The Manhattan Beach Dune Restoration Project began in January 2022. The Bay Foundation, in partnership with the City of Manhattan Beach, L.A. County Department of Beaches and Harbors, L.A. County Fire Department - Lifeguard Division, and the California State Coastal Conservancy, continue to work toward restoring approximately three acres of beach dunes along the North Manhattan Beach coastline. The CA State Coastal Conservancy is fully-funding the Manhattan Dune Restoration project through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and California Climate Investments, which are programs that put cap and trade dollars to work.

For more information on the project, please visit The Bay Foundation website.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer to help The Bay Foundation and project partners remove non-native ice-plant and plant and seed native dune species to increase coastal resiliency. View upcoming volunteer events here. 

Tools and gloves will be provided at all events. Please wear close-toed shoes and bring water, sun protection, and anything you may need to be comfortable in outdoor conditions. 

The Bay Foundation welcomes volunteers to assist with their restoration efforts. Sign up here for The Bay Foundation's email list to be notified of volunteer opportunities. 

Beach Dune Restoration Project Description

This project enhances approximately three acres of the existing dunes in Manhattan Beach along approximately 0.6 miles of coastline from 36th Street to 23rd Street. The restoration project involves the removal of non-native vegetation, seeding and planting of native vegetation, strategic installation of temporary sand fencing as vegetation establishes, installation of symbolic fencing on existing pathways, and installation of educational features like interpretive signage. 

Project Goals

The goal of this project is to create a living shoreline and increase coastal resiliency in the face of climate change through the creation of natural buffers against sea level rise and coastal erosion. In addition to protecting beaches and infrastructure, dunes also aid in carbon sequestration and provide a key habitat for native coastal species, including the federally endangered El Segundo blue butterfly. The El Segundo blue lives its entire life on the sea cliff buckwheat plant, which is planted along the dune restoration project. 

Overall objectives include:

The development of the project serves as a model for the region, exemplifying how nature-based solutions may be a cost-effective manner of providing protection to our beaches through restoring California’s ecosystems.

Additional Resources

The Dune Restoration and Monitoring Plan provides a full description of the project and is available on The Bay Foundation's website. 

An informational video with a detailed overview of the project is available on The Bay Foundation's YouTube channel. You can also watch the Community Survey, which interviews local residents about their opinions on the dune restoration in Manhattan Beach.

The Bay Foundation has also prepared a list of FAQs that cover the project summary, project design, monitoring and maintenance, and community participation.

To learn more about the project, you can contact The Bay Foundation by phone at (888) 301-2527 or visit the Santa Monica Bay Manhattan Beach Dune Restoration Project website.