Article by Barbara Driscoll and Marcia Warren
Dune Savers – Grassroots Conservation Sunset Beach is situated in the municipality of Treasure Island in Pinellas County, west of Tampa. It boasts some of the area’s iconic beaches and is a haven for tourism. Beach dunes and native coastal plantings in this barrier island village captured the attention of native plant enthusiasts, including some members of the Pinellas Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society. A group of concerned volunteers began to maintain native plants in local beach access parking lots. They also noticed non-native plants competing with native plants such as sea oats (Uniola paniculata), dune sunflower (Helianthus debilis), and railroad vine (Ipomoea pes-caprae) on the adjacent dune system. They were aware that non-native ornamental plants do not hold back erosion or provide ecological services like native plants do, and the spread of non-native plants could dominate the dunes if left unchecked. This could endanger the substantial public investment made during previous Treasure Island dune restoration projects. Volunteers took action to prevent further degradation of the important dune system, and
in cooperation with the City of Treasure Island, the group’s knowledge and efforts became key in helping conserve the city’s beloved beach plantings and dunes. Once invasive plants were removed, the volume of native dune plants increased to fill in the gaps. After two years of commitment, the group now known as the ‘Dune Savers’ continues to make a positive impact. As curious beach goers walk by, they often
stop and ask questions. Dune Savers volunteers educate them about native plants, how to keep the dunes sustainable, and how to make better landscape plant choices. Dune Savers volunteers also participate in the city event known as ‘Treasure the Island Day’. There, visitors can learn about the Dune Savers projects, view other educational exhibits, and take home native plants donated by Wise Hands Native Nursery. CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
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