Irish beaches are a popular place for recreation all year round, especially during the summer. However, this popularity means that many sand dunes are at risk of sustaining irreparable damage.
Without protection, the vegetation that holds the dune together is walked on and destroyed, leaving the dune vulnerable to winter storms and other forces of nature.
In such circumstances it is difficult for nature to heal itself, but a little human intervention can help: sand ladders, exclusion fencing, soil saver mesh and marram-grass planting will help to restore dunes as well as preventing further erosion.
Conservation Services have an in-depth knowledge of sensitive areas and habitats such as National Nature Reserves and embryonic shifting dunes and marram dunes. Tony Murray, NPWS Wexford
