Volunteers needed for sea oat planting at Fort Matanzas

2,000 sea oat seedlings to help restore dunes damaged in hurricane

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Fort Matanzas National Monument will be planting over 2,000 sea oat seedlings along the beach in an effort to naturally rebuild dunes damaged by Hurricane Matthew.

Parks officials are asking for volunteers to come out from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday to help with the planting.
Volunteers should be able to tolerate the hot and humid early morning weather, as well as bending, kneeling and digging, officials said.

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Volunteers will also be picking up storm debris that was washed up by the high tides. The park will provide tools, gloves and water; participants will be expected to bring a reusable water bottle and sun protection. 

Sea oats are one of the most important species in the dune ecosystem. They help trap wind-blown sand, which is the first step in dune formation. Once the dune becomes established, sea oats' extensive root system acts to anchor the dune in place. Besides its vital role in contributing to sand dune stabilization, the seeds of sea oats are a crucial food source for one of the rarest animals at Fort Matanzas, the Anastasia Island beach mouse.

Contact Ranger Kurt Foote at 904-471-0116 or kurt_foote@nps.gov to participate. 

If using a GPS to locate the Fort, the address is 8635 A1A South, St. Augustine, FL 32080.  The park is located 14 miles south of St. Augustine on Anastasia Island and four miles south of SR 206 on Highway A1A. 

For additional information, call 904-471-0116 or visit the park's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FortMatanzasNPS.