Need for beach grass no less, with Hull still in the eye of coastal storms

Last year at this time The Hull Times printed an article about the dunes along Nantasket Beach and how effective they are in mitigating potential flooding in Hull. We submit an article of this nature every year to encourage volunteers to participate in Hull’s Beach Grass Planting Day.  

This is an event hosted annually by the Hull Beach Management Committee, which has seen increased participation in recent years as more people realize how highly vulnerable Hull is to coastal storms and flooding.  

Approximately one week after the 2020 article was published, life in Hull as we know it changed abruptly. COVID-19 began sweeping across the state, the country, and the world with a vengeance and at warp speed. Events were cancelled; businesses were shut down; and the word “quarantine” was used on a daily basis.  

The March 2020 Beach Grass Planting Day event, of course, fell victim to cancellation even though 20,000 beach grass plants had already been paid for and delivered. The Hull BMC notified volunteers that although the event was cancelled the beach grass still needed to be planted. Volunteers were invited to pick up bundles of beach grass and plant on their own. The response to this outreach was somewhat astonishing as virtually all the beach grass was distributed and planted within a week.  

A year has passed and a global pandemic remains prevalent, but Mother Nature could care less. Coastal storms still exist, and the Nantasket Beach dune system still needs maintaining. Additionally, a new stretch of dune was constructed five months ago between Coburn and Adams streets and needs great care. 

With the coronavirus still a threat in 2021, Beach Grass Planting Day will again not be taking place. But since the response to planting solo was so strong last year, the BMC has ordered thousands of beach grass plants again to continue with this important mission. The plants have already arrived and may be planted anytime this month. 

If you are interested in planting beach grass this year, the BMC asks that you contact Conservation Agent Chris Krahforst by emailing ckrahforst@town.hull.ma.us or by phone at 781-925-8102 to arrange for beach grass pickup and for instruction on where planting is needed the most. All beach grass needs to be in the sand by March 31 because piping plover season starts on April 1.  

Speaking of plovers, one final note pertains to them: In 2021 piping plover ambassadors are needed as volunteers to help monitor and protect the existence of the birds. If you have a desire to help the plovers, please call BMC Chairwoman Rhoda Kanet at 781-689-5557.    

Submitted by the Hull Beach Management Committee