How to organise a dune restoration workday

A dune restoration workday needs more than volunteers and tools. Start by defining the area, the work objective and the permissions required, then coordinate the tasks with grounds management before inviting people. Registration gives you the numbers for teams, gloves, goggles, food and drinks. On the day, keep arrival, briefing, equipment and work zones clearly separated so volunteers can start safely and finish without leaving litter or materials behind.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

1
Define scope and objective
2 people
2
Arrange permission for the dune area
3
Coordinate tasks with grounds management
2 people
4
Check insurance and safety rules
5
Send invitations
2 people
6
Process registrations
2 people
7
Collect dietary requirements
8
Assign volunteer lists and teams
2 people
9
Reserve a waste container
10
Reserve tools
11
Check food and drink supplies
2 people
12
Check the shopping list
2 people
13
Do the shopping
2 people
14
Store fresh food refrigerated
2 people
15
Send participant information
16
Check the weather forecast and site
2 people

Event

17
Bring materials to the work area
4 people
18
Set up reception and registration point
3 people
19
Build the catering point
3 people
20
Prepare tools for each team
4 people
21
Mark walkways and work areas
3 people
22
Give a Safety and Site Briefing
3 people
23
Register volunteers
3 people
24
Hand out work gloves and safety goggles
3 people
25
Collect Litter
12 people
26
Remove invasive growth
12 people
27
Plant dune grass and native plants
12 people
28
Shield sand drifts with branches
8 people
29
Sort waste by type
3 people
30
Refill drinks
2 people
31
Serve coffee and tea
2 people
32
Distribute snack breaks
2 people
33
Check the Work Results Together
4 people
34
Collect and count tools
4 people
35
Refill the handwashing station
36
Prepare meal
4 people
37
Serve dinner
4 people
38
Wash dishes
3 people
39
Leave the work area clean
6 people
40
Dismantle the catering point
3 people
41
Remove Lighting and Signage
3 people
42
Take waste to the collection point
3 people
43
Load and transport materials
5 people
44
Clean the venue and restroom area
3 people

Aftercare

45
Clean Borrowed Tools
3 people
46
Return tools
2 people
47
Store reusable materials
2 people
48
Check waste disposal
49
Send thank-you message to participants
50
Report damage or leftover materials

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 20
Tableclothsqty 8

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Kettlesqty 2
Sound system
Extension cordsqty 4

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
Battery lanternsqty 6

Tools

Shovelsqty 15
Hoesqty 10
Rakesqty 12
Scoopsqty 8
Hand sawsqty 4
Pruning shearsqty 8
Wheelbarrowsqty 6
Bucketsqty 12
Plant stakesqty 15

Safety

Work glovesqty 60
Safety gogglesqty 30
Reflective vestsqty 12
First aid kitsqty 2
Tick removerqty 2
Sunscreen dispensersqty 2

Grounds

Barrier tapeqty 4
Conesqty 20
Information boardsqty 6
Directional signsqty 8
Wooden pegsqty 60
Jute Twineqty 4
Native dune plantsqty 250
Biodegradable Plant Potsqty 250

Waste

Litter pickersqty 15
Trash grabbersqty 10
Waste binsqty 8

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 80
Reusable soup bowlsqty 60
Reusable platesqty 60
Reusable cutleryqty 70
Serving spoonsqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6

Kitchen

Soup kettlesqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Serving plattersqty 8
Jerry cans for drinking waterqty 6

Cleaning

Washing-up basinsqty 4
Spongesqty 12
Hand soap dispensersqty 3
Towel rollsqty 6

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Secure permission and site coordination before sending invitations. Confirm the work area, permitted activities, access route, waste arrangements and any safety rules with the responsible grounds manager.
Set a registration deadline at least 7 days before the workday. Use the final list to assign teams, record dietary requirements and prepare enough gloves, safety goggles, reflective vests and drinking water.
Prepare the site as a simple flow: directional signs lead volunteers to reception, cones and barrier tape separate walkways from work areas, and information boards show where each team starts.
Give the safety and site briefing before handing out tools. Cover dune access limits, safe use of shovels, rakes, saws and wheelbarrows, tick checks, sun protection, first aid and what to do with collected litter.
Check the forecast and site conditions again 24 hours beforehand. Keep fresh food refrigerated, protect the catering point with a tent where needed, and delay or adapt the work if wind, heat or wet ground makes the planned tasks unsafe.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I organise a dune restoration workday?: Start 4 to 6 weeks ahead so there is time to obtain permission, coordinate the work area, reserve tools and arrange waste collection. Close volunteer registrations about 7 days before the event to finalise teams and supplies.
How do I organise volunteers for dune restoration?: Register everyone before the workday and divide the final list into small teams with a clear task and leader. Prepare the team assignments at least 2 days in advance, then confirm them again during the site briefing.
What should happen when volunteers arrive?: Allow 15 to 20 minutes for registration, issuing safety equipment and directing people to their teams. Give the safety and site briefing before work begins, rather than explaining rules separately at each tool station.
When should I check the weather and dune site?: Check the forecast and access conditions 24 hours before the workday, then make a final check on the morning itself. Strong wind, extreme heat, standing water or damaged access routes may require a changed schedule or safer alternative work.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.