| Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park | |
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Flyover of the sand dunes |
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| Location | Saskatchewan |
| Nearest city | None - access by float plane |
| 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]
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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]