Kevin's Dunes Blog

First Published in May 2021

If you want to print off similar signs for your local beach, they are available here. You can edit to be more specific to your group.

This summer I was delighted to be involved with a national campaign to highlight the pressure on the coastal dunes of Ireland. The launch of the #ProtectOurDunes coincided with World Sand Dune Day back in June, which highlights the importance of conserving these vital coastal habitats around the world.

We produced a series of 4 short videos exploring how dunes act as a natural protection against storms, how they respond to erosion events and can recover, how our activities can damage the dunes and how we can protect them.

Video 1. Natural Protection

Video 2. Erosion & Recovery

Video 3. How we can damage them

Video 4. How we can protect them

How Can You Protect the Dunes

1. In places where the dunes are narrow (10s of metres wide), Enjoy the beach and avoid using the dunes in any way – sorry it is that simple
2. In places where they are wider, stick to marked paths and respect local signage on how to use them
3. Where erosion is a problem, help out (or form) a local action group. Dune planting, sand-fencing, involving many local groups & managing authorities, and awareness amongst users are the basics of ‘working with natural processes’ for restoration

• Dune planting will only work where sand is naturally available. On the dune face or the upper beach, winter storms may erode all your hard work in planting. This we know is possible, so be prepared to GO AGAIN. That is why we need to be flexible, to adapt and to have ongoing management plans that have a long term outlook. Plans for Nature-based Solutions such as dunes for coastal protection need long-term commitments to be sustainable solutions [sustainable meaning we consider the health and wellbeing of our coastal communities (social and economic aspects) and the environment in which we live].

In a broader context, here is a short piece on visiting the coast in a responsible manner.