Coast and Climate / Climate Action Program in NH
The Chapter is currently working with the Town of Hampton Conservation Commission to rebuild Hampton's Plaice Cove / Northside Park coastal dune system. This is a project that started as the result of severe damage caused by a storm in the winter of 2024. The front and or seaward side of the dune experienced severe scarping where the front of the dune was eroded leaving only a steep cliff.
The area impacted from North to South is over 30 feet and easily 12 feet East to West and vertically about 6 feet. This scalping combined with other environmental issues over the past few years and overwash from the January 2024 storm and other storms compromised several interior sections of the once flourishing dune. In the spring of 2025 the Chapter working with NH SeaGrant planted over 4000 American Beach Grass ( Ammophila breviligulata ) shoots at Northside Park and other areas of Plaice Cove.
The goal was for these shoots to take root over the summer, fall and winter and help prepare for a rebuild. The rebuild of the seaward facing side of the dune is set to take place in the spring of 2026. Once sand and some rock is added and considered stable the chapter along with NH SeaGrant will begin to plan more American Beach Grass shoots. Stay tuned for more information about progress on this project and call for help plantingof the dune (East facing side) was completed Ammophila breviligulata ( American Beach Grass).
Find out more here - https://seagrant.unh.edu/projects/healthy-coastal-ecosystems/coastal-habitat-restoration/common-garden-native-sand-dune-plants
- Chair Chris Grippo
