Master Gardeners from throughout the county are invited to the shores of Oak Island this summer to gather beach rock deposited in the sands during the 2001 Sea Turtle Habitat Project, in an environmental initiative sponsored by Oak Island Beach Preservation to rid the beach of the stone to provide an unobstructed strand for beachgoers and turtle nesters.
At the same time, Oak Island MGs have the opportunity to shine by gathering the rock and using it creatively in the Beach Preservation group’s first ever Beach Rock Landscape & Design Contest, which runs from July 1 to Aug. 31 and seeks to reward Oak Island residents who use the unwanted rock in gardens or landscaping projects, for example to outline planting beds or walkways, or to build structures or artistic projects, integrating the rocks with trees, shrubs, flowers and other decorative materials.
The most unique and creative project will be awarded a $150.00 Grand Prize of $100 towards pavers or flagstone materials from Bianchi’s Brickyard Supply plus $50 cash from Beach Preservation. 2nd Prize is a $50 Gift Certificate from Stewart’s Hardware & Garden Center. 3rd Prize is a $25 Gift Certificate from Bridgers Landscape & Garden Center. All entrants will be mailed a coupon for 10% off up to $200.00 in garden merchandise from Lowe’s Home Center, Southport.
Composed of a mixture of limestone and clays and some embedded shells, the naturally beautiful beach rock ranges from the size of golf balls to foot-long boulders. It surfaces mainly between 20th and 50th streets SE, accessed by turning left towards the beach at the second traffic light at 58th Street. It is easiest to collect at low tide and is especially abundant following tropical storms.
Complete contest rules and entry blanks are at OI Town Hall and OI Recreation Center. Judging will be held in September with awards made October 14 at “Celebrate Oak Island.” Entrants do not need to be present to win.
For more information, call Fred or Elizabeth Mina at 278-6205 or visit www.oakislandbeachpreservation.org.
