Nestled within a forested area of Ottawa, the Pinhey Sand Dune is now just one percent of a vast prehistoric sand system that once stretched across the region some 10,000 years ago. Over 13 years, Dr. Phuoc and his team worked to remove forest cover, reintroduce sand, and gradually restore native dune species. The project has reestablished a once-lost habitat and significantly contributed to biodiversity in the area.

Chairman of the World Biodiversity Conservation Association, Dr. Dang Trung Phuoc noted that sand dunes are often overlooked as “just a pile of sand.” In fact, they support highly specialized ecosystems. The inland dune in Ottawa differs greatly from coastal dunes and is believed to date back to the prehistoric era. Today, restoration is underway as part of a phased conservation program.

Dune habitats are essential for many threatened species, yet they are increasingly at risk. With a scientific approach, Dr. Phuoc and his colleagues transformed what was once ordinary forest into a rare ecological zone now recognized by local authorities and communities as a valuable geological and educational site.

Griffin Wright-Brown, an urban environment researcher at the University of Ottawa, explained that many rare insects, arthropods, and nearly extinct plant species had been driven out by afforestation efforts. The team restored the habitat by planting native wildflowers suited to sandy soil. As a result, several beetle species, once listed as extinct in Ontario, have returned and now thrive across the dune. What was once a dying ecosystem is now a vibrant refuge.

The dune has become a living outdoor laboratory, attracting students from elementary to university level. Pinhey Sand Dune is now widely known across Canada, drawing visitors from coast to coast who come to experience its unique natural landscape.

Andrew Mott, project development commissioner for the site, said it is rare to find a place so well suited to environmental education right in the capital. Without early intervention in the 2010s, the dune might have disappeared. The local government has supported the project, including paying for school buses to bring thousands of students to the site each year. University students from institutions such as the University of Ottawa and Carleton University also conduct research and fieldwork here.

Today, the dune remains under the stewardship of Dr. Phuoc and his team, who are working to expand restoration efforts and safeguard this ecosystem for future generations.

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