The Coast Care planting season is coming to an end, but it's not too late for Western Bay locals to do their bit for the beaches they love.

Coast Care co-ordinator for the Western Bay of Plenty, Paul Greenshields, says there's still about 2000 plants to go into the dunes near Omanu before the end of September.

'We'd love to see more locals at our last planting days on Sundays 20 and 27 September. It's a great opportunity to spend a couple of hours in the fresh air with like-minded locals.”

Paul says the planting sessions start at 10am, take about two hours, and volunteers are rewarded with a cuppa and a muffin afterwards.

'Parents are welcome to bring their children along. All you need to bring is covered sturdy footwear, clothing suitable for the weather and gardening gloves. Your favourite spade is optional.”

Anyone wishing to volunteer should meet at access way 6.5 on Ocean Beach Rd (between Concord Ave and Girven Road). The meeting point will be marked with Coast Care flags.

Paul says native dune plants help to bind sand onto the beach and stabilise the dunes.

'Without good sand-binding plants in place, the sand blows away; causing erosion to nearby properties, loss of habitat for coastal wildlife and less beach area for people to enjoy.”

He says locals can also help care for the dunes every time they use the beach by keeping to marked access ways, limiting vehicle use, and playing on the flatter beach areas.

'That way they'll avoid damaging dune plants and weakening the dunes.”

The Coast care programme is delivered through a partnership between Bay of Plenty Regional Council, four coastal district and city councils (Western Bay of Plenty, Tauranga, Opotiki and Whakatane) and Department of Conservation.

Find out more at www.boprc.govt.nz/coastcare