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Central & Western: Eastern Lake Ontario Dunes and Wetlands
 Clickable map |
Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
This is New York's only freshwater barrier beach ecosystem. Its dunes and beaches, marshes, fens and swamps support migrating shorebirds, waterfowl, raptors, songbirds, spawning fish and rare plants.
Threats
Regulation of Lake Ontario's water levels has impacted dune formation and the composition of vegetation in the wetlands behind the dune system. Residential development activities have also destroyed dune habitats and increased nutrient levels in wetlands and waterways.
Plants
On the dunes: Champlain beachgrass, dune willow, sand cherry, and eastern cottonwood
In the wetlands: Cattails, sweet gale, leatherleaf, Dragon's mouth orchid and rush aster
Animals
Bog buckmoth, black tern, northern harrier, waterfowl, spotted turtle, spawning fish and migratory birds
Our Conservation Strategy
Local volunteers and community partners work to restore eroded dunes at Sandy Pond Beach by planting native beach grass
© S. Bonanno
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Educating and reaching out to beachgoers to inform them how they can enjoy their visit to the area's spectacular beaches without disturbing wildlife or eroding dune systems.
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Protecting land to acquire critical tracts.
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Conducting research to understand the impacts that water level regulation in Lake Ontario has had on wetlands and dune systems.
Conservation Actions
Since 2002, The Nature Conservancy has teamed up with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, NY State Office of Parks, and New York Sea Grant on a six-person dune steward program to inform beachgoers how to enjoy their visit without harming dunes or sensitive birds. We also acquired an important shoreline property of native dunes that abut a one-mile expanse of undeveloped barrier beach initially acquired by the Conservancy in 1995. In 2002, we were appointed to two International Joint Commission technical committees that review the environmental effects of Lake Ontario water level regulation.
How to Visit
The Nature Conservancy's El Dorado Preserve is located within this site.
Are you a college student looking for the opportunity to make a difference in a unique and fragile ecosystem as a dune steward?
Partners
Do you want to be a dune steward?
Check with Mary Penney at New York Sea Grant for information about applying for the program. Mary can be reached at mp357@cornell.edu.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Office of Parks, New York State Department of State, U.S. EPA, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Oswego County, Hobart & William Smith Colleges, NY Sea Grant, Ontario Dune Coalition, Friends of Sandy Pond Beach, towns of Sandy Creek, Richland, and Ellisburg, John Ben Snow Foundation, Great Lakes Protection Fund, Rothenberg Family Foundation
Learn More from Our Partners
