SANTA MONICA—On Tuesday, February 24, the city of Santa Monica indicated in a news release that the city and The Bay Foundation (TBF) launched an expansion of their dune restoration project, the Santa Monica Beach Dunes, that will see 30 additional acres of beach along local shorelines returned back to a natural, wild state.
Topic Category: Coastal Resilience
Beach Dune Project Picks Up Steam
Santa Monica Lookout: Work began Tuesday on a row of dunes at Santa Monica Beach that will stretch from the Pier to the sands along the Venice border, City officials announced. A joint effort by the City and The Bay Foundation (TBF), the 30-acre project will nearly double the area of dunes in active restoration… Continue reading Beach Dune Project Picks Up Steam
30 New Acres Added to Santa Monica Beach Dunes
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Feb. 26, 2026) — The city of Santa Monica and The Bay Foundation (TBF) today launched an expansion of their dune restoration project, the Santa Monica Beach Dunes, that will see nearly 30 additional acres of beach along local shorelines returned back to a natural, wild state.
Santa Monica Beach Dunes FAQs
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the Santa Monica Beach Dunes.
Underwater Forests Return to Life off the Coast of California, and That Might be Good News for the Entire Planet
Smithsonian Magazine: Underwater Forests Return to Life off the Coast of California, and That Might be Good News for the Entire Planet. Wondrous kelp beds harbor a complex ecosystem that’s teeming with life, cleaning the water and the atmosphere, and bringing new hope for the future… Off the coast of Palos Verdes, a famed surfing… Continue reading Underwater Forests Return to Life off the Coast of California, and That Might be Good News for the Entire Planet
Santa Monica Dune Restoration Project Wins Unanimous Approval Despite Fire Concerns
Santa Monica Daily Press: The California Coastal Commission unanimously approved a controversial plan Thursday, Sept. 11, to restore 38.5 acres of native dune habitat along Santa Monica State Beach, despite fierce opposition from beachfront residents who warn the project could increase fire risks and attract homeless encampments. The Phase 3 expansion will nearly double the… Continue reading Santa Monica Dune Restoration Project Wins Unanimous Approval Despite Fire Concerns
Coastal Commission Approves Santa Monica Dune Restoration Plan
Palisades News: The California Coastal Commission unanimously approved a plan Thursday to restore 38.5 acres of native dune habitat along Santa Monica State Beach, advancing efforts to boost coastal resilience and biodiversity, the commission announced. The 10-0 vote, following a contentious public hearing in Fort Bragg, greenlit a five-year permit for the City of Santa… Continue reading Coastal Commission Approves Santa Monica Dune Restoration Plan
UCLA Researchers to Conduct Pink Dye Tracer Experiment at Santa Monica Breakwater
Visitors to Santa Monica Beach may notice the ocean waves turning pink September 15, 22–24 and 30 near the breakwater and pier because of a temporary, non-toxic dye used to study water quality. Researchers from the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering will release the dye in collaboration with The Bay Foundation. The fluorescent rhodamine water… Continue reading UCLA Researchers to Conduct Pink Dye Tracer Experiment at Santa Monica Breakwater
Restoring the Underwater Forest: Tom Ford’s Kelp Crusade
Rising Tide #137 – Restoring the Underwater Forest: Tom Ford’s Kelp Crusade In this episode of the Rising Tide Ocean Podcast, hosts David Helvarg and Vicki Nichols Goldstein welcome Tom Ford, CEO of the Bay Foundation and Director of the Santa Monica Bay National Estuary Program. They discuss Ford’s journey from his first ocean encounter… Continue reading Restoring the Underwater Forest: Tom Ford’s Kelp Crusade
These beaches are among LA’s favourites. But they’re fake
BBC: Putting a halt to this meticulously destructive grooming was the first step for Tom Ford, president of local nonprofit The Bay Foundation, an organisation which has been fortifying the beach by restoring sand dunes. “We were looking at what we could do to further enhance the coastline, and we knew we were facing increasing… Continue reading These beaches are among LA’s favourites. But they’re fake