The city of Santa Monica and The Bay Foundation launched an expansion of the Santa Monica Beach Dunes project Wednesday, adding nearly 30 acres of restored natural habitat along local shorelines.
Phase III of the resilience plan will establish dunes along the entirety of Santa Monica Beach, stretching from the Santa Monica Pier to the Venice border. The project provides natural defenses against sea-level rise while enhancing wildlife habitat.
The Bay Foundation established its first dune restoration site in 2016 near the Annenberg Community Beach House, covering approximately three acres, followed by five additional acres in 2024. The new project will nearly double the area of dunes in active restoration, covering nearly 20 percent of the sand.
"Santa Monica's beach is more than an iconic destination, it's a critical piece of our climate resilience," Mayor Caroline Torosis said. "As a city at the forefront of sustainability, Santa Monica is investing in nature-based solutions that strengthen our first line of defense against sea level rise and coastal flooding."
Teams of biologists, landscape crews, volunteers and schoolchildren are establishing borders and planting seeds. Thin metal posts and natural fiber rope mark boundaries while vegetation takes hold. After several years, dunes will reach about three feet tall.
California estimates oceans could rise as much as three feet at local beaches by 2100. Enhanced dunes often provide better protection against erosion and flooding than hard infrastructure like jetties and seawalls.
The California Coastal Commission permitted the work in late 2024. Approximately $3.5 million will support establishment, maintenance and monitoring of the restored dunes.
Volunteers can attend a dune restoration event Saturday from 8:30-11:30 a.m. along the Santa Monica shoreline. Registration and additional opportunities are available at The Bay Foundation's website or santamonica.gov.
Edited by SMDP Staff