In 2025, The Bay Foundation (TBF) received funding from the California State Coastal Conservancy to launch the Santa Monica Coastal Habitat Restoration Program (SMCHRP) – a program focused on nature-based restoration projects that will help Santa Monica Bay better withstand climate change. Several of our innovative partners are directly leading these restoration efforts, specifically:

• Aquatic Futures Foundation & UCLA: Workforce Scientific Diver Training Program
  • This program seeks to develop a marine science workforce dedicated to restoring Santa Monica Bay and offers training from entry-level to advanced levels. Individuals completing this training will have the opportunity to intern with TBF’s Ocean Resilience marine science team. 
• Gabrielino Tongva Springs Foundation: Kuruvungna Village Springs Restoration Project
  • Kuruvungna Village Springs, a historic Native American village occupied for over 7,000 years, is located in West Los Angeles. With SMCHRP resources, the Gabrielino Tongva Springs Foundation will increase its public-facing programming and restoration efforts. This will result in the expansion of native vegetation, naturalized water flow, and the removal of hardscape, i.e. concrete.

Stay tuned for updates on these exciting projects!