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Middlesex Beach Association Dune Grass Planting Saturday, March 29, 2008; 9AM - ?? Sign Up Here

What is Dune Grass? DNREC Dune Grass Planting Info Dune Protection and Improvement

Since 1990, each spring volunteers have planted dune grass up and down the coastline in the State of Delaware. Stabilized sand dunes are a critical part of a healthy beach-they provide a storage place for sand that would otherwise blow inland or become washed away during storms. Beach grass helps the natural building process-the stalks knock down sand as it blows around, and the root structure eventually forms a dense mesh that helps to hold the dunes in place during storms. Dune grass stalks are quite brittle, and can easily be damaged by people stepping on them. Each year, DNREC (Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control) provides dune grass free of charge to public beaches. As a private beach, Middlesex Beach is ineligible to receive this handout. However, Middlesex Beach (hopefully) has the other key ingredient in planting dune grass-VOLUNTEERS. The process is quite simple, and works best if done by teams of two: poke a stick or tool into the sand about 8" deep insert 2 stalks into the hole about 8" down remove the stick or tool step on the sand around the stalks to eliminate air voids in the sand move 18" to the side repeat 19,999 times. Yes, 19,999 times. Figuring that the beach is about 1700 feet long, and the width of the dunes to be planted is about 25 feet, with rows 18" apart, in staggered columns about 18" apart, one arrives at about 20,000 individual plantings. What kind of tool is needed?

The tool can be just a stick; while a 1 x 2 might be a bit narrow, a 1 x 3 would be about right. Pointed sticks work better than flat edged sticks. Unless you're one of those people who are getting younger, long sticks are probably easier on your back than short ones; a 4' stick is probably about right, depending on how tall you are. If you want to get imaginative, put a cross piece on it, and make a handle. Put a mark on it 18" from one end. As far as a real tool, probably something on the order of a spade (at left) would be ideal. A D-handled shovel (right) would work quite well.

What else is needed? Work gloves are HIGHLY recommended. A cooler stocked with your family's favorite beverage (alas, this is a morning project) If you're ocean-front, put your stereo speakers on the deck, and turn 'em up! What will the MBA provide? An opportunity to help out your community. Dune Grass (from Cape Farms in Lewes, DE) some sticks What do I do, and where? NOW: sign up via this webpage so we have some idea of the turnout Between NOW and THEN: check back on the MBA website THEN: Meet on Dune Road-there will be a sign posted on the Guard House. The plants should be delivered that week, and will be brought to the beach. Why aren't we just paying someone to do this for us? You'll get a chance to catch up with neighbors you haven't seen since last fall. It will teach younger members of the community that maintaining the dunes is a difficult but necessary process, and hopefully they'll think twice before tresspassing on the dunes this summer. It'll be fun...trust me... What if it rains? We'll get wet. This is the beach.

This Page: http://www.middlesexbeach.org/beach/beach/dunegrass.htm; last update: 2/29/08.