West LA Times

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (March 15, 2024) — Santa Monica successfully completed Phase 2 of the Santa Monica Beach Restoration Project Thursday, which will further restore natural dune habitat on Santa Monica beach just south of the Annenberg Community Beach House.

"Following a successful first phase pilot program that restored three acres of beach dunes, the second phase aims to expand to an additional five acres of native coastal strand habitat."

This week’s kickoff included installing post, rope and sand fencing to restrict beach city-operated grooming at the site, planting seeds of California native vegetation to promote dune growth and adding interpretive signage to educate the public about the project and the environmental benefits of native coastal habitats.

"As a key initiative advancing the city’s Sustainable & Connected strategic priority, the dune restoration project combats climate change and protects coastal infrastructure and residences from sea level rise using natural barriers."

The project will also expand the habitat for notable native species, including the federally threatened Western Snowy Plover.

"Nesting had not been recorded in the Los Angeles region for almost 70 years until the first nest in the LA region was found in April 2017 within the site for the first phase of the project."

Prior to launching the second phase of the dune restoration project, staff conducted significant stakeholder engagement, with multiple public meetings in the past year to gather community input on project design and other considerations.

"Supporters of this project include: LA Audubon Society, Heal the Bay, Climate Action Santa Monica, LA County Beaches and Harbors, and others, along with many Santa Monica residents."

The project is funded by the Bay Foundation through the Refugio Oil Spill Trust.