Katrina Locke klocke@co.volusia.fl.us	(386) 736-5927 ext. 2331 (DeLand)
Dunes provide the first line of defense against coastal storms.  Native Dune plants have adapted well to the harsh environment in which they live, they have to be able to withstand salt spray, heat, burial by sand and very dry conditions.  The root systems of dune plants play a vital role in dune stabilization.  When wind blows sand along the beach the roots and stems of the dune plants trap the sand creating dunes or adding sand to the dune system.  Many dune plants, including sea oats, have root systems with vertical roots that enable the plant to take advantage of water present at lower levels and roots that spread out underneath the surface of the dune, in order to take advantage of any rainfall.  Some roots that spread out under the surface may form rhizomes; these are roots from which stems emerge to form new plants.
Volusia County received a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through the Florida Coastal Impact Assistance Program to purchase and grow coastal plants for dune re-vegetation.  While sea oats (Uniola paniculata) will make up the majority of the plants distributed by the nursery , saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), beach sunflower (helianthus debilis), railroad vine (Ipomoea pes-caprae), beach panicgrass (Panicum amarum), seashore paspalum (paspalum distichum), sea purslane (Sesuvium portulacastrum), saltmeadow cordgrass (Spartina patens) and seashore dropseed (Sporobolus virginicus) will also be available but in smaller quantities.
Plantings initiated by Environmental Management will be carried out between November 1 and April 30 in order to avoid Sea Turtle nesting season.  If you would like to volunteer to plant sea oats, have a dune area that you would like to see planted (including your own property) or would like more information on the program please contact Katrina Locke Volusia County Environmental Management (386) 736-5927 254-4612, 423-3303 ex 2331.    N.B. State law requires you to have a permit to plant vegetation on sand dunes, permits are issued by Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

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