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Design a Sign, Protect a Dune



You’ve helped us design signs that will help beach-goers remember to stay off the dunes.




Thank You!

Delaware’s Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay Coastal Dunes are vital in our defense against coastal storms. Dunes are also important natural habitats for plants and animals. If dunes are going to be strong enough to protect us, we need to protect them. Staying off of dunes along the coastline is an important way to do so.

We Held a Contest

Over the summer of 2019, the Shoreline and Waterway Management Section held a “Keep Off the Dunes” sign contest, which invited the public to submit eye-catching and effective original artwork and messaging to remind beachgoers of the importance of protecting Delaware’s vibrant but fragile dune system. Thirty six entries were judged by Section staff, in three categories: Kids, Teens, and Adults.

First, second, and third place winners were selected in each category.


Adult Category


First Place, Angela R. Mitchell
(Chesapeake Beach, MD)

A sign design reading "Water are you dune? Keep Off.

Second Place, Jane Mruk
(Odessa)

A sign design reading "Don't Dune It"

Third Place, Gregory Young
(Wilmington)

A sign design showing teh words "Keep off Dunes" over a drawing of dunes with grass on them.

Teen Category


First Place, Amanda Silar
(Sussex Technical High School)

A sign design with the words "Enjoy the view from here, not on the dunes.

Second Place, Ally Collier
(Sussex Technical High School)

A sign design showing teh words "Stayy off the dunes" and a bird with a speech bubble saying, "this is my house, not your runway."

Third Place, Nadjina Bogle
(Sussex Technical High School)

A sign design showing a UFO and the words "Humans on the dunes disappear."

Kids Category


First Place, Lily Reed
(Felton)

Sign design showing a crab and the words "Keep off the dunes"

Second Place, Ava Shilling
(Hereford, MD)

A sign design showing a drawing of dunes and the words "do not walk on dunes."

Third Place, Sydney Penttinen
(Hereford, MD)

A sign design showing a drawing of dunes and the words "protect the dunes."

Winning entries were displayed at the University of Delaware’s 2019 Coast Day, on October 6, in Lewes. The winning artwork may be reproduced as signs and placed near dunes along Delaware’s coastline.

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