Refuge personnel responded by sculpting sand with bulldozers to form a protective dune line. Now one million stems of beach grass are being planted along 2.5 miles of dune. The grass is dormant now but in the spring it will begin to grow and send out an extensive root system which will help to anchor the dune. Not only will this grass help prevent erosion of the dunes but it will also help build up the dunes by collecting and holding wind-blown sand. Because of all the enthusiastic help from volunteers, the goal of planting I million stems before April is well on its way to being a reality.
More volunteers are always welcome.
Leslie Morton CNWR Asst.