Manhattan Beach Dune Restoration Volunteering

The project area warrants removal of invasive species and maintenance of the existing sand, fencing, and signage. 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.

Volunteer to help The Bay Foundation and project partners remove non-native iceplant and plant and seed native dune species as an approach to increase coastal resiliency.

Saturday, November 16, 2024, from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM

Bruce's Beach, Highland Avenue, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Four years in the making, after forming solid community and agency partnerships and securing full grant funding, the Manhattan Beach Dune Restoration 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, has started implementation of restoring approximately 3 acres of beach dunes along the north Manhattan Beach coastline.

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

Project Description

This project will enhance approximately 3 acres of the existing back dunes in Manhattan Beach from 36th Street to 23rd Street, along approximately 0.6 miles of coastline. The restoration project involves the removal of non-native vegetation, seeding/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. 

All detailed project components will be agreed to by partners including the City of Manhattan Beach, The Bay Foundation, Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors, and the California State Coastal Commission prior to implementation.

Project Goals:

The goal of this project is to create a living shoreline and increase coastal resiliency in the face of climate change by creating 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.

Dune enhancement will entail seeding and planting of native vegetation, removal of non-native species, installation of strategic fencing, and educational features such as signage.

Overall objectives include:

• Increasing the resiliency of the shoreline through the restoration of sandy beach and foredune habitat.
• Implementing soft-scape protection measures against sea level rise and coastal storms.
• Increasing engagement of the community through enhanced beach experiences, outreach and education.

The development of the project will serve 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.

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