Dune Restoration Plan Is Working

Posted November 16th 2020

In 2009, the Borough of Avalon embarked on a Dune Vegetation Management Plan through an agreement with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The pilot project led to the restoration of nearly half the borough’s dune system in the past 10 years. Recently, the project continued with plans to thin out invasive Japanese black pine trees, which helped the recovery of native vegetation along the beach paths between 44th and 50th streets.

The Japanese black pine was introduced to the dunes many years ago with unintended consequences, and recently have led to the infestation of bark beetles that carry blue stain fungus, causing the trees to rapidly decline and die.

The Dune Vegetation Management Plan is an integral part of the Borough’s Community Forestry Management Plan. Since its implementation, the plan has succeeded in the recovery of a variety of native vegetation, and has become a model for implementation in other communities.

“Avalon has a longstanding commitment to ecological diversity and protection of our dune system that provides numerous benefits to the borough,” said Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “The recent implementation of this grant had proven results, and we will continue to make best decisions based on science and reliable guidance.”

The Dune Vegetation Management Plan continues for any beachfront property owner who wishes to participate, and the borough will continually seek financial and science partnerships to improve the ecological diversity in the dunes and elsewhere. For more information on the environmental assets in the Avalon dune system, visit avalonduneandbeachtrail.com.