Volunteers Work Together To Protect Tiana Beach Dunes

Near 45 volunteers from three organizations came together this week to help secure the dunes at Tiana Beach in Hampton Bays, which was battered by Superstorm Sandy a year ago.

The project, according to the Town of Southampton, resulted in the planting of 30,000 beach grass plants that officials say will bolster the dune structures behind, and to the east and west of the Tiana Beach pavilion.

The project was spearheaded by Romi Sloan and Kym Smith, founders of the Hamptons Hurricane Relief Fund, an organization that was formed to help those in need after Superstorm Sandy. 

Sloan and Smith, the town said partnered with NY Media Cares, a New York City-based organization comprised of individuals in the media industry, who provide hands on hurricane relief services and the Independent Group Home Living organization also to complete the project over the past week. 

In addition to planting beach grass, which has roots that forming a web, anchoring and reinforcing dune structures, the town has  installed snow fencing along the beach to help stabilize and build up the dunes.

“Though we were fortunate in many ways on the East End, our shorelines took a battering during Hurricane Sandy and we’re still grappling with the resulting damage and erosion,” said Councilman Chris Nuzzi, the town’s liaison to Parks and Recreation.  “It’s vital that we strengthen and nurture our protective dune systems, particularly along Dune Road, which serves as the barrier to our inland structures.”