The Shifting Shore: Understanding Barrier Beaches (Duxbury)

Barrier beaches are among the most dynamic landscapes on Earth, constantly shaped by erosion, deposition, and seasonal forces that redraw the shoreline year after year. On this guided walk at Duxbury Beach, observe the evidence of coastal geology in action, learning how the beach functions as a protective barrier for inland communities and a critical habitat for nesting birds, shellfish, and dune plants. Explore the human and environmental pressures that threaten this balance—from erosion-accelerating activities to climate-driven sea level rise—and discover how conservation and careful management work to maintain it. Mass Audubon is grateful for the generosity of the Duxbury Beach Reservation Inc. for funding this program and for their service and dedication to protecting the critical resource we know as Duxbury Beach.