Sand dunes are far more than just beautiful coastal landscapes. They’re important sanctuaries for an incredible array of important plants and animals – from rare toads and lizards to butterflies and orchids. They are also important for communities as recreational spaces allowing personal connection with nature, and as places filled with historic and cultural heritage.

In recent years, coastal sand dunes have become increasingly overgrown with vegetation and smothered by invasive plants. This has led to many of the natural bare sand and low grassland areas, which lots of specialist dune wildlife needs to survive, becoming over stabilised. As these habitats are lost, biodiversity is also lost. Dynamic Dunescapes and Sands of LIFE are working to restore sand dune habitats to support biodiversity and keep these special spaces accessible to communities.

If you don’t live near one of our planned event sites, you can still get involved!

Set off in search of wildlife along your own local coastline or perhaps organize a sand dune litter pick near you. If you’d like to host your own event as part of World Sand Dune Day, let us know what you’re planning by emailing dynamicdunescapes@naturalengland.org.uk and be sure to tag us in your photos of the day @dynamicdunes and use #WorldSandDuneDay.

Please keep an eye on both projects’ Twitter accounts @DynamicDunes and @TwyniByw for future updates.