Below is a registration form for anyone caring to register ahead of time. Come on out and bring a picnic lunch. Precipitation is an important factor in the development of the dune system. In the mountains above the dunes, precipitation supports streamflow that transports sand around the dunefield and recharges groundwater. Precipitation on the valley floor permits the growth of vegetation over most of the sand sheet and sabkha and isolated patches on the dunes.
Vegetation stabilizes the sand, preventing the wind from forming dunes.
The National Park Service has supported research efforts that project climatic conditions prior to 1951, when an official weather station was installed. Tree rings were analyzed to reconstruct an annual precipitation record from 1035 to 1997. Prior to that time period, the climate was still relatively dry, but conditions fluctuated much more than they do today. As for future weather patterns, we must wait to see what the 21st century has in store for us. Free lunch will be provided for all participants.