Cape Fear Surfrider hosts 10th annual Holiday Tree Dune Replenishment

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — The Cape Fear Surfrider Foundation held their 10th annual Holiday Tree Dune Replenishment on Saturday.  

Volunteers took truckloads of dried Christmas trees and buried them under the sand to slow erosion on the dunes.  The dunes are vital during coastal storms, keeping flood waters on the beach and off residential land. 

Cape Fear Surfrider Chair Keni Rienks said while the trees won’t stop the erosion on their own, they are a natural alternative to artificial flood walls. 

“While the Christmas trees certainly aren’t stopping the beach erosion, it is a moment of trying to slow the process and do it in a way that doesn’t involve a lot of money,” Rienks explained. 

The event also helps return Christmas tree waste in the environment—and keeping it out of landfills. 

“A lot of the areas around Wilmington do a really good job at trying to keep yard waste out of landfills,” Rienks noted. “But the fact remains that a lot of our yard waste does go into our landfill.”  

Rienks said that the Cape Fear Surfriders had more than 100 volunteers sign up for the event, and that many more showed up to do their part. 

“As you look around and you see everybody here, just the excitement, and it’s people of all ages,” Rienks said. “Families, students, retirees, locals, people kind of come in all the way from Brunswick County.” 

And for Holly Shelter Surf Club President Maggie Bryant, the event is an opportunity to protect the beach she loves—and having fun doing it. 

“It just means so much to us being able to help our environment and keep our beaches clean for our family and friends,” Bryant said. “It’s just so nice, and it’s so much fun,”