RISE’s work scope includes hiring and training a designated "Dune Squad" to assist with planting native coastal plant species and removing invasive plants from the dune area that is part of "Greater Rockaway" Coastal Resilience Plan.

The Dune Squad program addresses the threats that invasive pests pose to New York’s environment and supports training that is focused on researching control methods, propagating and planting native coastal plants, managing invasive populations, and educating the public about native and invasive plant species for mitigation efforts.

RISE offers paid jobs to local residents who are interested in doing restoration and maintenance and in learning about coastal plant species. We will grow these plant species in the new Native Plant Nursery at Beach 44th Street, and we will plant them in the Rockaway dune preserve later in the season.

Check out our upcoming dune cleanups and plantings at Events. To learn more about this work or to apply to join the Dune Squad, e-mail programs@riserockaway.org.