Restore coastal dunes through native plant communities

Rebuild dunes with marram grass and neighbours

Dutch and Belgian coasts rely on living dunes as storm buffers. Natura 2000 Award heroes show how residents transplant marram grass, close illegal paths, and keep dunes breathing.

What you can do

• Browse Meet the Natura 2000 heroes for coastal dune projects near you
• Join municipal dune planting days along the Hollandse Duinen and Zuid-Kennemerland coast
• Follow marked boardwalks and help redirect walkers away from fragile slopes

How it works

Rangers mark zones where foot traffic compacted sand. Volunteers plant plugs, install rope fences, and monitor sand buildup after winter storms.

Why it matters

Thick dunes shelter villages, recharge groundwater, and host orchids and rabbits that make beach walks feel wild again.

Source & repost

Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it.
Source: European Commission — Natura 2000 Award heroes. © European Union.
Photo: Chris Downer, Marram grass on the dunes (CC BY-SA 2.0).