Map by Washington Trails Association, 2025.
Changing Coastlines
From Cape Disappointment to the Quinault River, coastal sand dune and strand communities dominate Washington's coastline. In the early twentieth century, European and American beachgrasses (Ammophila spp.), both non- native to the Pacific coast of North America, were introduced to stabilize dunes and allow for development along the coastline. After this initial introduction, they quickly colonized the coast, dramatically changing successional pathways. These shifting-sand dominated communities that support a suite of coastal-dependent wildlife and plant species, while once vast, have been compressed into very narrow strands. Predictably, multiple species have become imperiled as their habitat has dwindled.
Leadbetter Point: A Legacy Ecosystem
Leadbetter Point, at the northernmost end of Long Beach Peninsula in Pacific County, is the largest undeveloped coastal dune system remaining in Washington State. The Willapa National Wildlife Refuge manages the northern 2800 acres, while Leadbetter Point State Park encompasses 1700 acres to the south. Historically, Leadbetter Point supported two federally listed threatened species – western snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) and streaked horned lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata), and two state listed endangered species – pink sand verbena (Abronia umbellata) and bear's foot sanicle (Sanicula arctopoides) as well as the North Pacific Maritime Coastal Sand Dune and Strand natural community. These species have either been lost completely from the State Park portion of the site, or their habitat severely restricted. As of today, all of the above species except bear's foot sanicle persist on the refuge.
View of Leadbetter dunes in September. Jared Shorten 2025.
Our Work: Restoring Diversity and Function
Ecostudies Institute has been contracted by Washington State Parks to develop and enact a restoration plan to increase habitat for snowy plovers and restore coastal dune ecosystem processes. Well-timed herbicide treatments, mechanical invasive species removal, prescribed fire and native plant establishment are methods being utilized to achieve our restoration objectives. ESI collaborates with Washington State Parks and other local organizations to share knowledge and adapt management plans in a unique, rapidly changing ecosystem.
Leymus mollis, american dunegrass, at Leadbetter. Tessa O'Grady 2025.
Abronia umbellata, pink sand verbena. Tessa O'Grady 2025.
ESI Fire Crew conducting a prescribed burn on the Leadbetter dunes. Shawn Ryan 2024.
Abronia latifolia, yellow sand verbena. Andrew Smith 2025.
