This sand anchorage allows a community of plants to become established in the trough area behind the beach dune. Frequently, one or more smaller dunes form to the rear, such as the one which supports Seaside Avenue. Along the walkway to the beach, the visitor may observe patches of beach pea and beach heather, plants which are quite tolerant to salt spray. These pioneers help to build up the fertility of the sand and allow other plants to become established. Plants common tot his area include bayberry, sweetfern and poison ivy.
Goldenrod is a common visitor to the sands.
Hardy as the plant and animal community of the beach may seem, the visitor should be aware of several interesting facts. Dune grass, though coarse to the touch, is easily destroyed under foot. Without this growth, the dunes would vanish and inland areas subjected to the onslaughts of the ocean. The open sands behind the beach dunes are potential nesting sites for the least tern and the piping plover. Both of these ocean birds lay their eggs in the open sand, and are extremely vulnerable to destruction.