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Partnership Between Navy, National Aquarium Helps Rebuild Sand Dunes at Dam Neck Annex

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100413-23
4/13/2010

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Terah Mollise, Naval Station Oceana Public Affairs

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- Sailors volunteered to help rebuild sand dunes at Dam Neck Annex in Virginia Beach, Va., as part of an ongoing partnership between the Navy and the National Aquarium in Baltimore April 9-10.

More than 100 volunteers registered, including a local Girl Scout troop, employees of the Virginia Aquarium in Virginia Beach, the National Aquarium, Sailors from Oceana and individuals from surrounding communities. They planted three different types of grasses, totaling more than 13,000 plants that were planted individually along the four-mile stretch of beach on Dam Neck. The three different types of grasses are commonly known as Salt Meadow hay, American Beach grass and Coast Panic grass.

"We use these grasses because they are native to the area and the harsh environment," said Laura Bankey, manager of conservation from the National Aquarium.

According to Bankey, most grasses can't survive with the amount of salt spray from the beach but the grasses planted have adapted to the area, so they will not need maintenance to survive.

"We do this for two reasons; it protects the infrastructure of the base, and it also creates and maintains a vital habitat for the native animals," said Bankey.

While the partnership began in approximately 2006, following a November 2009 storm that destroyed nearly one-third of the dunes, this year's effort became even more essential.

Both the Navy and the National Aquarium belong to the Cooperative Ecosystems Study Unit, a mechanism to help organizations work together easier, according to Bankey.

The National Aquarium's motto is "inspire people to enjoy, respect and protect the aquatic world," .

"We love it when the Sailors come to volunteer," said Bankey. "Most of the Sailors we see haven't been to the places we are working on, so it gives them a new perspective to the base and the area," she added.

"Whether we are volunteering to work on the beaches, doing restoration or working with the Cancer Society, our Sailors want to come out and give their time and support," said Oceana's Command Master Chief (AW/SW) Robert Santiago, who assisted with the efforts.

"Our Sailors feel passionate about helping out the community," he added.

"I volunteered because this helps out our base as well as the environment," said Operations Specialist 3rd Class Laurie Pons-Marcano.

"We all worked hard, and I think that our efforts definitely paid off," she added.

Volunteers not only planted new grass but some also removed debris that washed ashore, and built a 595-foot fence.

Volunteers and both aquariums also planted grass on Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia Beach April 7- 8.