Restoring Beaches Through Vegetation and Community Action

In 2016, the MARE Society conceived, formed, and led the Dune Conservation Action Team (Dune-CAT)—an initiative under the Caribbean Landscape Conservation Cooperative (CLCC), a partnership of Federal conservation agencies.

The mission was clear: to restore dunes and stabilize beaches through vegetation while empowering communities to play a leading role in coastal conservation.

Who Is the Dune-CAT?

The Dune-CAT is composed of a diverse coalition:

• Scientists from Federal and State conservation agencies

• University researchers and students

• NGOs and local organizations

• Community members and volunteers

By working together, this team blends scientific knowledge, government resources, and community action into one powerful force for change.

Why Dunes and Vegetation?

Coastal dunes are more than scenic landscapes. They are living protective barriers that:

• Defend inland areas from storm surges and erosion

• Support rich ecosystems and biodiversity

• Maintain the socio-economic value of beaches as recreational and cultural spaces

Through vegetation planting, dunes and wetlands can be restored, stabilized, and enhanced—strengthening both ecological functions and community resilience.

A Cooperative Effort

The Dune-CAT works hand-in-hand with:

• Federal and State agencies

• Municipal governments

• NGOs and community groups

Together, they promote dune restoration by planting native vegetation and involving communities in the process. This collaboration builds not only stronger coastlines but also stronger bonds between people and their environment.

Tools, Training, and Guidelines

The Dune-CAT developed guidelines, procedures, and criteria for identifying beaches suitable for stabilization. They also created a range of educational and technical tools, including:

• Educational programs and training sessions for schools, universities, and communities

• Planting and management plans tailored to each municipality or beach

• Beach monitoring plans to track long-term success

• Community training in planting, maintenance, and monitoring

By engaging people directly, the program created a sense of ownership and responsibility, ensuring that projects continue beyond their initial implementation.

The CLCC Connection

The CLCC provides a collaborative framework and facilitates conservation initiatives, while Dune-CAT acts as its on the ground workforce. Although funding is not guaranteed, the team presents its needs to the CLCC to support projects. This partnership strengthens regional conservation while allowing the Dune-CAT to remain focused on action.

From Concept to Action

The Dune-CAT organized working groups, assigned tasks, and sought funding to carry out its ambitious agenda. The concept grew into a series of projects that include:

• Beach identification and prioritization for stabilization with vegetation

• Inventory of vegetation sources for nursery propagation

• Characterization of beach profiles for project planning

• Community education and awareness programs

• Municipality-specific planting and management plans

• Training for communities, municipal workers, and managers

• Nursery propagation of seedlings

• Establishment of demonstration projects

• Community planting, maintenance, and monitoring with Dune-CAT guidance

• Educational products such as guides, videos, and training materials

• Publications documenting inventories, beach characterizations, planting plans, and project results

Beyond Puerto Rico

One of the strengths of the Dune-CAT’s work is its scalability. The plans, guides, and educational products developed are designed to be replicable internationally. This ensures that lessons learned in Puerto Rico can help other coastal communities around the world facing similar challenges.

A Vision for Resilient Coasts

The Dune Conservation Action Team is more than a project it is a movement. By combining science, government, and community participation, it demonstrates that coastal resilience is achievable when people work together.

Takeaway: The Dune-CAT proves that with the right tools, knowledge, and commitment, communities can restore beaches, protect ecosystems, and create sustainable coastlines for generations to come.