Point Pelee would like to give a big thank you to the crew from Pukaskwa National Park who helped out with the Lake Erie Sand Spit Savannah (LESSS) restoration project while they were at the park for a training session in October. The Pukaskwa crew’s work helped us complete more than 2.3 hectares of restoration this year!

And our species at risk including the Five Lined Skink and Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus thank you too for helping keep our savannah sunny!

About Lake Erie Sand Spit Savannah:

The term “Lake Erie Sand Spit Savannah” is used to describe the sand dunes, dune shrub-lands, savannahs, and sand barrens, generally found along the shoreline of Lake Erie’s major sand spit features.

Lake Erie Sand Spit Savannah at Point Pelee has three unique parts: Red Cedar Savannah (interior), Shoreline Savannah (coastal), and Woodland. Savannah is sandy, dry, nutrient poor, and open with just a few trees to provide a bit of shade. These conditions are perfect for a variety of grasses and wildflowers.

Lake Erie Sand Spit Savannah is extremely rare in Canada; there are only a few other places outside of Point Pelee National Park in which it is found.

How is Restoration Done?

Restoration is achieved using a variety of methods like mechanical clearing, prescribed fire, and herbicide application which mimics natural processes and helps control invasive and non-native species.

Restoration activities are timed to minimize disruption to wildlife. Work starts in September as staff prepare the sites and mechanical clearing continues later in the fall when most species have either migrated or are preparing to hibernate for the winter.

Learn more about LESSS here.

~ Images: Parks Canada