Malibu Project, volunteers work to restore Malibu’s coast

By Hayley Mattson · Sun Sep 06 2026

Nearly 70 pounds of debris removed as organization builds support for long-term effort to restore Malibu’s marine ecosystem following wildfires

More than 100 volunteers gathered at Surfrider Beach on Saturday, Aug. 29, for a community cleanup organized by The Malibu Project, removing nearly 70 pounds of debris while drawing attention to what organizers say is a much larger challenge facing Malibu: restoring the coastal ecosystem following years of devastating wildfires.

The cleanup brought together students, residents, surfers and other volunteers at one of Malibu’s most recognizable stretches of coastline. According to Evan Gordon of The Malibu Project, more than 70 percent of those who participate dsigned up on the day of the event — a response he said demonstrated the community’s willingness to take action.

“Over the course of the event, over 100 participants mobilized and came together to make an impact and serve as the last line of defense before marine debris reached the ocean,” Gordon said.

Volunteers collected nearly 70 pounds of debris, including microplastics and cigarette filters. Particular attention was given to material carried toward the coastline through the storm drain system.

For The Malibu Project, however, the cleanup was about more than removing trash from the sand.

Gordon said organizers also saw the event as an opportunity to introduce residents and visitors to the organization’s longer-term effort to restore Malibu’s marine environment following the Woolsey and Palisades fires.

“We thought it would not only be a great way to bring the community together to clean up one of Malibu’s most iconic beaches, but maybe more importantly, we wanted to use the opportunity to spread awareness about The Malibu Project’s longer-term plan to restore and reforest the local ocean back to what it looked like before the Woolsey and Palisades fires,” Gordon said.

Surfrider Beach was selected in part because of its visibility and its importance to Malibu’s identity.

“We knew the surf community would already be out in force, and on a hot summer day, what better locale but Surfrider to talk to folks, educate and make some friends,” Gordon said.

The organization believes Malibu’s marine environment must become a larger part of the conversation surrounding wildfire recovery.

While much of the public focus following major fires understandably centers on destroyed homes, damaged infrastructure, debris removal and rebuilding, Gordon said environmental damage does not stop at the shoreline.

“Malibu’s ocean is a forgotten victim of the wildfires,” Gordon said. “The underwater ecosystem, which was and should be teeming with life, has all but been destroyed. I’m not sure people realize that. Without our intervention, nothing will change.”

Saturday’s cleanup was supported by several community organizations and businesses.

Heal the Bay worked alongside The Malibu Project on the cleanup, bringing experience organizing coastal cleanup efforts. Joyburst served as the event’s title sponsor and provided drinks for participants during the hot weather. Beach Now helped establish a home base for volunteers, while Munch & Pop provided food.

“Heal the Bay are great partners and we look forward to doing this again with them soon,” Gordon said. “Their amazing staff and experienced blueprint for organizing these cleanups makes our job easy.”

The response from those participating was also encouraging, he said.

Although organizers did not conduct formal interviews with volunteers during the cleanup, Gordon said the overall sentiment among students, volunteers, and members of the surfing community was gratitude and enthusiasm for protecting Malibu’s coastline.

“Whether you work or play in Malibu, the ocean is a part of the community,” Gordon said. “Our efforts that day were appreciated, and attracted new supporters.”

One surfer named Daniel (no last name given) approached organizers with another idea: moving cleanup efforts farther inland and addressing debris within the watershed before it can make its way toward the coast. Gordon said the surfer offered to help with a future cleanup.

The broader goal of The Malibu Project is considerably more ambitious.

The organization is working with Dan Pondella of the Vantuna Research Group at Occidental College and Tom Ford of The Bay Foundation, both of whom were involved in the Palos Verdes Reef Restoration Project.

That project was developed to rebuild rocky reef habitat and help restore kelp forest ecosystems damaged over decades by environmental pressures including pollution, sediment burial and coastal landslides.

The Malibu Project hopes lessons from that work can help guide restoration along Malibu’s coastline.

“The ocean is vast and could eventually heal itself, but that healing won’t be in our lifetimes or potentially generations to come, unless we do something about it now,” Gordon said. “And the good news is, we have a plan that we know will work.”

For Gordon, the goal is to shorten what could otherwise be an extremely long natural recovery process.

“Restoring Malibu’s coast won’t happen overnight, but with the support of the community, we can work together to bring it back over the next several years, not centuries,” he said. “The result: Your family is swimming and surfing in cleaner waters. Your child is breathing cleaner air. And the marine life that doesn’t have a voice gets to thrive again.”

Saturday’s cleanup is expected to be one of many public events designed to build awareness and participation.

Gordon said The Malibu Project plans additional beach cleanups and community events and is looking to continue partnerships with local businesses, nonprofits and other organizations.

The group will have a presence at the Malibu Chili Cook-Off this weekend, where it is sponsoring a booth and plans to speak with residents and visitors about its restoration efforts.

The Malibu Project is also partnering with Cielo Farms for a wellness day and evening concert scheduled for Oct. 24.

Those public events are an important part of building community support, but Gordon said one of the biggest challenges ahead will be raising the money necessary to turn the organization's restoration plans into work in the water.

“Restoration efforts require significant funding,” Gordon said. “That is obviously a big focus of ours — we can’t do it without support.”

For The Malibu Project, Saturday’s gathering at Surfrider demonstrated that residents, visitors and members of Malibu’s surf community are willing to participate.

Now, Gordon hopes to turn that willingness into sustained support for a restoration effort that extends far beyond individual beach cleanups.

“We have a plan,” Gordon said. “We know it will work. It’s time to execute.”

Those interested in learning more, volunteering, or supporting the organization can visit The Malibu Project’s website at TheMalibuProject.org. 

More than 100 volunteers gather for a photo at Surfrider Beach during a community cleanup organized by The Malibu Project. Photos by Chris J. Evans