Uniola paniculata, Seaside oats

The tapestry and subtle lines of the natural landscape of Sea Oats on the eastern seaboard coastline is both important and attractive. Variations of earthtone colors, sizes and textures line the beach banks in grandeur perfection. Paired with a backdrop of a blue sky and the big blue ocean – Extraordinary!

Sea oats

Sea Oats, a living plant is protected in most states due to its location and habitat. These beautiful plants help protect our shoreline by holding sand and soil in place during extreme weather events such as tropical storms and hurricanes. These plants can actually catch blowing sand, who knew?

Shoreline Sea Oats

And let’s not forget that beaches are always moving which makes Sea Oats “endangered”. Occasionally, I see people attempting to pull the plants from the beach to take with them, not a good idea… They are an important part of the ecosystem that keep the natural habitat healthy.

Sea Oats

Beach season is approaching quickly, and thousands of visitors will pour onto the coastline to enjoy the long-awaited day offs and family vacations. Considering how brutally cold the winter, it’s predicted to be a busier than ever beach season. Everyone is ready for some fun in the sun and beach time.

The ocean is a tremendous gift, a treasure, positioned as the heartbeat of summer. It’s up to us, you and me to keep it clean and abide by essential regulations.

There is something everyone can do to contribute to protecting the beaches. Small things like disposing all your trash in designated areas. I cringe when I see people bury their cans in the sand or throw bottles in the sea oats. 😦 And be warned, I go ballistic when I see people smoking on the beach. (Where do you think they dispose of the butts? ). It’s so sad…

I am the crazy lady who might just speak up, yikes, yes. I can’t control myself. My vehicle displays a license tag that declares, Protect our Oceans. How about you? Can you think of a way to influence, protection of coastline treasures? Will you be visiting the beach, summer 2015?

Enjoy the coastline and take a second to look at the Sea Oats quietly on the sidelines, swaying and dancing, playing its part in the ecosystem.

Happy trails
Donna George