LAX Dunes

The airport had many plans for expansion in the dunes, including the possible expansion of runways and the development of a golf course on the northern end of the dunes for public use. In the 1970s the El Segundo Blue Butterfly (ESBB) was documented for the first time on the LAX Dunes. When the Endangered Species Act became law in 1976, the ESBB was one of the original 12 endangered species. The discovery of the ESBB in the dunes would soon challenge any airport expansion and development plans in the area. In 1998 LAWA's Recovery Plan for the El Segundo Blue Butterfly was approved by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Since then, a slew of projects to support and learn more about the plant and animal communities within the dunes has commenced. To learn more about federally endangered and threatened species, click on the button below.

Many other species also call the dunes home. In fact, there are over 900 plant and animal species that live in the dunes. Some of these species also carry conservation statuses, such as the federally threatened California Gnatcatcher or species of special concern like the San Diego horned lizard. Learn more about the state's special status species by following the link below.

While these plants are beautiful in their own right and belong to healthy ecosystems in their places of origin, they present many problems for the native plant communities and the native wildlife that relies on them. These species often outcompete native plant communities and disrupt the southern coastal dune ecosystem. Removal of these invasive and exotic species is necessary to ensure the survival of the native ecosystem.

Special thanks to our partners that help us manage this precious natural resource.