Each fall on Long Beach Island, local stewards – from families and neighbors to school groups and scouts – can be seen planting beachgrass on the dunes, to strengthen this first line of defense against storm-riled ocean waters. LBI municipalities typically receive dune grass in October and announce to residents that it’s available for them to pick up and plant. Many towns still have a supply, so be sure to check with your community, and help bolster the Island’s dunes.

“We need every root in the ground we can get,” said Angela Andersen, sustainability coordinator for Long Beach Township.