Volunteers Needed For Dune Grass Planting At Island Beach State Park On Saturday

Do you love Island Beach State Park?

Then come and help stave off damage from future Nor'easters and hurricanes by planting American Beachgrass plants at the park on Saturday, March 25.

The state Park Service is hosting the annual spring event from 9:30 a.m. to noon at Ocean Bathing Area 1.

Volunteers from AmericCorps New Jersey, the Friends of Island Beach and the Barnegat Bay Partnership will also be participating.

"The annual program to plant protective American Beachgrass plants at Island Beach State Park serves several important purposes," said Mark Texel, Director of the DEP's Division of Parks and Forestry. "Not only do these plants help strengthen the critical dune system, they beautify the beach and bring together volunteers for a good cause.""

Building up dunes is even more necessary as the park continues to recover from the catastrophic damage caused by Superstorm Sandy on Oct. 19, 2012. The park was closed for nearly three months after the storm.

The plants hold the dunes together, with a web-like root system, said Jen Clayton, the park's manager.

"The blades of the grass catch sand during high wind events such as Nor'easters, and help to grow the dune, adding even more protection, Clayton said. "The park has been concentrating on fortifying vulnerable areas around the numerous paths to the beach, to keep public access open without compromising dune stability," she said.

Nearly 10 miles long, Island Beach State Park is one of the last stretches of undeveloped Atlantic barrier island ecosystem in the region. More than 1 million people visit the park annually. Visitors to the park this year will be able to enjoy the season's plantings, which are next to a main parking area, as well as the main walkway to the park's most popular bathing beach.

Volunteers can register for the event online at: http://friendsofibsp.org/events/dunegrass/ or sign up when they arrive at the park. Registrants will be assigned a specific part of the park. Volunteers are also asked to bring a pole or shovel. Saturday's event will be held rain or shine.

For more about Island Beach State Park, visit: www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/island.htmlFor more information about the Barnegat Bay Partnership, visit: http://bbp.ocean.edu/pages/1.aspTo like the New Jersey State Parks, Forests and Historic Sites Facebook page, visit: www.facebook.com/NewJerseyStateParks/?fref=ts