Posted on May 27, 2026
By Lee Southwick
NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla — The signs at the beach are ever-present – “Stay off the sand dunes.”
These signs are requesting people do more than protect the fragile wildlife and vegetation growing on the dunes. It’s a request to protect the life and property behind the dunes, too.
Sand dunes are one of the first lines of defense against hurricanes. Storm surge encounters sand dunes first.
“The front of this dune will take the blunt force of all that rising water, which obviously protects our commercial and residential properties,” said Kevin Brown, community advocate for dune restoration and protection in Neptune Beach.
Sand dunes absorb the destructive wave energy and prevent water from flowing back towards our infrastructure. The vegetation helps keep the dunes strong.
“Roots hold the sand in place,” said Brown. “And the more important thing is the vegetation catches the sand.”
The vegetation grabs the salt and sand in the air and helps build the dune naturally. Walking on the dunes inhibits the natural growth of the vegetation.
Brown gathers the community to plant sea oats and help keep the dunes strong.
“After [Hurricanes] Irma and Matthew, 80% of this dune was gone in 12 hours,” said Brown. “What was the positive of that? The back dune, where vegetation is very thick, held. And that is because of the protection and the extra sea oats we plant.”
Brown said those who want to help plant sea oats can contact town officials for Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach, and they will connect you with him.
The Duval beaches are also doing their part to protect the dunes.
“Atlantic, Neptune and Jax Beach have really supported the program by not only supplying some of the product to make a dune barrier, but they also have established walkovers – public walkovers in high access areas – which is really helpful for decreasing the foot traffic that comes from those areas,” said Brown.
Remember this summer season and hurricane season – don’t walk on the dunes! Keeping them strong keeps our first line of storm surge defense strong.
