Through funding from the National Estuary Program (NEP) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Santa Monica Bay National Estuary Program (SMBNEP) and The Bay Foundation (TBF) (SMBNEP’s host organization) have supported the following local partners and initiatives:

• Beach Erosion Authority for Clean Oceans and Nourishment: Coastal Access and Beach Visitor User Data Study
  • To develop informed coastal access programs, it’s essential for local, regional, state, and federal managers to better understand public beach use, as well as the barriers that prevent full access. Working with several partners, including the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors, the Mountains Restoration and Conservation Authority, California State University Channel Islands, and the Beach Erosion Authority for Clean Oceans and Nourishment (BEACON), this study will collect and analyze contemporary data on beach use – focusing on cell phone location data – to fill an important research gap. This will help inform future coastal beach access initiatives.
• Beach Ecology Coalition: Beach Management Certification Project
  • This project aims to provide web-based materials, training modules, and testimonials to help current and prospective beach managers and practitioners adopt an ecologically informed approach to coastal management. Supported by decades of partnership-building, research, and best practices developed by the Beach Ecology Coalition, the project equips managers with the knowledge to ensure public safety, ecological integrity, and coastal resilience.
• Black Surfers Collective: Diversity in the Line-up
  • The Black Surfers Collective (BSC) supports swim lessons, water safety training, and surf instruction, and implements environmental awareness programs. By offering swim and surf lessons, BSC fosters a safe and fun environment for water exploration. This approach helps cultivate a newfound appreciation for water-based recreation and creates a generation of future environmental stewards connected to the coast.
• City of Santa Monica: Santa Monica Breakwater Rocky Intertidal Preserve
  • This effort aims to protect the Santa Monica Pier and surrounding coastal infrastructure from storm events and sea level rise. As a vital coastal asset, the pier serves millions of visitors annually, supporting tourism, education, and fishing. This project will enhance the natural resources around the pier, expanding recreational and educational opportunities while increasing fishing access. Anticipated outcomes include conducting outreach and building partnerships, performing environmental monitoring to inform design and planning, identifying a lead agency, and supporting the development of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

Discover more about this work via SMBNEP’s Plans and Reports.