National Parks Service began a large-scale coastal dune restoration program starting in 2001. Since then, NPS has removed approximately 269 net acres of invasive plant species from approximately 524 acres of coastal dunes.

Restoration begins with manual removal, mechanical excavation, and herbicide treatment for invasive species. Measures for reducing sand movement include focusing initial restoration efforts on more oceanward portions of the dune system, leaving some of the invaded backdunes as a buffer between dune restoration and adjacent pastures.

Restoration of backdune areas will occur in a more phased approach that would allow more time for native vegetation to recruit into restored areas and, thereby, minimize potential for sand movement. In addition, active revegetation of backdune areas may be conducted to assist with soil stabilization.

Project Partners: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California Coastal Commission, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board.