Dune Restoration & Sea Oats - Friends of Hunting Island

Dune Restoration Project

10/30/07: As part of the dune restoration at Hunting Island, we have added stabilizing vegetation to the growing dunes at the beach. Thanks to everyone who helped plant the grass and elder at South Beach. Despite my truck breaking down, bugs, high tides, rain and wind we planted almost 4,000 plants over the last week. We put Beach Elder along the beach walkways and Bitter Panicum behind the sand fence at South Beach.

Again, thanks to everyone who helped with this important environmental project. You can already see positive effects of our work!

7/20/07: We have completed the Dune Restoration Project on South Beach, North Beach, Cabin Road and the Campground. The sand fence and rope walkways will help build and protect the dunes on the newly re-nourished beaches at Hunting Island.

Thanks to all who participated in this major environmental conservation project. We worked a total of 325 hours completing the project.

Thanks, Tim Bruner
Environmental Director, Friends of Hunting Island
843-476-4708

tim carrying plants detail of new growth
Tim Bruner carrying dune plantsDetail of growth & plantings -Oct 2007

zig zag sand fencing building the fence
Zig-zag fencing to trap blown sand -May 2007Building Sand Fence -May 2007

August 10, 2006:
Community Effort Plants 20,000 Sea Oats

In a true community effort local businesses and organizations donated time and effort to plant 20 thousand sea oats on the newly refurbished beaches at Hunting Island. Over 100 individuals volunteered over 400 hours to plant the sea oats. The sea oats will help conserve and beautify the beaches at South Beach, North Beach and the Campground.

Sea Oats (Uniola paniculata) provide long term protection against beach erosion and add natural beauty to our coastal ecosystems. The plants grow to 6 feet high and they function to trap wind-blown sands that eventually mound to begin dune formation. Dunes provide a naturalbarrier against storm surges and high winds during severe weather. These warm-season, perennial grasses gradually create an extensive root system and colonize the dune via underground rhizomes. Sea oats are drought tolerant and have a high tolerance to sea water and salt spray.

Organizations providing volunteers were: Friends of Hunting Island, Dataw Garden Club, Lady's Island Garden Club, Tri-Command Single Marine and Sailor Program, and the Beaufort Marine Institute.

Several local businesses contributed to the effort; Coastal EcoScapes donated the plants, Dempsey Farms donated watering equipment, USDA donated planting tools (dibbles), Glidden Paint donated buckets, Coca-Cola Bottling distributor donated bottled water and Harry's Harbor Shop donated ice.

Thanks to all for contributing to the success of this important conservation project.