Sand dunes are a crucial aspect to any beach. They offer protection to our coastline from detrimental erosion caused by storm surges and massive waves due to large storm systems, which are very common along the eastern coastline. Besides protection, these sand dunes also serve as homes to wildlife and pose as a huge ecosystem to our beaches!
With all this said, the Florida Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, along with Duval, St. Johns, and Flagler county all plan to fund a massive rebuild of the dunes along our prestigious east coast. This rebuild is scheduled to begin in the fall months of 2021; after the weather goes dormant to avoid a reverse in progress, when our beaches are significantly less populated due to cooler weather, and the new vegetation requires minimal watering. The goal of the FEMA dune enhancement project is to rebuild over 20 miles of our shoreline that has been damaged due to past storms our coast has endured. The project’s location will span from northern Ponte Vedra beach all the way to Summer Haven, which is south of the beaches you would come to enjoy while staying with us at Beacher’s Lodge.
What to Expect
Don’t sweat it! If you plan on staying with us at Beacher’s Lodge, according to FEMA your experience will be uninterrupted as they plan on keeping the beaches open to the public throughout the duration of the project. Also your view of the beaches will not be touched, as the new dune builds will be no higher than the existing dune crests, leaving all visitors and homeowners with an uninterrupted view of our beautiful coastline.
How the Dunes Are Rebuilt and Why They Are So Valuable
The process of rebuilding sand dunes is lengthy and depends largely upon the growth of new vegetation. To rebuild a sand dune, new vegetation native to our coast is planted, such as sea oats or panicum. These plants provide a place for wind blown sand to be caught and built up, resulting in sand dunes. Commonly, they will plant along sand fences to provide an additional barrier for the sand. These plants also anchor the dunes as they provide huge structural integrity for the dunes themselves.
Our sand dunes are extremely valuable for a handful of reasons. First off, the sand dunes act as home for an immense population of plants and animals. The dunes offer protection for these plants and animals from their already extremely harsh environment of salt water, shifting sand, uninterrupted sunlight, storms, and surges. Along our coast, popular animals you may see in our dunes include beach mice, nesting sea turtles, snow crabs, and other species that are common among our beaches! Another reason the dunes are so important is because they help protect our homes and businesses. The sand dunes act as our main line of defense against storm systems and surges, which could otherwise ruin upland property. Our very own Beacher’s Lodge has sand dunes right on location that we cherish everyday!
How You Can Protect Our Dunes
As a visitor, it can be easy to overlook the importance of the sand dunes to our beaches, and it is probably not common knowledge to know how to avoid damaging the delicate structures. When visiting our beaches, always use the designated dune walkovers and beach access points to avoid trekking through any of our dunes. The vegetation is able to tolerate the harsh conditions of the wind and sea, but doesn’t easily tolerate being walked or driven on. Once on the beach, stay clear of the sand dunes when finding a place to sit and relax and never let your pets explore the sand dunes, as this can also damage them. Furthermore, it is also illegal to tamper with or destroy sand dunes in the state of Florida.
For more information on the FEMA Dune Enhancement Project, please visit their website by clicking here.