Coastal Dunes
“Because there's nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how many times it's sent away.”
― Sarah Kay
Initiatives
SECOORA/NOAA water level monitoring and forecast system
Our team is advocating for Fernandina Beach to actively take advantage of a new water level monitoring and forecast system that one of our team, Frank Hopf, of Dune Science Group helped establish. It will go a long way to better understand and forecast coastal water levels to improve our resilience and that of other neighboring coastal cities and towns. Fernandina Beach has been selected to be the hub of the four state SECOORA/NOAA system which will soon include over 200 low cost, self-sustaining and broadcasting water level monitors in coastal cities in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Fernandina Beach will be the hub of the system with six of the new Hohonu monitors installed next to the existing NOAA tide gauge in the Marina. SECOORA will be paying the cost associated with this new hub and our monitor.
Little Nana Dune replanting and monitoring
The North Florida Land Trust was able to acquire a large part of the Little Nana Dune in American Beach. Unfortunately, the dune has what is known as a blowout and has been for many years by all indications. Unfortunately, the interaction of the blowout and dune with existing infrastructure has not been destructive to the dune system. Our team developed a plan to try to stabilize and speed healing of the blowout by planting native dune vegetation and installing temporary sand fencing. Pastor Carlton Jones of American Beach donated the estimated 1000 plants that volunteers planted in 2021 and the 2200 plants planted in 2022. We are continuing to monitor the site for planting success and topographic change.
City of Fernandina Beach Dune Protection Ordinance and Dune Walkways
Fernandina Beach’s foredunes protect the island and its homes and businesses from storm and floodwater damage and coastline erosion. The dune system provides unique and valuable maritime forest and coastal habitat. Much of the coastal science research took place in Florida and the legislature responded by passing the Comprehensive Beach Management Law. Fernandina Beach’s Dune Walkover Committee observed that the resilience of a strong dune system is the taxpayer’s best return on investment as flood and storm protection protects property values, insurance rates and tax revenues. Our team is collaborating with the City of Fernandina Beach to strengthen City ordinances. We are compiling code examples from across the U.S. and in conversation with experts in coastal geomorphology and land planning.
Over the past thirty years, where protected by walkovers or light foot traffic, the dunes on the island have grown significantly without much human help. Unfortunately, the dunes along Ocean Avenue south to Access 16 and along American Beach have not been able to restore themselves because of high traffic to the beach eliminating the trapping vegetation. The City and County needs a resiliency plan which incorporate sea level rise projections and addresses the major flood risks of storm surge still water flooding, high rainfall induced flooding, and storm surge plus storm wave impacts. Conserve Nassau has been actively monitoring and advocating for dune protection on Amelia Island.
Learn more about American Beach and saving Little Nana Dune in this 4 1/2 minute video from the North Florida Land Trust.
Sand reclaiming Beach Access 6N after Tropical Storm Ian. November 10, 2022.
Conserve Nassau presentation by Dr. Frank Hopf offers an understanding of our barrier island dune system and dune protection.
Part 1. Pangaea to present
Part 2. Our Holocene Dunes
Part 3. Solutions for Amelia Island
Dune Resources
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Patrick Hesp authored this textbook on dunes for high schoolers. It is a wonderful reference for any age.
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Sand dune native plants for northeast Florida and southeast Georgia
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Real time water levels at the Fernandina Beach & around the US coast
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How do you rebuild sand dunes?
Immediate Concerns
Dune Encroachment
Home construction that excavates into the side of dunes can create unstable conditions and substantial impacts beyond the site. Similar issue are occurring with new construction along Fletcher Ave.