Lanphere Dunes facts for kids
The Lanphere Dunes National Natural Landmark is a very special natural area. It is located in Humboldt County, California. This landmark is part of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The area has many different types of land. These include sandy dunes, forests, and various kinds of swamps and marshes. It shows how different natural environments can grow and change over time.
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History of Lanphere Dunes
The Wiyot people lived in this area for a long time. Then, in the 1930s, William and Hortense Lanphere made it their home. They took great care of the dunes for about 40 years. They kept the area almost untouched.
In 1975, the Lanpheres and professors from Humboldt State University wanted to protect the dunes forever. The university used the area for botany classes. They worked with an organization called The Nature Conservancy. Together, they helped protect the area. It was then given to the National Wildlife Refuge System to manage.
Today, the main goal is to keep out plants that don't belong there. These are called invasive plants. They also work to bring back the natural processes of the dunes and wetlands. In January 2021, the Lanphere Dunes and Ma-le’l Dunes became National Natural Landmarks. This was a big step for protecting these important places.
Plants and Animals of Lanphere Dunes
Unique Plants
The Lanphere Dunes are home to many rare plants. Some plants found here are not common in other places. Two plants are even listed as federally endangered species. These are the Humboldt Bay wallflower and the beach layia.
Other rare plants include Pink sand-verbena and Humboldt Bay owl's clover. You can also find Point Reyes bird’s-beak and dark-eyed gilia. The American glehnia and western sand spurrey are here too. Don't forget the sea-watch plant. Other plants like Kinnikinnick and reindeer lichen also grow here.
Many plants and lichens in the dunes are very old. Some, like the reindeer lichens, have been here since the Ice Age. Sometimes, ocean winds blow sand into the forests. This can kill trees and leave behind "skeleton forests." These are areas with many dead tree trunks.
American Dunegrass used to be common along the West Coast. Now, it grows in only two places in California. One of these is the Lanphere Dunes. However, European Beachgrass is an invasive plant. It took over many areas where native grasses used to grow.
From 1992 to 1997, workers removed the European Beachgrass by hand. This was a big restoration project. After they started, native plants grew much more. Their cover increased by 47% without needing new plants to be put in.
Native dune grasses are making a comeback. These include American dunegrass and silver bursage. Beach morning glory (Convolvulus soldanella) and dune tansy are also returning. These grasses together form the important fore dune ecosystem. This ecosystem was once widespread along the coast.
Animals of Lanphere Dunes
The Lanphere Dunes provide a safe home for many animals. Larger animals like black-tailed deer live here. You might also see bobcats and mountain lions. Grey foxes and porcupines also call this place home.
Smaller mammals are also found here. These include the dusky-footed woodrat and white-footed deer mouse. The Pacific jumping mouse and California harvest mouse live here too. You can find different kinds of shrews, like the Trowbridge shrew and Vagrant shrews. Shrew moles and California voles are present. The rare white-footed vole and Botta’s pocket gopher also live in the dunes.
Animals like coyotes, gray foxes, Virginia opossums, and raccoons are very adaptable. They can be found in many different parts of the refuge.
