWCF was established by Congress in 1964 to fulfill a bipartisan commitment to safeguard natural areas, water resources and cultural heritage, and to provide recreation opportunities to all Americans. The Great American Outdoors Act authorized permanent funding of LWCF at $900 million annually to improve recreational opportunities on public lands, protect watersheds and wildlife, and preserve ecosystem benefits for local communities.

The DOI said this enhancement of the national park will allow for more holistic management as a connected landscape and provides long-term protection areas that contribute to the formation of the dune field. 

“Great Sand Dunes and The Nature Conservancy have built a model for collaboration that will help guarantee that future generations have access to this special place,” said Secretary Haaland. “This acquisition underscores the central role that locally led conservation efforts play in the Biden-Harris administration’s America the Beautiful initiative and our ongoing efforts to conserve, connect and restore public lands and waters.”

Find more information on this acquisition here: Great Sand Dunes National Park Land Acquisition

Find more information on Great Sand Dunas National Park here: Great Sand Dunes