Volunteers plant marram grass to preserve our coastline

On the 29th of July, volunteers gathered to plant marram grass at Horton’s Nose—a nature reserve in Rhyl, on Wales’s North-East coast. The event formed part of a collaboration between Denbighshire Countryside Services and the Marine Conservation Society’s project, Hiraeth Yn Y Môr (HYYM). HYYM is a community-driven initiative in North-East Wales dedicated to helping residents build a closer connection to the ocean.

The dunes at Horton’s Nose were created as part of a large-scale regeneration project in 2012. Over the years, a dune system has been encouraged to establish through transplanting marram grass. Volunteers planted marram grass in clumps of three to better help the plant establish. Sessions like these can ensure a healthy sand dune system at Horton’s Nose for years to come.

But why are sand dunes such an important part of coastal ecosystems, and how does planting marram grass support them?

Another feature of this marvellous grass is its long, matted roots. These roots help to stabilise ‘embryo’ dunes, which are essentially the baby stages of a sand dune. The roots can reduce the erosion of the dune, enabling it to grow big and strong. As if that wasn’t enough, marram grass also provides shelter for animals, which is really important in an otherwise exposed environment like the beach.

Sand dunes are home to a number of important species, from bee orchids to rare natterjack toads. At Horton Nose, common lizards are often spotted among the marram grass tussocks. Over winter, the site enjoys visits from bird species like snow bunting and black redstart.

But sand dunes aren’t just important for wildlife. Healthy dunes can also help buffer against strong winds and encroaching tides, effectively acting as a shield which can reduce the inland impact of severe weather. Dune systems can protect coastal communities from flooding and wind damage, which is why it’s really important that we keep them stable.

Hiraeth Yn Y Môr has been all about supporting the local people of Prestatyn, Rhyl, Kinmel Bay and Towyn to feel more connected to their local coast and sea. These types of active restoration activities are a great way for people to increase their understanding of their influence on the ocean and the ocean’s influence on them. No matter where we live, what we do or who we are, we are connected to the ocean. Through the HYYM Ocean Connection Programme, we have seen that 97% of participants have committed to taking part in more pro-ocean behaviours, demonstrating that the impact of the project will continue beyond March 2025.

This project is supported by the Nature Networks Programme which is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, on behalf of the Welsh Government.