Dune Doctors

09/01/2026

🌊🌾 Are you familiar with Florida’s Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL) Program? 🌾🌊

The CCCL Program, managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, plays a critical role in protecting our coast—regulating construction and activities that could cause erosion, destabilize dunes, damage nesting habitat, or impact public beach access.

Any work that alters the sand or landscaping seaward of the CCCL (shown as the red line in the image) is subject to stricter regulations and requires a permit before moving forward.

Why? Because this area faces the greatest storm forces—and responsible design helps protect both coastal properties and the natural dune systems that defend them. 🌊🏖️

📍 Do you know where the CCCL falls on your Gulf-front property?
Reach out to our team, and we’ll provide you with your CCCL aerial so you can plan with confidence.

08/25/2026

What would it cost to rebuild your dunes after a major storm?

Our Dune Reconstruction Budget (DRB) provides property owners with a clear estimate for full dune restoration if a hurricane erodes your established protective dune. The goal behind the DRB is to help you plan ahead and avoid costly surprises. Being prepared can also allow you to take advantage of special post-storm permitting conditions, potentially saving tens of thousands during the recovery process while empowering you to quickly access sand avoiding long wait times.

The goal of the DRB is to outline a comprehensive budget that includes:
✔️ Debris removal
✔️ Sand placement
✔️ Native plant installation
✔️ Boardwalk construction

All designed for efficient recovery and a faster return to enjoying your recreational beach.

This proactive approach turns uncertainty into a planned investment, so you’re ready to rebuild quickly when it matters most. Reach out to Dune Doctors today at 866-386-3737 to request a DRB for your records.

Be prepared before the storm—not after.

The image was captured in Walton County following Hurricane Sally in 2020.

08/11/2026

What is the ROI for investing in your protective dune?

According to FM Global, every $1 invested in hurricane preparedness can reduce loss exposure by an average of $105.

This finding comes from a large-scale study analyzing over 10,000 preparedness investments and 1,800 client reports over more than a decade—proving that planning ahead isn’t just smart, it’s cost-effective.

When it comes to coastal protection, waiting until after a storm can be far more expensive than taking action now.

Therefore, investing in your protective dune increases your protection levels against coastal flooding, salt water intrusion, and revenue loss resulting from property closure.

🌊 Invest in a Dune Master PlanTM
🌾 Build resilience overtime with a Dune Maintenance Program
🏖️ Protect your property from destructive waves

Because when it comes to hurricanes—success favors the prepared.

08/04/2026

The Dune Master Plan™: A Strategic Way to Build and Strengthen Coastal Dunes

You would not wait until a hurricane is coming to prepare—your dunes shouldn’t either. Therefore, our primary offering at Dune Doctors is the Dune Master Plan™ a proactive, long-term strategy designed to build stronger, more resilient coastal protection for Gulf-front properties.

Split into four phases, here is how it works:

1️⃣ Preservation – The foundation
We restore dune health by removing debris and invasive species, strengthening root systems, and promoting native growth.

2️⃣ Protection – The core of resiliency
We install turtle-friendly sand fences and native vegetation to build a new “sand bank”—a sacrificial barrier that captures sand, reduces erosion, and absorbs storm surge before it reaches your property.

3️⃣ Optimization – Strengthening the system
We assess erosion risks and enhance dune performance with strategic planting and sand placement to accelerate recovery and stability of your existing dune.

4️⃣ Maintenance – Long-term success
Through ongoing care, monitoring, and seasonal treatments, we ensure your dune system and developing berm stay healthy, clean, and storm-ready year after year.

🌊 Strong dunes don’t happen overnight! They’re built with a plan.

Start your path to coastal resiliency today and reach out to our team to obtain a Dune Master Plan™ today.

07/28/2026

What is a Dune Health Assessment?

One of the most common questions we hear is: “Are my dunes as strong as they can be?”

The first step to determining the vitality of your dune is to obtain a Dune Health Assessment. During this site visit, our team evaluates your dune system to identify erosion-prone areas, weak spots, and opportunities for improvement—so you can better protect your property and shoreline from destructive wave action. A few issues we look for include unvegetated bare areas throughout the dune, broken sand fences, wind erosion, and the buildup of dead plant material along the surface of the dune.

Ready to strengthen your dunes? Have our team come conduct a free Dune Health Assessment!

Would you like to kick start the evaluation? Fill out this Dune Diagnostic Form.

Dune Diagnostic Form is the first step toward a successful coastal restoration to know exactly what services you need.

07/27/2026

Our week is off to a great start! 🐢 South Walton Turtle Watch

Look at what our team encountered while restoring coastal dunes in South Walton today!
A beautiful sea turtle left these tracks as she waddled into the dunes to build a nest for her future hatchlings.

This is your friendly reminder that healthy dunes do so much more than protect against destructive flooding. They're also critical habitat for some of our most incredible (and endangered) animals.

Here's to wishing this nest a peaceful incubation and a safe journey to the Gulf when the tiny hatchlings make their big debut.

A huge thank you to the dedicated sea turtle patrol teams up and down the coast who spend countless early mornings tracking and protecting these amazing animals. Your hard work gives the next generation of sea turtles a fighting chance!

07/23/2026

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has confirmed that an active investigation is underway regarding the reported storage of beach chairs within the dunes during Tropical Storm Bertha. Thank you to the dozens of Coastal Stewards who notified our team. We deeply appreciate your commitment to protecting and preserving Florida's native coastal ecosystems.

Photos originally posted by Shoreline Defender

07/21/2026

⭐ Employee Spotlight: Virginia "Ginny" Lawrence ⭐

Ginny Lawrence was a teacher for 17 years before joining Dune Doctors in 2017. With her dynamic background in classroom management, she successfully encourages waterfront communities to implement our long-term Dune Maintenance Program. As the Office Manager, she supports our field team and helps 90+ coastal property owners and managers stay up-to-date on the progress of their dune ecosystem. Ginny practices Pilates and enjoys being outside with her surfer husband and their sweet pups Max and Daisy.

Thank you, Ginny for keeping our Admin in order! We are grateful for you!

07/14/2026

🌾 Grandview Community: Building Coastal Resilience One Row at a Time 🌾

After Hurricane Ivan in 2004 caused severe erosion at Grandview, the community partnered with Dune Doctors to restore their dune ecosystem. They began by installing the first row of sand fences with native vegetation to capture wind-blown sand and stabilize it with deep, web-like roots. Over time, they continued working with Dune Doctors adding three additional rows, each installed with vegetation to anchor accumulating sand.

This strategic, phased approach gradually expanded the dune system by over 100 feet, creating a multi-rowed dune field. Each row functions like a “speed bump” for storm surge, slowing waves and reducing erosion before water reaches homes and infrastructure.

The power of layering became clear during Hurricane Sally, when only the newest row of fences was damaged. The older, vegetated rows held firm, demonstrating how sand fences build dune width and strength over time—turning each layer into a barrier that slows down destructive storm surge.

How do sand fences work:
✅ Expands dune width
✅ Stabilizes sand with native vegetation
✅ Absorbs storm surge and protects property

By combining careful planning, phased sand fence installation, and native plants, Grandview created a resilient, long-lasting coastal defense that continues to protect the community today. 🌊💙