Posted on March 2, 2026
Crews will begin restoring nearly 500 acres of shoreline, wetlands and forest at Fair Haven Beach State Park this spring in a new push to curb invasive species and rebuild fragile Lake Ontario habitat.
State parks officials said the two-year project will target dunes, bluffs, wetlands and wooded areas across the Cayuga County park, which draws about 185,000 visitors each year.
The $343,848 effort includes a $210,646 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Sustain Our Great Lakes program, along with state staff and volunteer support.
Crews plan to survey nearly 500 acres and actively manage 318 acres. The goal is to cut invasive plant cover to less than 5 percent by 2030.
Workers will focus on species such as Japanese knotweed and water chestnut. Previous restoration from 2020 to 2022 reduced Japanese knotweed by 70 percent at priority sites, according to state parks.
At Sterling Pond, crews will remove woody vegetation from dunes and relocate sand to rebuild eroded areas. Along coastal bluffs, workers will treat invasive plants. Crews will also manually remove aquatic invasive species from Sterling Pond and Sterling Creek.
After removal work, staff will plant native beachgrass and other vegetation to stabilize soil and restore natural growth.
“Fair Haven Beach State Park is home to remarkable natural diversity, from coastal dunes to rare wetland species,” Acting Commissioner Kathy Moser said. “This restoration effort will help safeguard these vital habitats, ensuring they remain resilient for wildlife and welcoming to the thousands of visitors who return year after year.”
Work begins in spring and continues through 2027. Park facilities will remain open, though crews may temporarily close sections of trails or beach areas during active treatment.
Volunteers can help remove water chestnut during summer events organized by the St. Lawrence Eastern Lake Ontario Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management.
