Naval Air Station Oceana-Dam Neck Annex hosted a sand dune stabilization event to restore critical sand dunes along Dam Neck Annex’s coastline. The restoration project is a collaborative effort between the Navy, the National Aquarium, the Virginia State Military Reservation, and the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit.
Sand dunes act as a natural barrier between land and water, and without these efforts to protect the dunes, the soft coastline would rapidly erode. Maintaining the dunes is equally important from an operational and environmental standpoint.
“If the dunes weren’t here, our beaches and our installation at Dam Neck Annex would not be what they are today,” said Michael Wright, NAS Oceana’s natural resources manager. “Additionally, we wouldn’t have the local habitat for species of concern, and those species would become endangered.”
Building and maintaining Dam Neck’s dunes is a project that has been years in the making.
“In 1995, we had portions of our dunes that didn’t exist at all,” Wright said. “There was water, about ten feet of grass, and buildings. We went through an extensive process of building the dunes along the beach.”
Each year, the natural resources department identifies a vulnerable portion of the shoreline that needs attention, and volunteers assist with planting vegetation and installing fencing.
“We have planted literally millions of plants by hand on this installation, with volunteer support,” Wright said.
A wide variety of species were planted to strengthen and diversify the dune structures. As the plants grow, their roots trap and stabilize the sand, which makes the dune more resistant to erosion. Last year’s recycled Christmas trees were even used to help build up parts of the dune.
The project has been very successful in protecting Virginia Beach’s native flora and fauna while allowing our military to continue its mission focus.
Be sure to keep NAS Oceana’s dune restoration efforts in mind after the holidays when it is time to discard your Christmas tree. Follow NAS Oceana on Facebook for updates through the holidays: @NavalAirStationOceana.
| Date Taken: | 10.20.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 10.20.2022 15:13 |
| Story ID: | 431738 |
| Location: | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 91 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Dune Restoration at Dam Neck Annex, by PO2 Megan Wollam, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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