Town reports tens of thousands of dune plantings; contractors planting sea oats, panicum to rebuild dunes

Chad, representing Chattahoochee environmental staff, told the council on Sept. 24 that contractors have installed large swaths of dune vegetation across Fort Myers Beach as part of the shore-renourishment effort.

Chad said crews have planted “low-profile” mixes of sea oats, bitter panicum (panicum amarum), railroad vine and dune daisies in large areas, including stretches from Bowditch (transcript: "Vowdich") to Crescent Park and south from near Wyndham to Island’s End. He estimated the effort involves “tens of thousands, if not over 100,000” plants, with many properties participating under easements tied to the renourishment project.

Chad said the plantings are intended to trap sand and rebuild dunes over time: “both the sea oats and the bitter panicum grasses ... catch sand” and, with repeated rainy seasons, the dune profile will grow. He said crews are using 4-inch liners and some one-gallon sea-oat stock; plants will look more established after the upcoming rainy season but may take multiple seasons to appear “mature.”

Town staff said property owners who did not sign easements were not automatically included in the planting program, but owners could request plantings; state and Tourist Development Council funding is available to support additional plantings for property owners who request them.

Councilors asked whether residents could help water plantings; staff advised letting the plantings establish naturally because the contractors apply hydration gels and starter amendments at planting. Staff said they will mark accesses with stakes and consider signage to keep people off new dune plantings.

The town did not provide a precise total plant count; the contractor’s estimate was given in meeting remarks. Staff said the planting contract’s original completion date is roughly October (weather permitting) but that additional property requests could extend work.