Malibu Living Shoreline Project

MALIBU, CALIFORNIA

Collaboration was central to the Malibu Living Shoreline Project, an effort to test a lighter, more ecologically grounded model of dune restoration on Southern California beaches. Rather than relying on heavy equipment or major mechanical reshaping, the project was developed to work with natural processes, demonstrating how wind, sand, planting, and stewardship can help rebuild coastal habitat and strengthen shoreline resilience over time.

Building on an earlier pilot in Santa Monica, the work at Point Dume Beach and the Zuma Lagoon area converts roughly three acres of groomed sand into restored dune landscape and habitat. Interpretive signage was developed to situate throughout the project.

A map illustrating a coastal environment with labels pointing to features such as a rocky headland, a beach with maximum dune elevation of about 40 feet, un-vegetated beach, black vegetated foredune, and red vegetated dune. The map also notes the restricted beach area due to rocky headlands and its contour lines.
A map illustrating a coastal environment with labels pointing to features such as a rocky headland, a beach with maximum dune elevation of about 40 feet, un-vegetated beach, black vegetated foredune, and red vegetated dune. The map also notes the restricted beach area due to rocky headlands and its contour lines.

The project stands apart as a practical example of living infrastructure: a lower-impact alternative to more costly greyscape or hybrid coastal defense measures, and one that has helped broaden public understanding of what restoration can achieve on an actively used beach.

Cross-section illustration of Point Dume Beach showing existing bluffs, parking, dunes, new dunes, and beach with high and low tide markings.
Beach with sandy dunes in the foreground, green bushes along a rope barrier, people sitting and standing under a blue canopy, the ocean with small waves in the middle ground, and hills with houses and smoke in the background under a blue sky with clo
A sandy beach with green shrubbery and a rope barrier in the foreground. In the background, there are lifeguard towers, a rocky hillside with houses, palm trees, and a blue sky.
Sand dunes with green and purple flowering plants and a bright blue sky.
A coastal map illustrating conservation areas and restoration projects along the shoreline, including Zuma Beach Restoration Area and Point Dume Beach Restoration Area, with detailed descriptions of habitats and wildlife such as gray whales, and the
Blueprint drawing of a sign for Point Dume Beach with measurements and design notes.
Technical drawing of a sign with measurements and design specifications for welcome signage, including a photo of a landscape with birds and water, and text "ZUMA BEACH".

Peter Emerson led the project from design to completion while employed at RIOS.