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Resources | Beaches and Dunes
FUN FACTS
Only 2-3% of Lake Huron's shoreline is sand beach and dunes.
A mature dune is valued at $3,000 CAD/ linear metre for its services of shore protection,
water filtration, and sand drifting prevention.
Coastal dune systems are considered to be among the most fragile ecological features in North America. Great Lakes dune systems in Ontario, due to their extreme rarity and ecological fragility, have been suggested
to be of national significance.
PUBLICATIONS & FACT SHEETS
Beach Conservation:
Beach and Dune Species:
INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS
PROPERLY ACCESSING THE BEACH: PATHWAYS
There is a right and wrong way to design beach access through freshwater dunes. This video describes important considerations for creating and maintaining good beach access, including shape, size and orientation.
THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTHY DUNES
Beach-dune shorelines are the most diverse ecosystem in the Great Lakes Basin. They are also the most vulnerable to human pressures. This video introduces the topic of dune conservation and outlines some of the ways beach-dune ecosystems can be protected and restored.
PRINCIPLES OF SAND FENCING
Sand fencing is commonly used to manage blowing sand on beaches along freshwater shorelines in the Great Lakes. Proper positioning and installation can make a big difference in how effective sand fencing is. This video outlines the principles of using sand fencing.
HARVESTING AND PLANTING MARRAM GRASS
Marram Grass is the pioneer plant on a beach. It is a tough plant that is able to endure the harsh conditions of a fresh water shoreline. It is commonly used to restore dunes because of its ability to capture blowing sand and stabilize a dune. This video describes how to properly harvest and plant Marram Grass.
INVASIVE SPECIES IN BEACHES AND DUNES
Invasive species are a constant threat to beach-dune ecosystems. Shoreline residents can do well to learn how to ID aggressive invasive species in their early stages so that the plant can be quickly removed before it establishes and takes over a beach area. This video introduces the topic of invasive plants on beaches.
SAND BEACHES AND DUNES ON LAKE HURON
These ecosystems are some of the most highly visited areas on Lake Huron's coast! But they only make up 2-3% of the overall shoreline. Let's learn about the threats these ecosystems experience and the unique animals that call these coastal ecosystems home.
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