[By Chuck Almdale]

On May 14, 2026, a celebration of the Malibu Lagoon 2012-2013 Restoration was held at the lagoon. About 80 local politicians, agency employees, educators and other interested people were invited. Snacks, drinks and coffee was served, followed by burritos at lunch, and about a dozen speakers gave us their thoughts. I found it all very interesting and rewarding, and I wish more members of SMBAS were able to attend. After I ate my lunchtime burrito I led a bird walk and pointed out a few birds for about 90 minutes, ably assisted by SMBAS president Jean Garrett and Community Relations specialist Lu Plauzoles.

The whole event was filmed, including most of the exciting birdwalk. I hope to get a link to this film, probably late this summer.

All of this reminded me that during the June 2012 – May 2013 I had created several pages and a slideshow on the blog dealing entirely with the restoration, which I call reconfiguration. If you weren’t around during this sometimes acrimonious period, or even if you were and wish to reignite your fond memories of this period and event, here is where you can find the information.

Slide Show – Covers the period from just before reconstruction began to the lagoon opening ceremony just after it was finished, with a few later photos added. Scroll down to “Reconfiguration Slideshow.”

Project Overview – Maps, aerial photos, other photos, the slide show, some films that may have vanished.

Bird Census Data – Summary and month-by-month 10-year comparisons: birds, blow-by-blow.

Winter Ramp-Summer Clock – The story of the unusual and sometimes sunken sidewalk with the inlaid tile tidal clock.

Films & Documents – Vegetation, permits, YouTubes, interviews, water quality tests.