HERALD-TRIBUNE: Keep Manatee Beautiful seeks volunteers to help with AMI restoration

Keep Manatee Beautiful seeks 300 volunteers for a major sea oat planting and sand dune restoration on Coquina Beach in July.

The goal is to plant 12,000 sea oats to restore and fortify the protective dunes along Anna Maria Island’s coastline, bolstering coastal defenses before the peak of hurricane season.

“Sand dunes and sea oats are the Island's natural armor,” said Jennifer Hoffman, Keep Manatee Beautiful’s executive director. “They absorb wind, block surf and reduce flooding. With hurricane season intensifying each year, we need to take action now.”

Co-sponsors are the Anna Maria Garden Club, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach, and the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

When: Saturday, July 26, 7 a.m.

Where: Coquina Beach parking lot near AMI’s southern tip.

Details: Tools and planting materials are provided, but bring water, sunscreen, gloves and closed-toe shoes.

Sign up: Volunteers can register on the Eventbrite page; visit the Keep Manatee Beautiful's event page; call 941-795-8272; or email: keep@manateebeautiful.com