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Here are some things you can do on your own to raise awareness about dune ecosystems. Make sure you have landowner permission before you venture out onto the dunes. See also HOW TO WALK ON DUNES WITH LOW IMPACT. • PICK UP GARBAGE. Get friends together to clean up the beach. Let the local newspaper know about your project. Removing garbage improves habitat for many species. • GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURS and discuss the fragile nature of dunes. Neighbours working together can do a lot. See what neighbours on Manitoulin Island did at Sand Bay. • DESIGNATE A SINGLE TRAIL FOR ATVS that does minimal damage to dune vegetation. Make sure the trail is well marked. Block off all other trails and access that are not pubic right-of-ways. If possible, keep ATVs to the hard sand at the beach front. • PUT UP INFORMATIVE SIGNAGE telling beach users about the special features and fragile nature of dunes. • TALK WITH YOUR MUNICIPALITY about what can be done to protect shoreline areas.
HOW TO WALK ON DUNES WITH LOW IMPACT • Keep trampling from foot traffic to a minimum by staying on pre-existing trails. If you must leave the trail, or if there are no trails: • Walk slowly to prevent displacing sand and making deep foot prints.
Sand Bay is a location on western Manitoulin Island. Despite being a relatively small site, these dunes have an enormous population of Pitcher's thistle and other dune species at risk. Behind the dunes are several private cottages, owned by people who like their access to the beach and the beautiful view of Lake Huron. Although they don't consider themselves "tree-hugger" types, the cottagers were frustrated watching ATVs riding over the Sand Bay dunes, leaving tire tracks and crushing the plants and flowers. The riders were coming just to ride around on the dunes and were not people with property on the bay. One couple took the initiative and went to talk with the neighbouring cottagers about the situation. Neighbours got together and posted signs along the road through the subdivision at points where ATVs had been accessing the dunes across private property. The ATV problem at Sand Bay has nearly disappeared. The signs don't stop people from accessing the dunes nor barricade ATVs from entering, but they do show visitors that people right there care about the natural state of the dunes and that someone is watching—looking out for the beauty of the place. They also explain that the dunes are a special, natural ecosystem. The success of these signs is apparent in the huge numbers of Pitcher's thistle and great variety of dune species present at Sand Bay. The Sand Bay cottagers can walk down the beach and enjoy the peace and quiet and the flowers. All this from just a few words on a board.
Many groups work for the protection and rehabilitation of dunes. See our list of Field Naturalist and Provincial Park groups, as well as conservation, property owner and stewardship groups below: Click here to find out more about FIELD NATURALIST GROUPS PROVINCIAL PARKS Several important dune ecosystems are located in provincial or national parks. Parks rely greatly on volunteers to help with monitoring and many other projects. To get involved, contact: Friends of Awenda Provincial Park
Friends of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy
PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATIONS Federation of Tiny Township Shoreline Associations Southhampton Residents Association Port Elgin Saugeen Twp Beachers Organization STEWARDSHIP ORGANIZATIONS Bruce Resource Stewardship Network
OTHER GROUPS
Author of www.pitchersthistle.ca: Jarmo Jalava, 2005 If you have any questions about the website, please email us. |
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