Fair Haven, NY — The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation today announced a comprehensive invasive species management and restoration initiative at Fair Haven Beach State Park. Supported by a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Sustain Our Great Lakes program, the project will protect recreational resources, restore natural processes, and improve wildlife habitat along Lake Ontario. 

Fair Haven Beach State Park welcomes nearly 185,000 visitors annually and provides habitat for several rare and threatened species. Previous restoration work from 2020–2022 achieved a 70 percent reduction in Japanese knotweed at priority sites, and this new initiative will build on that progress. 

OPRHP Acting Commissioner Kathy Moser said, “Fair Haven Beach State Park is home to remarkable natural diversity, from coastal dunes to rare wetland species. 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.” 

The project spans four major habitat types, including coastal dunes, bluffs, wetlands, and forested areas. Crews will survey nearly 500 acres and actively manage 318 acres, targeting many invasive plants including Japanese knotweed and water chestnut, with a long-term goal of reducing invasive cover to less than five percent by 2030. The $343,848 project is support by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation $210,646 grant as well as a state match of in-kind staff and volunteer time.    

Work begins spring 2026 and continues through 2027. Crews will remove woody vegetation from dune areas, relocate sand to restore dunes at Sterling Pond, treat invasive plants along coastal bluffs, and manually remove aquatic invasives from Sterling Pond and Sterling Creek. Native beachgrass and other plants will be installed afterward to stabilize soils and restore natural vegetation. 

Visitors may see crews working in various areas during the project. Facilities will remain open, though occasional temporary closures of specific trails or beach sections may occur during active treatment. 

Community members can get involved through volunteer water chestnut removal events hosted by the St. Lawrence Eastern Lake Ontario Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (SLELO PRISM) during summer months. For volunteer opportunities, visit sleloinvasives.org. 

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, and welcomes over 86 million visitors annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, the OPRHP Blog or via the OPRHP Newsroom.