Learn about The Bay Foundation’s past work and accomplishments below. While these projects are no longer active, each has contributed to our mission and played a vital role in enhancing the health and resilience of Santa Monica Bay and its watershed.

Protecting Beaches

• LAX Dunes Restoration
  • The LAX Dunes, located between Los Angeles International Airport and the Pacific Ocean, are Southern California’s largest remaining coastal dune ecosystem. Spanning 302 acres, this natural wildlife preserve is home to over 900 species, including the federally endangered El Segundo blue butterfly and other rare plants and animals. Owned and managed by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), the dunes are being restored to protect native species and combat invasive plants. Between 2014 and 2022, The Bay Foundation (TBF) supported these efforts and coordinated monthly volunteer events through the Friends of the LAX Dunes (FOLD), a community partnership focused on the LAX Adopt-a-Dune program. This initiative enabled volunteers to contribute to the care and restoration of the dunes, promoting the recovery of endangered species, such as the El Segundo blue butterfly, by removing invasive vegetation and nurturing native plants, including coast buckwheat. This effort is now maintained by LAWA.

Restoring Streams and Creeks

• Malibu Lagoon Restoration
  • The Malibu Lagoon was once considered “impaired” by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) due to excess sediment and low oxygen levels, which threatened local wildlife. In 2012, a collaborative restoration project led by the California State Parks, Coastal Conservancy, Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains, TBF, and Heal the Bay began work to restore the Lagoon. The project included excavating 12 acres, removing contaminated soil and trash, and planting thousands of native plants. Completed in 2013, post-restoration monitoring has shown significant improvements in water circulation, habitat health, and water quality. The restoration has also led to the return of rare species, such as the California least tern and steelhead trout.
• Malibu Creek
  • Until 2018, TBF helped to monitor the spread of the invasive New Zealand mudsnails (NZMS) and control the spread of the invasive Louisiana red swamp crayfish. Non-native Louisiana red swamp crayfish are harmful to the ecosystem of the Santa Monica Mountains. Volunteers working with TBF and Mountains Restoration Trust removed over 11,000 crayfish from Malibu Creek.
• Stone Canyon Creek
  • Between 2010 and 2017, TBF and UCLA’s Institute of the Environment & Sustainability worked with thousands of volunteers to restore Stone Canyon Creek, the only remaining section of unburied creek on the UCLA campus and one of the last open streams in the area. This restored creek segment serves as a ‘living classroom’ for the university while providing habitat for native species.

Restoring Steelhead Trout Habitat and Removing Fish Barriers

• Arroyo Sequit
  • Through partnerships with landowners and agencies, TBF restored critical habitat at Arroyo Sequit Creek within Leo Carrillo State Park. Specifically, in 2015, TBF, in collaboration with the California Department of Parks and Recreation and the California Conservation Corps, removed two Arizona-type crossings and a check dam from Arroyo Sequit Creek. This allowed steelhead trout to migrate to upstream habitats for the first time since the 1950s! Bridges replaced the old crossings, reducing pollution and providing safer access for visitors.
• Malibu Creek Rindge Dam
  • The Rindge Dam, built in the 1920s and filled with sediment by the 1950s, blocks access to over 10 miles of vital upstream habitat. TBF supported restoration efforts of Rindge Dam in Malibu Creek State Park to reconnect lower watershed areas with upstream headwaters. California State Parks is now leading a feasibility study for its removal. Learn more about this and the phases for its Malibu Creek Ecosystem Restoration Project here.

Restoring Oceans

• Aerial Monitoring
  • Between 2008 and 2013, TBF and its partner LightHawk conducted aerial surveys of boating activities off the Southern California coast. The surveys covered two transects: one from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Point Conception, and the other from LAX to the U.S.-Mexico border. 41 flights collected over 5,000 boating data points to provide spatially explicit, fishery-independent data for the Marine Protected Area (MPA) planning process. Post-MPA implementation, 82 flights were conducted, and over 15,000 boating data points were collected. The results of this were delivered in a peer-reviewed publication (Zellmer et al. 2018). These data were helpful in the design, outreach, and enforcement of SoCal’s MPA network.

Engaging Communities

• Rainwater Harvesting and Rain Garden Implementation
  • Between 2013 and 2016, TBF and the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission (SMBRC) supported the Culver City Rainwater Harvesting Program by installing 396 rain barrels, as well as one rain garden and cistern within the city to capture and redirect rainwater. The 396 rain barrels annually collected between 174,240 and 392,040 gallons of water. This program also provided public education through events and home consultations. Notably, in 2013, TBF was awarded the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Green Leadership Award for the Culver City Rainwater Harvesting Program.
  • In 2015, TBF furthered water conservation efforts by installing four residential rain gardens via a Metropolitan Water District of Southern California grant to assess potable water savings and stormwater capture potential. Across all four residential sites, potable water use plummeted, stormwater was diverted, and native plants blossomed and bloomed, giving sustenance and support to birds, bugs, and animals alike. Check out this video to learn more about how to build a rain garden.
• Clean Bay Certified
  • TBF co-founded the Clean Bay Certified Restaurant Program in 2008 with LA County cities such as Malibu, Santa Monica, Culver City, Palos Verdes Estates, Inglewood, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, and Torrance to recognize restaurants going above and beyond municipal stormwater regulations to reduce stormwater runoff pollution. Certified restaurants implemented ocean-minded business practices such as refraining from using non-polystyrene (Styrofoam) take-out containers, using non-toxic cleaning products, training staff on relevant best management practices, and much more. Between 2008 and 2022, thousands of local restaurants were certified and recognized for their valuable efforts. While this program continues to make a difference, it is a legacy initiative for TBF. As of 2023, Clean Bay Certified is active in the following cities: Malibu, Torrance, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Rolling Hills Estates, and Palos Verdes Estates. TBF will continue collaborating with restaurants through source reduction initiatives (learn more here). TBF expresses great thanks to all businesses and partners that participated and continue to participate in Clean Bay Certified, leading and making a difference in stormwater pollution prevention for over two decades and beyond.
• Water and Energy Conservation Education
  • Funded by a grant from the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP) in 2016, TBF developed a fun and engaging curriculum to teach LAUSD middle school students and teachers from Panorama City to South Los Angeles about water and energy conservation, as well as climate change. Educational resources such as activity books, educational videos, and infographics on water, energy, + climate change were distributed to hundreds of students.