Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness

Infobox_protected_area | name = Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness
iucn_category = Ib

---

caption =
locator_x = 79
locator_y = 103
location = New Mexico, USA
nearest_city = Huerfano, New Mexico
lat_degrees = 36
lat_minutes = 18
lat_seconds = 16
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 108
long_minutes = 07
long_seconds = 05
long_direction = W
area = convert|45000|acre|km2|0|sing=off
established = 1984
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
governing_body = Bureau of Land Management

The Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness is a convert|45000|acre|km2|0|sing=on wilderness area located in San Juan County in the U.S. state of New Mexico. Established in 1984, the Wilderness is a desolate area of steeply eroded badlands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, with the exception of three parcels of private Navajo land within its boundaries. [http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=NWPS&sec=wildView&wname=Bisti/De-Na-Zin Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness] - Wilderness.net]

Translated from the Navajo language, Bisti means "a large area of shale hills." De-Na-Zin takes its name from the Navajo words for "cranes." Petroglyphs of cranes have been found south of the Wilderness. [http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/wilderness/bisti.html Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness] - BLM]

Prehistory

The area that includes the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness was once covered by an ancient sea, the Western Interior Seaway. As the water slowly receded, prehistoric animals survived on the lush foliage that grew along the many riverbanks. When the water disappeared it left behind a 1,400-foot-thick (427 m) layer of jumbled sandstone, mudstone, shale, and coal that lay undisturbed for 50 million years. 6,000 years ago the last ice age receded, exposing fossils and petrified wood, and eroding the rock into the hoodoos now visible.

Humans have occupied the area almost continuously since 10,000 BC. The area contains numerous Chacoan sites and part of the prehistoric Great North Road, used to connect major Chacoan Anasazi sites in the San Juan Basin. [ [http://nm.audubon.org/iba/ibawriteups/bisti.html Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness] - New Mexico Audubon Society]

Wildlife

A small variety of wildlife can be found in the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, including cottontail rabbit, coyote, badger, and prairie dog. Bird species include pinyon jay, raven, quail, dove, ferruginous hawk, prairie falcon, and golden eagle. Lizard, snake, tarantula, and scorpion also live here.

Recreation

Recreational activities in the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness include hiking, camping, wildlife viewing, photography, and horseback riding. Campfires are forbidden in the Wilderness.

References

ee also

*List of U.S. Wilderness Areas
*Wilderness Act
*Chaco Culture National Historical Park

External links

* [http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/wilderness/bisti.html Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness] - Bureau of Land Management
* [http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=NWPS&sec=wildView&wname=Bisti/De-Na-Zin Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness] - Wilderness.net
* [http://nm.audubon.org/iba/ibawriteups/bisti.html Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness] - New Mexico Audubon Society
* [http://www.hanksville.org/voyage/misc/bisti.html Bisti Wilderness] - Hanksville.org