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Marram grass planting on Banna strand on Sunday.
THE local community came together on Sunday for a marram grass planting and networking event organised by Clean Coasts and co-hosted by Banna Coastcare Group.
There were 25 volunteers, including members of Banna Coast Care group and Clean Coasts volunteers from groups in the Maharees and Fenit ,taking part in the event. The groups from these areas have vast experience planting marram grasses.
Prior to the Roadshow event, Pat from Banna Coastcare harvested grasses and, at the event, he gave a talk to the group about the local issues in Banna in relation to exposed dunes.
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Elaine Doyle from Clean Coasts talked about marram grass, dunes and the importance of respecting the dunes. Banna is such a popular beach and is known from its length and dune structure, however there are a lot of exposed dunes which the local groups want to address.
Elaine and Pat demonstrated how to harvest and plant marram grass and all the group got to have a go.
The group visited the area they will be planting at the next meeting. The local NPWS ranger also attended. A plan was made for planting, protection and education, all facets of a successful dune restoration project.
Banna Rescue kindly offered their premises for more chat and well deserved refreshments after the time in the dunes and gave the group a history of Banna Coastcare and ecological information about the area.
The group will meet again to harvest and plant marram grass on exposed dunes in Banna Strand.
Clean Coasts Development officer Elaine Doyle said: “Clean Coasts ran the North Kerry Roadshow last Sunday, a beautiful sunny spring day on the ever wonderful Banna strand. It was a great event, meeting local people locally and who travelled to the event, people who care about the dunes and their huge importance to our beaches.
“We got to chat, make plans for very important dune restoration, everyone got their hands in the sand for marram grass harvesting and planting and the seeds were set for the lengthy but exciting job of restoring the exposed dunes in Banna.”
“After the beach the group headed to the lovely Banna Rescue centre for more chat, local history and well-deserved refreshments. We are looking forward to getting out again to Banna Strand and with the power of community restoring our wonderful dunes.”
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