Protecting Beaches

Los Angeles beaches are recognized around the world for their warm sunshine, cool breezes, and fun waves. Each year, tens of millions of visitors enjoy beach volleyball, surfing, and family visits. All this human activity has brought significant changes to these beaches. The construction of parking lots, roads, piers, groins, revetments, storm drains, and daily maintenance activities have removed most of the plants, dunes, and wildlife from this coast. The Bay Foundation’s (TBF’s) Coastal Adaptation Program, and many partners, are creating integrated projects to bring back the dunes, plants, and wildlife while promoting recreational activities. Scientific monitoring tracks the growth of plants and dunes over the course of years. Results show these projects create taller beaches that hold back the ocean while preserving recreation for people and refuge for wildlife. This “living shoreline” helps address climate change, adds beauty, and protects our coast from erosion and flooding.