Sustainable & Connected: Beach Restoration Project expands native coastal habitat, combats sea level rise

Sandy beach and dunes with bluffs in the background

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.