90% of coastal dunes in Oregon have been altered

With more than 1,415 signatures on our petition to ban European Beachgrass in Oregon it's clear the public supports action!

Yet, it seems we need more signatures before the state will recognize the need to ban this invasive species and start the process of returning our coastline to a more natural state. The continued practice of allowing European Beachgrass goes against the current Oregon Conservation Strategy: 

Coastal dune communities have been altered dramatically through the introduction and spread of non-native European beachgrass, which outcompetes native vegetation and stabilizes foredunes. The stabilized foredunes block movement of sand inland and artificially accelerate plant succession toward shrubland and forest. Dunes artificially stabilized by European beachgrass have contributed to commercial and residential development of sandy habitats that were once naturally active, moving systems. In Oregon, approximately 90 percent of coastal dunes have been altered from their natural state since 1850.

Species that live in coastal dune habitats prefer open, sandy habitats with a high degree of disturbance from winds and tides. Strategy Species associated with coastal dunes include Western Snowy Plover, pink sandverbena, and Wolf’s evening primrose.

Read more about the Oregon Conservation Strategy: https://www.oregonconservationstrategy.org/strategy-habitat/coastal-dunes/

Continue to spread the word about the need to ban the use of European Beachgrass along the Oregon Coast!