July 2, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Creating a New Ecosystem

The Bay Foundation Announces its Beach Restoration Pilot

The Bay Foundation, in partnership with the City of Santa Monica, announced its Santa Monica Beach Restoration Pilot Project on December 1.

The purpose of the project is to transform an approximately three-acre section of existing sandy beach into a coastal ecosystem and to address coastal hazard risks while protecting and enhancing resources such as public beach access and recreation, natural shoreline habitat and aesthetic values, according to the Foundation. The installation will take three to four weeks beginning in December.

news-washzone12916“The most exciting part of this project for me is the chance to show people what a different kind of beach can look like and what it can actually do,” Tom Ford, executive director of The Bay Foundation, said. “This project may clearly demonstrate that the beach can again be a place for wildlife and people while providing protection from sea level rise in a very cost effective manner.”

The designated area for the project is ocean-ward of the bike path near the water, parallel to the Beach Club and about a mile and a half north of the Santa Monica Pier.

The pilot project will attempt to transform a highly impacted beach by seeding with native coastal strand species, such as flowering sand verbena and beach evening primrose. The project will also evaluate increased protection from sea level rise and erosion for coastal infrastructure and residences while also providing a vital refuge for coastal vegetation species, invertebrates and birds.

The project is also meant to offer a unique beach aesthetic for the region.

“We believe that the iconic beaches of Santa Monica will be a beautiful and important location to test this restoration project,” Karina Johnston, Director of The Bay Foundation’s Watershed Programs, said.

In accordance with the pilot project, the City of Santa Monica will be launching a new virtual reality installation on the Santa Monica Pier revealing how sea level rise will affect the Santa Monica shoreline in the future.

“The City of Santa Monica, California State Parks and the folks neighboring the project have been so welcoming, it’s a very encouraging start,” Ford said. “I can’t think of a better way to ring in the New Year.”

To learn more about the Santa Monica Beach Restoration Pilot Project visit: santamonicabay.org/santa-monica-beach-restoration-pilot.

 

in News
<>Related Posts

Proposed Rebuilding Authority for Wildfire Recovery Sparks Local Control Debate

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Plan Aims to Streamline Rebuilding but Raises Questions Over Community Input A proposed “Resilient Rebuilding Authority” to oversee recovery from...

Pentagon Orders Troop Drawdown in LA: 150 National Guard Members Reassigned to Wildfire Duty

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Federal Forces Begin Partial Withdrawal From Protest Response as California Leaders Push Back U.S. Northern Command announced Tuesday that 150 National Guard...

(Video) ‘World’s Strongest Man’ Champion Pulls Big Blue Bus for 30 feet

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

World-class strongman Martins Licis pulled a 34,680‑pound, 35-feet long, battery electric bus through the Pier to set off Pier 360...

California Highway Patrol Deploys for Independence Day Enforcement Surge

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

All Available Officers to Hit California Highways for Holiday Weekend As Californians gear up for Fourth of July festivities, the...

Court Postpones Arraignment for Driver in Malibu Crash That Killed Four Students

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Fraser Michael Bohm Faces Murder Charges in Fatal PCH Wreck  The arraignment for Fraser Michael Bohm, the 23-year-old man accused...

More Commercial Uses Could Be Coming to RAND Building

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Amendment Unlocks New Opportunities, Secures $5.5 Million in Community Benefits The Santa Monica Planning Commission unanimously approved an amendment to...

People are Using Palisades for “Disaster Tours.” Local Officials Are Trying to Stop Them

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

A new motion introduced to City Council requests a coordinated strategy from LADOT, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the...

Santa Monica Favorite Esters Rebrands as Esters Wine Shop & Oyster Bar

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

New Concept Launches With French-Spanish Flair and Free Bubbles Esters Wine Shop, the fave Parisian-style wine bar in downtown Santa...

Letter to the Editor: Santa Monica’s Great Park: It’s Time to Deliver on 100 Years of Promise

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Santa Monica stands at the edge of history. For nearly a century, residents have consistently supported turning the airport land...

Why Nordstrom Says It’s Closing Its Santa Monica Place Location

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

A Nordstrom spokesperson explained the closure as a strategic realignment Nordstrom confirmed its decision to close its Santa Monica store...

Three-Bed Palisades Highlands Townhouse Hits Market for $1.7M

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

The Mediterranean-style property, located at 1529 Michael Lane, is part of a 71-unit community A remodeled 1,919-square-foot townhouse in the...

Six-Bed Mar Vista Hilltop Home Under Construction Lists for $5.3M

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

The private backyard is complete with a pool, spa, fire pit, built-in BBQ, and areas for outdoor dining A stunning...

(Video) Getty Villa Reopens Six Months After Dodging Destruction of Palisades Wildfires

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

With the reopening also comes a new exhibit, “The Kingdom of Pylos” Getty Villa Reopens Six Months After Dodging Destruction...

Free Virtual Planetarium Shows Coming to SMC in July

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

The virtual format is in place as construction of the new SMC Planetarium and Observatory nears completion The Santa Monica...

Santa Monica Adopts $793.3M Budget for FY25-27, Prioritizing Housing and Safety

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

The budget preserves core services and invests in major projects, including over $1 billion in hotel investments The Santa Monica...