Dune Care

Taking care of sand dunes is a great community activity and a job that won't get done without the people who live near and love the beaches helping out. It should be done with a maximum of enjoyment - complete with picnics and music. Beach Care groups can get involved with lots of interesting activities to learn more about how beaches and sand dunes work. And they can make a real difference in the future of New Zealand beaches.

The primary role of Dune Care groups is to work together with their local council and other members of the community to:

• Identify and remove introduced plants, such as gorse, boneseed, boxthorn, and marram grass from sand dunes and local gardens.
  
  
• Replant native dune plants, especially Pingao and Spinifex.
  
  
• Educate the public about the role of dunes and their protection.
  
  
• Encourage children to learn more about beachesand sand dunes and avoid harming the sand dunes by playing on them.
  
  
• Build formal access ways, fences and sand ladders to allow access while protecting the dunes from vehicles, trampling, and livestock.
  

• Placing signs and fences to protect sensitive bird nesting and vegetation sites.
  
  
• Reduce litter
  
  

Dune care groups should keep in mind that any construction or planting activities will require local and regional council approval; another good reason to involve a wide range of community interests when getting organised.