University of New England students contribute to coastal restoration efforts
New England Council member, University of New England (UNE), joined the Biddeford Pool Conservation Trust for a multi-day restoration effort earlier this month. UNE students in the School of Marine and Environmental Programs traveled down the Maine coast alongside community volunteers to repair dunes damaged by back-back storms a year prior. The project allowed students to see the impacts of climate change in real time and have a hand in planting the dune grass stalks.
UNE has worked with the Biddeford Pool Conservation Trust for many years to understand changes taking place in the dunes and has emphasized the need for climate-adaptation measures to help restore and maintain the dunes of Maine. With the help of 25-30 volunteers for this project, the beach will see a positive build-up down the road, and both parties plan to do it again next year.
“Our coastal ecosystems are incredibly vulnerable, and this is one way we can help the coast adapt to stronger storms and higher sea levels,” said UNE Assistant Professor Will Kochtitzky. “They needed a lot of people to plant the dune grass and UNE is an obvious partner to help get the job done.”
The New England Council commends the University of New England for its participation in coastal restoration efforts and opportunities for student involvement.
Read more via Portland Press Herald and UNE News.