Talk with scientists and land stewards, enjoy guided dune walks and learn simple, local actions that help protect coastal dunes during Dune Discovery and Stewardship Day, Friday, Sept. 11 from noon to 6 p.m. at the Lafayette Park Community Center on Minnesota Point in Duluth.
Visitors can explore activity stations and talk with specialists from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, University of Minnesota – Duluth, city of Duluth and nonprofit organizations. Lafayette Park features accessible boardwalks. Guided walks will take place throughout the event.
The coastal dune plant communities of Minnesota Point are unique in the state. Their rarity makes them especially important to protect and preserve. Several rare plant species find a home there, including American beachgrass, which helps build and stabilize the dunes that support the dune ecosystem.
“Caring for Minnesota Point’s dunes is something we share. Whether you live nearby, visit, or work along the shore, easy but important actions help this rare ecosystem endure, so it can keep delivering natural benefits, from buffering wind and waves to supporting native plants and wildlife,” DNR Regional Plant Ecologist Karen Updegraff said.
How to help protect the dune ecosystem:
- Stay on designated paths and boardwalks and avoid stepping on vegetation. Protecting the plant cover that holds the dunes together is critical to the health of this dynamic yet fragile ecosystem.
- Report and help manage invasive plants. Staff will share easy ways to spot species of concern and how to avoid spreading them.
- Choose yard and landscaping practices that support dune vegetation. Properly handle yard waste and use the guidance provided for dune-friendly plantings.
Individuals with a disability who wish to request a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event should contact Julie McDonnell by noon Friday, Aug. 28, by email at [email protected], by phone at 218-834-1443 or via telecommunications relay service.
The Dune Stewardship Initiative is a collaborative effort to support and strengthen stewardship of the dunes on Minnesota Point. Find more information on the Dune Stewardship Initiative webpage.