Grand Sable Dunes Research Natural Area

Due to its exceptional features, a portion of the Grand Sable Dunes was designated a Research Natural Area (RNA) in 1994. Research Natural Areas are part of a national network of field ecological areas in ecosystems with very limited public use or disturbance. They are designated for research and education, and to maintain biological diversity. The Grand Sable Dunes RNA offers a pristine environment for scientific study of climate change, lake level history, coastal land-forms, soil development, rare plant communities, and vegetation succession.