FORT MORGAN, Ala. — With the winter season, winds and seas approaching, it’s more important than ever to protect beachfront property.

In the wake of hurricanes Gustav and Ike, dunes have been reduced to nothing, and vegetation has taken a beating. As a result, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service is calling for property owners to take an active role in restoring the dunes.

The USFWS has been working with 170 landowners from the Fort Morgan Peninsula down the coast to educate them about what they can do to help.

Just last week a workshop was held to teach residents how and what to plant to rebuild their dunes.

“We provide the plants and the landowners provide the labor,” USFWS deputy field supervisor Rob Tawes said, explaining the program.

People gathered at a home on the beach to view demonstrations and practice their work before heading home to work on their own sandy yard.

“The plants are where it’s at when it comes to dune restoration,” Tawes said.

Frederique Perret of Dune Doctors said 80 percent of the plants on the beach are sea oats and they do a substantial job to protect dunes from waves.

Perret explained the proper way to plant vegetation.

“You want that sand to build up,” Perret said.

The USFWS will fund up to 75 percent of the cost to install sand fencing for homeowners that are without the protection. Once the fencing is installed, plants should be tightly fit around it. Use a trenching shovel to dig foot-deep holes that are a few feet apart from each other. Drop the plant in and cover it back up with sand. For plants that are shorter than a foot, Perret said not to worry. Mark them with a flag so it doesn’t get trampled, and the plant will thrive and emerge through the sand.

Plant sea oats on the north side of the fencing so they are protected from public foot traffic. To add an extra boost to the success of the plants, put a hand full of Terrasorb at the bottom of the hole. Terrasorb is a crystal mixture that is combined with water, according to Josh Rowell of the USFWS.

“It helps hold the moisture near the roots of the plant,” Rowell said. He explained that because the terrain is so sandy the plants tend to lack the proper moisture they need, and the Terrasorb retains water long enough for them to set their roots.

Tawes said it is important that homeowners take an active role in their beachfront land.

“With dune restoration, they are not only saving wildlife, but they are also protecting their properties,” Tawes said.

To purchase photos go to gulfcoastphotosnow.com.