Coast organizations team up to plant beach grass to protect Least Tern chicks

With nesting season right around the corner, Audubon partnered with Harrison County Sand Beach Authority and Gulfport High School to restore habitat along the beach in Harrison County.

They all came together to install several species of beach grasses into the restoration area in order to stabilize the beach, encourage dune formation, and provide coverage for newly hatched Least Tern chicks.

Four-hundred linear feet of sea oats, bitter panic grass, and Gulf Bluestem were installed. Vegetation is particularly important to newly hatched Least Tern chicks, who rely on these plants for shade as well as protection. Gulfport High student Bradford Cameron said, “I think it is important to do this because it really helps the wild life out a lot. It keeps the smaller birds safe and all their eggs and stuff safe out here.”

Gulfport High student Carter Walker said, “I learned that there is a gel. It’s called hydro gel which is used to help water the plants or I guess nutrition them.”

The project was made possible by a ‘Caring for our Coasts Grant’ issued by Citgo and Restore America’s Estuaries.