Fistral Dunes Factoids
Sand dune systems are so dynamic and there are some amazing facts about them. Did you know?…
Marram Grass
Marram grass is vital for stabilising our dunes. It’s long, fibrous, matted roots binds the sand together and helps to prevent our wild Cornish weather blowing it away. Its clever leaf design helps prevent water loss too. So please don’t trample on it đ
Why protect sand dunes?
Sand dunes protect inland areas from swells, tides, and winds, they must be protected and defended to not only protect their own delicate ecosystem and wildlife but the local coastal communities; in Fistral’s instance, the gold club, surrounding hotels and businesses and residential areas surrounding Fistral Beach.
Fistral dunes species
Some of the species currently identified on Fistral dunes include (but not excluded to):
Sea buckthorn, bramble (blackberry), field bindweed, mint, wild carrot, common mallow, iris species, hottentot fig, crocosmia, common ragwort. Animals include: Bee sp (Apis), Orb weaver (Araneidae), Silver Y (Autographa gamma), European Peacock (Aglais io), Red Admiral (Vanessa atlanta), Large white (Pierris brassicae), Cricket (Gryllidae), Herring gull (Larus argentatus), Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola).
What Are We Up To?
Biodiversity
To make Fistral Dunes a valuable local community asset and a diverse habitat. The role the dunes play in providing important biologically diverse habitats cannot be easily recreated elsewhere. There are lots of different species of flora and fauna that are specifically adapted to the unique environment sand dunes create; some are common, some rare and some invasive all of which need conserving, protecting and managing.
Community
Friends of Fistral Dunes (FFD) is a local community group made up of local individuals and community organisations; these include Newquay Marine Group, Land and Sea Cornwall CIC, Cornwall Council (landowner of the dunes) and local stakeholders. It is a fully collaborative, community project and anyone interested in volunteering and joining are welcome to join.
Natural History
To promote knowledge of all aspects of Fistral Dunes, particularly the natural history and ecology. The dunes also provide access to the sea for residents and visitors alike, which is vital to the holiday industry upon which a significant proportion of Cornwallâs economy depends. It is paramount people understand the delicate nature of the dunes by learning its natural history and importance so as a collective, we can all help protect them.
Restoration
In recent years, it has become increasingly obvious that Fistralâs dunes are experiencing erosion and sediment loss, perhaps at a rate not seen before. This is partly to do with the weather, partly to do with the duneâs dynamic ecosystem and partly to do with human activity. It is critically important that we rehabilitate and help restore them. The dunes have a role in providing protection against the risk of coastal flooding due to the dynamic nature of beachâdune interactions and their sheer size preventing the sea from impacting upon the hinterland behind them.
Conservation
As part of our efforts, we will be managing invasive species such as sea buckthorn to allow native species such as marram grass to thrive and stabilise the sand in identified areas requiring support. We will also be working alongside other environmental groups to help eradicate litter.
Management Plan
To advise and assist in the management of Fistral Dunes in accordance with the Cornwall Beach and Dune Management Plan 2016.To support and encourage all stakeholders, user groups and organisations with an interest in Fistral dunes to devise a wider dune management plan for the future.
Some of Our Work
FFD has decided to step in to manage the dunes as they have had very little effective and holistic management in recent years. As one of Britainâs most iconic beaches, we feel we must act before Fistralâs dunes are lost.
This will be an ongoing project. We aim to hold various volunteer days to tackle different points of management for the dunes. Stay tuned on social media, join our email list to keep up to date and keep an eye on our ‘Events’ section on our website.
