Dune Restoration on Dauphin Island

The Mobile County, Alabama, Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), the NRCS Brooksville Plant Materials Center (PMC), and approximately 90 second- and fourth-graders from Collier and Dauphin Island Elementary Schools recently helped restore Hurricane Katrina-flattened dunes by planting 2,000 seedlings on the southern end of Dauphin Island.

The SWCD took the lead in planning the event, purchased seaoat plants and sand fencing, made the contacts to acquire the location, provided bus transportation for the children, and provided hot dogs and hamburgers that the Alabama Cooperative Extension System cooked for the youngsters. Staff from the PMC provided the bitter panicum and beach sunflower plants and important on-site guidance for the planting effort.

According to Dauphin Island Park and Beach Board member Mike Henderson, “We’re glad to have the kids here to help restore the dunes destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. When the kids get involved and actually learn the lessons of how important the dunes are and what the dunes are composed of, then they understand how important it is to take care of these beaches. Vegetation is an important component to make the beach a good place for both animals and humans.”
Your contact is Julie Best, NRCS public affairs specialist, at 334-887-4549.