Increasing the Resiliency of the Shoreline to Protect Against Rising Sea Levels and Coastal Storms
Malibu Beach Dunes establishes approximately three acres of sandy beach and dune habitat at Malibu’s Zuma Beach and Point Dume Beach. This effort provides multiple ecosystem benefits such as stabilizing the shoreline and creating habitat for native flowering plants and shorebirds. The Bay Foundation (TBF) kicked off implementation in the winter of 2020-2021, in partnership with the City of Malibu, the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors, and the California State Coastal Conservancy.
Get involved by joining us at a future volunteer restoration event!
Project Highlights
Eco-Tourism
Another goal is to increase community engagement through enhanced beach experiences, outreach, and education. In addition to reducing coastal hazards and providing habitat for wildlife, this project will encourage nature-based tourism and increase community awareness of living shorelines, while still allowing all other existing recreational uses of the beach to continue.
Shoreline Resiliency and Enhanced Biodiversity
The Malibu Beach Dunes increase the resiliency of the shoreline through the restoration of sandy beaches and foredune habitat. This restores a healthy living shoreline that will provide multiple ecosystem benefits, including shoreline stabilization and habitat for shorebirds and native flowering plants. Together, these benefits will protect the beach and neighboring infrastructure.
Nature-Based Solution to Sea Level Rise
A primary goal is to implement nature-based protection measures against sea level rise and coastal storms. Specialized plants that are naturally adapted to the beach will grow and begin trapping sand that is transported by the wind and pushed onshore by waves. As vegetation begins to grow, so will the dunes. Dunes can provide a natural defense against sea level rise and coastal storms.
Eco-Tourism
Another goal is to increase community engagement through enhanced beach experiences, outreach, and education. In addition to reducing coastal hazards and providing habitat for wildlife, this project will encourage nature-based tourism and increase community awareness of living shorelines, while still allowing all other existing recreational uses of the beach to continue.
Shoreline Resiliency and Enhanced Biodiversity
The Malibu Beach Dunes increase the resiliency of the shoreline through the restoration of sandy beaches and foredune habitat. This restores a healthy living shoreline that will provide multiple ecosystem benefits, including shoreline stabilization and habitat for shorebirds and native flowering plants. Together, these benefits will protect the beach and neighboring infrastructure.
