ANNA MARIA – More than 300 Build Back the Beach volunteers planted nearly 30,000 native plants along the hurricane-ravaged Anna Maria shoreline between Bean Point and Sycamore Avenue last weekend.
Lakewood Ranch and part-time Anna Maria residents Cindy and Tryn Stimart initiated and organized the ambitious beach replanting effort and Oyster River Ecology Executive Director Damon Moore donated his plant knowledge and technical expertise.
As part of the project-related fundraising efforts, the Stimarts pledged to match half of the donations needed to cover the nearly $30,000 spent to purchase the plants.
Divided into two three-hour shifts on Jan. 25 and a third shift on Jan. 26, the volunteers planted sea oats, panic grass, railroad vine (also known as morning glory) and dune sunflowers.
Using a rechargeable battery-powered drill and auger, volunteers dug small holes in the beach sand to soon be filled with plant gel and plants.
While digging holes in the sand Saturday afternoon, Bradenton-based Filters Done Right owner Dawn Zimmerman said, “I’ve been coming here since I was 21 years old. It’s the least I can do to give back to such a beautiful place where I’ve made so many memories.”
During the Saturday afternoon shift, Tryn Stimart said the planting project started at the tip of Bean Point earlier that morning and each shift planted approximately 9,000 plants in a 10-12-foot wide swath that extends for a mile along the Anna Maria shoreline.
The Beach Bums rental shop on Pine Avenue provided the golf carts that transported volunteers to and from the worksite. The Center of Anna Maria Island helped recruit and coordinate the volunteers and Executive Director Chris Culhane spent time Saturday transporting volunteers and planting plants.
When asked why they embarked on this mission, Cindy Stimart said, “I’m doing this because I love Anna Maria Island. I’ve been coming here since I was a little kid. I walked this beach as a toddler and now it’s part of our home.
“After the hurricanes, when the people were taken care of and on the road to recovery, we wanted to help repair the beach that had been severely eroded. It started as an idea in our house but it could not have happened without our incredible team and this incredible community that came out to help,” she said.
As their Saturday afternoon shift wound down, Chicago natives and part-time Island-area residents Carol Golder and Pascal Berthou explained their desire to participate.
“I saw the devastation and anything that saves the Island is good for us,” Golder said.
“It’s the right thing to do,” Berthou added.
While placing a plant in the ground, Jamie Telke was asked what brought her out that day.
“Because I love Bean Point,” she said.
Working next to her, Posie Haeger said, “Because I love Anna Maria and I want to help in any way I can.”
Learn more about the Stimart family’s various community impact projects at www.goodguardianscollective.com.
Related coverage: Stimart family launches Build Back the Beach project
