Volunteers Create Protective “Sand Fence” in Ocean City Dunes

By MADDY VITALE The Ocean City Environmental Commission and the Ocean City High School Student Environmental Association (SEA) joined forces on Saturday to plant beach plums on the dunes at 57th Street to create a stronger barrier against coastal storms. About 15 members of SEA and members of the city’s Environmental Commission and other members of the community got together to plant the hearty beach plums in the dunes. Each volunteer was equipped with a shovel and a bucket. A break in the rain showers in the morning left just enough time for the team to do their work. “I like helping to make a sustainable coast by planting the beach plums,” explained Michael Cupit, 17, a high school senior. “We have hurricanes and other coastal storms that take away the sand. The beach plums help prevent some of that.” Beach plum cuttings were provided by Alma George, owner of Jalma Farms in Ocean View. George gave the volunteers instructions on how to plant them and an overview of the benefits of beach plums. “Mother Nature put these trees here and they help create something like a sand fence,” George said. Keira Reilly and Ally Dougherty, both 16 and of Ocean City, make sure to dig a deep enough hole for a beach plum. George explained the importance of protecting the dunes and how dune grass alone is not enough to fortify the dunes. She told the volunteers that to properly plant the beach plums, they should be spaced about 10 to 12 feet apart and deep in the sand and soil because of the long roots. Sophomores and members of SEA, Keira Reilly and Ally Dougherty, both 16 and of Ocean City, worked together to scoop out sand and dig a deep enough hole to plant the beach plums. They agreed that planting them was not only fun, but an important thing to do for the coastal community. “I think it is good we are helping the environment to make a barrier against future storms,” Keira said. “This will help with flood prevention and help overall for the environment,” Ally added. “The beach plums take a while to grow, but they really help.” Despite the rain, volunteers from the community and high school come out to help the environment. Environmental Commission Chairman Rick Bernardini watched as the volunteers were busy at work and said, “It worked out well today. We got a couple of new volunteers and about 12 to 15 students from the environmental association.” Ocean City Councilman Keith Hartzell, who is running for mayor in the May 10 municipal election, was also among the volunteers to help with the plantings. Representatives from Water’s Edge Environmental, an Ocean City-based environmental consulting firm, also dug in to help with the planting. Chanon Styer, 17, of Estell Manor, is a senior at Ocean City High School. She noted that the day was not just about planting beach plums. “I love that we do this and get out in the community. It shows the community that there are clubs in the school that want to get out and help,” Chanon said. Environmental Association members work together.