The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has started a project to restore the natural dune system at Bastendorff Beach near North Bend and Coos Bay The project includes removal of the invasive European Beachgrass.
“We’re making this effort to get those weeds taken care of so we can start introducing some of the plants that used to grow in the area,” said Megan Harper, BLM spokesperson, to KVAL news.
European Beachgrass changes the dune morphology and allows other plants species to establish and cause further harm to the ecosystem. BLM efforts include a project at the Oregon Dunes and at Humboldt Bay.
BLM’s work is worth noting because the agency, and other federal agencies, provide grants for ecosystem restoration, including the removal of invasive species to restore natural dune ecosystems.
While the BLM is working with local groups to remove European Beachgrass from Bastendorff Beach, the State of Oregon still allows planting the invasive species on its coast.
Oregon needs to follow BLM's lead!
- Ban the use of European Beachgrass in Oregon.
- Start the effort to remove the grass from our fragile coastline and restore the ecosystem to allow the natural processes and our native plants and animals to return.
Share our petition today!