In 2006, local members of the Washington Native Plant Society (WNPS), which had been meeting in the PTMSC Natural History Exhibit, noticed that foot traffic in the park was having an adverse impact on the native dune vegetation of the Point Wilson Spit.

They approached the State Park for permission to carry out a restoration plan that would protect the remarkable community of plants and lichens growing there.

The plan was approved and the group obtained some small grants to cover the cost of materials for the project.

The work has involved redirecting traffic away from impacted areas to designated trails and laying down jute fabric to stabilize the sand and help trampled areas recover.

Before long, native plants were growing back through the fabric, which will eventually break down and disappear.

Other work has involved removing invasive non-native vegetation from the area. This work continues, and the group could use the help of volunteers in their scheduled work parties.

You can read more about this project in an article on the WNPS website, or you you can contact Sharon Schlentner at sschlentner@waypoint.com.