Shell Point Beach Restoration and Cleanup to Take Place Saturday, Sept. 19

Phase 1 of the Shell Point Beach restoration project, in partnership with the annual International Coastal Cleanup, will kick off this Saturday morning, September 19, 2009 at 8:15 a.m. at the cedar tree at Shell Point Beach. We will be joined by Keep Wakulla County Beautiful and the Ocean Conservancy and hopefully the many other individuals that will show up to help pick up trash and debris along the Wakulla County waterfront and beaches.

{sidebar id=1}Phase 1 will include planting of native salt tolerant flowers and grasses around the restrooms and parking areas. Phase 2, in the planning for a month down the road, will include planting of native salt tolerant trees along the beach area and Phase 3 will involve a retention wall and grasses around the Shell Point cedar tree. We will also come back in the spring and plant spring varieties of flowers and grasses in the Phase 1 area.

Native vegetation is important along the coastline because it helps protect and stabilize the shoreline. The species that will be planted on Saturday include sea oats, saltmeadow cordgrass, and muhly grass. These plants will help stabilize the beach by creating localized areas where wind-carried sand can accumulate. Many beach grasses, like sea oats and panic grasses, have a web of roots that lock captured sand in place. The sea oat rhizomes and roots can extend over 30 feet.

Native plants are also great because they are drought tolerant and will not require as much irrigation. They will also help protect the marine waters from pollution by filtering stormwater runoff. The nitrogen and phosphorus found in runoff is captured by the plants and used for growth.

And finally, during storm events, such as hurricanes and strong storms, released sand from the beach lessens wave energy and provides a shock absorber protecting valuable infrastructure such as buildings and roadways.

For their assistance we want to thank in advance Marj Law of Keep Wakulla County Beautiful, Inc.; Scott Jackson, Wakulla County Extension Director with the University of Florida IFAS; and Ray Gray, Director of the Wakulla County Parks and Recreation. We would also like to thank Gail Campbell of Purple Martin Nurseries, Steve Defibaugh with Steve's Landscape, and Ted Cowley-Gilbert from Just Fruits and Exotics for their assistance with the native grasses and plants. Thanks also go to the Sea Searchers of the Wakulla County 4H program who will be on hand to help out Saturday. Without their assistance with planning, financing and love for their county, this project would not be possible.

This information originally published on September 17, 2009.

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