At the Keep Indian River Beautiful Jaycee Beach Dune Restoration project last Saturday morning, more than 60 friends of the environment literally dug in and planted nearly 400 native plants along the boardwalk between Conn Way and Jaycee Beach.

The goal of the project, funded by grants from Anheuser-Busch, Inc., Keep America Beautiful and Waste Management, is threefold, according to Daisy Packer, KIRB executive director. Planting a variety of salt-resistant vegetation not only beautifies the park but also fortifies the dunes, which in turn protects the beaches from erosion and reduces the impact of wind and water.

KIRB purchased the plants from Other Side Services, whose crew volunteered to help with what they described as native, salt-resistant and drought-resistant plants. “It’s what would naturally be growing here,” owner Ray Hooker explained. Among the flora were inkberry Scaevola, sea oats, cordgrass, spider lily, firecracker plant, sea lavender and Jamaican caper.

“So many plants disappeared between Matthew and Irma,” said Packer. “There isn’t enough dune or plants to block the parking lot lights from cascading over the dunes during sea turtle season, which starts March 1. We’re trying to get as much in there as possible to help keep the sea turtles from getting confused as to which direction to go to get back to the ocean.”

As IRC Turtle Team volunteer Barb Grass lined up plants for the morning’s activities, she stressed the importance of the vegetation. “The only way you’re going to keep this boardwalk and the sand here is to plant; that’s what keeps it all intact. It helps both the sea turtles and gopher turtles that live in here too. The sea turtles come all the way up here to nest. When bad storms erode the sand and it looks like a cliff, the turtles can’t nest and they turn around and go back in the water.”

This is the second large-scale restoration project KIRB has taken on since Packer joined the local nonprofit. The first entailed an entrance renovation, planting of a native garden and replacement of 40 trees at the Captain Forester Hammock Preserve on Jungle Trail.

KIRB strives to unite the community through environmental responsibility while focusing on waste reduction, litter prevention, beautification, conservation and education. Other programs include: the Cigarette Litter Prevention Program, Event Recycling, International Coastal Cleanup, and Monofilament Recovery and Recycling Program.

In April they will again host the Great American Cleanup, which last year amassed 2,500 pounds of litter from 22 sites around the county. Projects also include a second Jaycee Beach Dune Restoration and the Sebastian Earth Day Celebration on April 21. On Feb. 16 KIRB will host its Environmental Awards Luncheon, which recognizes efforts to improve the local environment.

KIRB opened its repurposing boutique Upcycle It! several years ago and recently moved it to a storefront at the corner of 16th Street and Old Dixie Highway. This new space has allowed them to incorporate the store and offices in one location, making it easier to drop off donations. An array of hand-made items and craft supplies are available for purchase.

For more information, visit keepindianriverbeautiful.org.