New Hampshire’s coastal dunes are a natural shield—absorbing storm surges, protecting coastal communities, and providing critical habitat for wildlife. Dunes are highly dynamic systems and are no stranger to change, however these habitats face new pressures as we develop and ‘harden’ our coastline. Thankfully, researchers, community leaders, and volunteers are working together to plant and restore native dune grass.

Show notes:  

New Hampshire’s coastal dunes are a natural shield—absorbing storm surges, protecting coastal communities, and providing critical habitat for wildlife. Dunes are highly dynamic systems and are no stranger to change, however these habitats face new pressures as we develop and ‘harden’ our coastline, in the context of a rapidly changing Gulf of Maine. Thankfully, researchers, community leaders, and volunteers are working together to plant and restore native beachgrass, Ammophila breviligulata.

Act 1: What's the difference between beachgrass and seagrass? How much dune habitat exists in the Granite State's short stretch of coastline? And why aren't our dune habitats thriving as they should be? Alyson Eberhardt, the Coastal Ecosystems Extension Specialist at New Hampshire Sea Grant, helps us answer all of these questions, while telling a story of the Common Garden. Like any good community garden, this space brings people together under a shared purpose.

Act 2: The town of Hampton, New Hampshire sits at the center of this sandy conversation. Intense storms and flooding events have prompted homeowners and beachgoers in this popular beach town to seek solutions. Brianna Hagan, Conservation Coordinator at the Town of Hampton, knows that since we can't control the ocean, that her town has important decisions to make for the future. But sometimes the simplest place to start is with a shovel and a plant. 

Act 3: People from all crosswalks of life come together on a cold April morning at Plaice Cove in Hampton, New Hampshire to transform a stretch of coastline. Chris Grippo, Chair of Surfrider Foundation's New Hampshire Chapter, and Patty McKenzie, a local homeowner, take a moment between getting their hands sandy to describe why planting beachgrass gives them hope.

Guest Speakers: 

Alyson Eberhardt, Ph.D., Coastal Ecosystems Extension Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant

Brianna Hagan, Conservation Coordinator at the Town of Hampton

Chris Grippo, Chair of the Surfrider Foundation New Hampshire Chapter

Patty McKenzie, Resident of Hampton, New Hampshire

Hosted by: Brian Yurasits, Science Communication Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant

Produced by: Brian Yurasits

Further reading:

Common Garden of Native Sand Dune Plants
Dune Restoration
Coastal Research Volunteers
Surfrider Foundation New Hampshire Chapter

New Hampshire Sea Grant works to enhance our relationship with the coastal environment to sustain healthy and resilient ecosystems, economies, and communities through integrated research, extension, education, and communications efforts. Based at the University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Sea Grant is one of 34 programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program, a state-federal partnership serving America’s coasts. Learn more by visiting: seagrant.unh.edu

University of New Hampshire is an equal opportunity employer, learn more: https://extension.unh.edu/civil-rights-statement