dunes

From 1946, NSW planted South African bitou bush to stabilise coastal sand dunes; decades later it had spread along 46% of the state’s coastline and threatened native ecosystems

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From 1946, NSW planted South African bitou bush to stabilise coastal sand dunes; decades later it had spread along 46% of the state's coastline and threatened native ecosystems

Representative Image (AI-generated) A plant introduced with a practical purpose along the New South Wales (NSW) coast eventually became a major environmental weed. South African bitou bush was deliberately planted along the NSW coastline between 1946 and 1968 to help stabilise sand dunes, according to the NSW Environment and Heritage department. The fast-growing shrub later … Read more

In 1910, Oregon planted European beachgrass to stabilize shifting dunes; it spread along the coast, reshaped the landscape and squeezed open sandy habitat used by native wildlife

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In 1910, Oregon planted European beachgrass to stabilize shifting dunes; it spread along the coast, reshaped the landscape and squeezed open sandy habitat used by native wildlife

European beachgrass (Ammophila arenaria) is now well established in the Oregon dunes In 1910, Oregon introduced European beachgrass near Coos Bay to stabilise its shifting dunes. The plant trapped moving sand and helped hold the dunes in place as it was meant to. But as the beachgrass spread, it changed the coastal landscape and reduced … Read more

Why some sand dunes ‘sing’ while most stay silent: The science behind the mysterious hum

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From tales of music by ghosts to scientific inquiry, the phenomenon of singing sands intrigues researchers. Investigations show how specific dune characteristics influence sound production, linking ancient mysteries to granular mechanics and acoustics, revealing why only some dunes resonate. (Representational/Unsplash)

There are accounts of odd noises coming out of some of the sand dunes dating back to ancient times. During his journey through the Gobi Desert in Asia in the 13th century, Venetian merchant and explorer Marco Polo wrote about music made by ghosts, which he believed were desert spirits. It is an extraordinary natural … Read more

Nearly 4,000 New York City students planted more than 100,000 beachgrass stalks across 2.25 acres at Coney Island Creek Park to rebuild protective dunes and help protect 50,000+ people from flooding

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Nearly 4,000 New York City students planted more than 100,000 beachgrass stalks across 2.25 acres at Coney Island Creek Park to rebuild protective dunes and help protect 50,000+ people from flooding

Nearly 4,000 public school students, more than 200 teachers and hundreds of community members have worked with NWF Nearly 4,000 New York City public school students have taken part in an effort to restore protective dunes at Coney Island Creek Park in Brooklyn. Since 2022, students, teachers and community members have planted more than 100,000 … Read more

In 2013, a UK beach began planting discarded Christmas trees to trap blowing sand; by 2026, the project had created 90 metres of new dunes that help defend homes from flooding

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In 2013, a UK beach began planting discarded Christmas trees to trap blowing sand; by 2026, the project had created 90 metres of new dunes that help defend homes from flooding

More than 2,000 Christmas trees were planted at St Annes beach in February 2026. (Photo: .visitstannes.info) Discarded Christmas trees are being used to help protect homes and businesses along the Fylde Coast in Lancashire, UK. Since the project began in 2013, old Christmas trees have been placed on St Annes beach to trap wind-blown sand … Read more

In 1941, US Steel built a summer camp lodge at Indiana Dunes; after about 50 years closed, it has reopened and workers found an original time capsule hidden in its walls

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In 1941, US Steel built a summer camp lodge at Indiana Dunes; after about 50 years closed, it has reopened and workers found an original time capsule hidden in its walls

According to the report, in 1941, the U.S. Steel Company built the lodge for the children of its employees. The Good Fellow Youth Camp, which ran from 1941 to 1975, provided generations of young people with an opportunity to get outdoors in what would later become Indiana Dunes National Park. Generations of Northwest Indiana children … Read more

Maine students and residents planted 12,000 dune-grass stalks after two 2024 storms washed away dunes; in 2026, volunteers returned with 20,000 more to rebuild the beach

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Maine students and residents planted 12,000 dune-grass stalks after two 2024 storms washed away dunes; in 2026, volunteers returned with 20,000 more to rebuild the beach

University of New England students plant dune grass at Biddeford Pool beach in Maine. A beach in Biddeford Pool, Maine, is being rebuilt with the help of dune grass. In March 2026, University of New England students and local volunteers planted 20,000 stalks across about 20,000 square feet, continuing a restoration effort that began after … Read more

In 1908, an unschooled Indiana widow began a 20-year fight to defend 120 acres of Lake Michigan dunes from a steel giant; 72 years later, 212 acres including part of her tract joined Indiana Dunes to remain open space forever

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In 1908, an unschooled Indiana widow began a 20-year fight to defend 120 acres of Lake Michigan dunes from a steel giant; 72 years later, 212 acres including part of her tract joined Indiana Dunes to remain open space forever

Carr remained determined to defend what she believed was hers (Photo: NPS) In the early 1900s, an Indiana widow spent more than two decades fighting to defend her claim to 120 acres along Lake Michigan. Drusilla Carr had lived on the land for decades before it became valuable. As the city of Gary, Indiana, grew … Read more

In 2021, Alabama students began placing discarded Christmas trees along Gulf Coast dunes to trap sand; each year about 200 students now add roughly 3,000 native plants around them

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In 2021, Alabama students began placing discarded Christmas trees along Gulf Coast dunes to trap sand; each year about 200 students now add roughly 3,000 native plants around them

Discarded Christmas trees Discarded holiday trees collected from living rooms across Alabama are finding a second life along the Gulf of Mexico, forming the foundation of a student-led coastal restoration campaign. Discarded Christmas trees collected from homes across Alabama are getting a second life along the Gulf of Mexico, helping form the base of a … Read more

In 2015, a storm flooded and destroyed a Virginia wildlife refuge beach parking lot; now officials are moving it 2.5 miles north so dunes and saltmarsh can reclaim the old site

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In 2015, a storm flooded and destroyed a Virginia wildlife refuge beach parking lot; now officials are moving it 2.5 miles north so dunes and saltmarsh can reclaim the old site

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (Image Credit: Canva) A severe storm in 2015 flooded and destroyed a recreational beach parking lot at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia, exposing the growing difficulty of maintaining visitor facilities on a shifting barrier island. According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the refuge is now relocating the recreational … Read more