Little NaNa Dune planting and the North Florida Land Trust

Volunteers for the North Florida Land Trust worked together with the community to plant stabilizing vegetation on Little NaNa Dune at American Beach on May 15, 2026. Little NaNa Dune is owned by the North Florida Land Trust. The larger NaNa dune is managed by the National Park Service as part of the Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve. The NaNa Dune is the tallest in Florida.

I was able to ask Sarah Hande, the Director of Strategic Communications for the North Florida Community Land Trust, a few questions about her organization and the planting project at Little NaNa Dune.

Angela Ray: Please tell me a little about the North Florida Land Trust.

Sarah Hande: North Florida Land Trust (NFLT) is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to protect North Florida’s quality of life through acquisition and restoration of its irreplaceable lands. Founded in 1999, NFLT has protected more than 100,000 acres throughout Northeast Florida and the Ocala to Osceola Wildlife Corridor. NFLT is funded largely by private contributions and grants and works closely with willing landowners, public agencies at all levels of government, not-for-profit partners, and foundations.

AR: How did the North Florida Land Trust become involved in the restoration of NaNa Dune?

SH: Little NaNa Dune and the adjacent NaNa Dune are outliers in the southern part of the island in that they remain nearly intact. On much of Amelia Island, particularly the central and southern portions, a large part of this ancient dune system has been lost to, or permanently altered by, human development. In 2020, NFLT was alerted to the potential development of the three parcels of land that make up the Little NaNa Dune system in the American Beach community. In early 2021, as part of its Amelia Forever campaign, NFLT was able to acquire and permanently protect these parcels. The 1.5-acre Little NaNa Dune may be small in area, but it holds outsized importance in helping to protect a portion of the increasingly rare, intact ancient dune system of the island. That this habitat remained intact and available for protection is largely a result of the unique historic and cultural legacy of the American Beach community.

AR: What is the goal of the planting project? Can you describe what types of plants and how many will be added to the dune?

SH: To stabilize the dune and slow the surface wind shear. We will be planting 300-400 sea oat plugs at Little NaNa Dune. Sea oats are the most widespread grass on southern coastal dunes. They are drought-resistant and especially hardy plants. Once established, sea oats can withstand high winds and can even trap wind-blown sand. They have root networks that provide stability deep into the dune as well. Sea oats are protected by law—it is illegal to pick, pull, or destroy sea oats.

AR: How will you manage volunteers, maintaining a minimal impact on the fragile dune system?

SH: The focus of the planting will not be on the upper and more fragile structure of the dune but rather in the basin where erosion has been focused. 

AR: Will this be an ongoing project?

SH: This is the second major planting occurring at Little NaNa, the first being about four years ago. As dunes are a natural feature, restoration efforts will be ongoing as needed in the future. 

AR: How can the public help with projects like these, and how can the public support the NFLT in general?

SH: The best way to help is to become a member of NFLT! Annual membership starts at $45 and comes with many benefits, one being members get first dibs on volunteer opportunities. Another way the public can help is by following us on social media and sharing our messages with friends and family. The more people know about our work and what we do, the more effective we can be. The Florida landscapes we protect today are the Florida landscapes we will have tomorrow.

AR: Are there other upcoming projects like this one that could be mentioned?

SH: Please follow our social media and sign up for our emails. We first announce volunteer opportunities through email and then on social media. We typically slow down in summer due to the heat but in fall things will ramp back up and there will be many opportunities to get out in the field with us.

Thank you, Sarah, for sharing!