Santa Monica Beach Restoration Pilot Project Proposal

This pilot project aims to restore approximately three acres of sandy coastal habitats located on the beaches of Santa Monica by utilizing existing sediments to transform a portion of the current beach into a sustainable coastal strand and foredune habitat complex resilient to sea level rise. A broad set of partnerships is proposed to actively restore three acres and passively restore two additional acres of a highly impacted beach system to bring back a diverse, endemic-rich, coastal plant and wildlife community which has been almost completely extirpated from the Los Angeles region. Returning broad ecosystem functions will create increased protection for coastal infrastructure and residences from sea level rise and erosion while providing a vital refuge for invertebrates, birds, and rare coastal vegetation species. This pilot project will also serve as a model for the region, showing that heavy recreational use of beaches and meaningful habitat restoration are not incompatible goals.