"The beaches are raked within the guarded swimming areas of the County parks where most beach goers tend to congregate. We prefer to leave as much of the coastline as possible in its natural state. The organic material washed up on our beaches provides habitat for animals living along the shore and fertilizer for dune plants. The next time you are out on the beach, watch the shore birds and ghost crabs feeding along the weed line. Note how the weeds tend to get buried by wind-blown sand up by the dune line and see how the dune plants spread out to meet the enriched soil."  -Special thank you to Daniel Bates, Program Supervisor for PBC Environmental Enhancement and Restoration Division