In managing the Headlands Dunes preserve, I do assess all aspects prior to taking any action. I have been monitoring the tree line along Fisherman’s trail for the past several years and have noticed that the trees are becoming taller and slowly encroaching further west into the back dune area. Many of the trees are non-native invasive species including Autumn Olive and European Buckthorn. Eastern Cottonwoods also pose a threat and provide a continuous seed supply into the preserve. The shade produced by the canopy is a threat to the native dune grasses.  The area beneath these trees does not support the dune grasses: only catnip and honeysuckle are able to survive under the heavy canopy.   

I do understand the importance of the birding habitat and I am committed to maintaining and protecting it as much as possible without causing a negative impact upon the dune grasses.  First and foremost in my assessment each year is the protection of the native dune vegetation. Headlands Dunes houses a very unique and very rare habitat type along Lake Erie, a mere remnant that has managed to survive erosion and development. The rarity and scarceness of this habitat make it extremely important to maintain the area as dune grasses and not let it succeed into forest area. The open grasses are habitat for many critters including prairie grass avian species. The wooded areas of the preserve contain many invasives, including honeysuckle, left specifically for the birds. The break wall trees provide a corridor for the birds and will remain as such (aside from Buckthorn removal) as the shade created by those trees does not reach the west side of Fisherman’s trail and is not a present threat to the dune grasses. Additionally, forest habitat is abundant in the nearby Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve and the Mentor Lagoons: both sites provide trails and year round birding opportunities.   

It is difficult to maintain a site with two very different objectives: native dune grasses and trees do not go together and I am trying to maintain both habitat types for the benefit of birds and rare dune habitat. The preserve is to be legally preserved as a lake shore dune community and management techniques may be implemented to maintain it as such if the area is threatened by natural or unnatural forces. The preservation of beach pea, beach grass, purple sand grass, and switch grass and other coastal vegetation is the primary goal written in the management plan for the Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve. I hope this brief explanation enlightens you to aspects of the Headlands Dunes preserve that you may not have considered in the past. 

Additional information on the preserve can be found on the following Division website: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/dnap/location/headlands.html

Also on this webpage is a link to a page detailing invasive plant information: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/dnap/invasive/lakeeriefights.htm