The area of sand dunes contained within Seafield Commonage has reduced in size by just over 32%, with much of this land erosion occurring in the last decade. Why is this happening? A combination of factors is at play. Erosion from wind and wave action in addition to human activity on the dunes is at the centre of this coastal erosion story.

Members of Seafield Conservation Forum have gotten together to investigate what can be done to mitigate the coastal erosion risks faced by our community. Fortunately, we have learned there is quite a lot we can do, when approaching the problem from a nature-based solutions perspective.

As part of our journey towards finding solutions, in April/May 2024 three volunteers from Seafield Conservation Forum undertook training in sand dune conservation methods. This programme “Beaches and Dunes Community Climate Adaptation Training” was delivered by Leave No Trace Ireland in association with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, University of Galway, and Atlantic Seaboard North Climate Action Regional Office.

When invited to do so, Seafield Conservation Forum members also took the opportunity earlier in 2024, to feed into the draft reporting process leading to the Climate Change Advisory Council report, which contains coastal community recommendations.

What does all this training and engagement mean?

We have the good fortune to be able to access the best expertise in the country when trying to determine what actions need to be taken to protect Seafield’s beaches and sand dunes into the future. These actions are being consolidated into the Community Biodiversity Action Plan expertly developed by Phoebe O’Brien with funding support from Community Foundation Ireland.

The reason we can garner this support is because experts in ecology, botany, geomorphology and climate adaptation can clearly see how much danger Seafield is in. Without the sand dunes there are no beaches. Without the beaches, there are no sand dunes. In a nutshell, without sand dune conservation Seafield as we know it today will cease to exist.

What are we doing about it?

Seafield Conservation Forum has received permission from the National Parks and Wildlife Service to undertake a set of actions at Seafield sand dunes, designed to mitigate coastal erosion risks. Sand fencing, including temporary chestnut sand fencing, marram grass planting, and removal of cars, campervans, camping and campfires from sand dunes plays a central role in the conservation work we are undertaking in the coming years. This work will not impede the wider local community of people travelling to and enjoying the beaches. So, for the wider community, it is business as usual in Seafield.

Seafield sand dunes is not a free motorhome and campsite. It’s private farmland and the work we undertake in the Forum is very respectful of this fact. If we are to address coastal erosion, everyone has a part they can play. Seafield sand dunes not alone provides us with beautiful beaches, it also protects the land and homes at the back of it from coastal flooding. If we don’t protect the sand dunes, there will be nothing to protect us from being flooded. There are no magic tricks we can use to stop the sea flowing onshore. No walls we can conveniently build that will enable the beaches to be sustained. We either work with nature and protect it, or we start planning for coastal retreat. We see what has and is happening around our coast and in coastal communities in the UK.

Follow the Forum’s progress through this website or stay up to date on development via Facebook and Instagram.