Michigan’s west coast is home to 275,000 acres of freshwater dunes – the largest collection of its kind in the world. Stretching across hundreds of miles of protected shoreline, these sand-swept landscapes are more than just a view.

Architecture of the dunes
How does a mountain of sand stay in place? It’s all thanks to native grasses.

• Dunes are unique ecosystems held together by native species like marram grass. By using their roots to anchor the sand against high Lake Michigan winds, these plants act as a natural defense, significantly reducing coastal erosion.
• These grasses take up to 7 years to reach maturity.
• By gripping the earth, these plants shield the shoreline from high Lake Michigan winds and significantly reduce coastal erosion.

Important interdunal ponds
Nestled between dune peaks lie shallow interdunal ponds, which serve as vital habitats for several specialized species.

• The Fowler’s toad, reaching the northernmost limit of its range in Michigan, depends on the sun to warm these pools for its eggs.
• These wetlands act as essential stopover sites for millions of migratory birds. Each spring, a vast avian corridor forms along Michigan’s west coast, where birds rely on these unique ecosystems for both sustenance and rest.