Most of the beach grasses you see on the Oregon and Washington coastlines are not native—they were planted to stabilize the dunes to support human development, which has had unintended consequences for the native ecosystems that depended on shifting sands. Will Ritchie, recently retired US Fish and Wildlife Service biologist, will share how the Leadbetter Point coastal habitat restoration project has made strides in removing and controling invasive Ammophila beachgrass with the goal of increasing streaked horned lark and western snowy plover populations.

The February 26th Nature Matters presentation takes place at 7 p.m. in the Lovell Taproom at the Fort George Brewery. The event is free and open to the public. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for those wanting to purchase dinner or beverages before the event. 

Nature Matters, a lively conversation about the intersection of nature and culture, takes place on the fourth Thursday of each month from October through May. Nature Matters is hosted by Lewis and Clark National Historical Park in partnership with the North Coast Watershed Association, the Lewis & Clark National Park Association, and the Fort George Brewery + Public House.