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Jackson Taylor, 30th Civil Engineer Squadron biological scientist, stands on a dune habitat at Wall Beach at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Jan. 21, 2026. Taylor oversees Vandenberg’s dune restoration project, collaborating with the 30 CES horizontal maintenance team. The contour plot Taylor stands on has created an artificial notch in the dune system replicating natural processes. This allows sand to accumulate farther back into the dunes, creating a more suitable habitat for animals, such as the special status western snowy plover. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ian Hawkes)

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Vandenberg’s 30th Civil Engineer Squadron works on dune treatment during the dune restoration project at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Jan. 21, 2026. Featuring four treatment types (control, contour, herbicide, and combination), the restoration project maintains the dune system while providing a safer and larger living habitat for animals such as the special status western snowy plover and native vegetation. Treatment types were created in collaboration with researchers at the University of California Santa Barbara and others. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ian Hawkes)

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Jackson Taylor, 30th Civil Engineer Squadron biological scientist, stands on one of the contour dune plots at Wall Beach at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Jan. 21, 2026. The primary goal of a contour treatment plot is to push sand back to allow for a more livable area for animals, like the western snowy plover, to naturally protect them from strong winds and high tides. Vandenberg maintains its land in a continued effort with environmental stewardship, balancing environmental mission requirements with responsible management of its ecosystem. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ian Hawkes)

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Vandenberg’s 30th Civil Engineer Squadron works on dune treatment operations during an ongoing dune restoration project at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Jan. 21, 2026. The dune restoration project aims to promote nesting sites for animals, such as the special status western snowy plover, located along Vandenberg’s beach habitats on California’s central coast. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ian Hawkes)

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Vandenberg Continues Dune Restoration Project

Published Jan. 28, 2026
By Airman 1st Class Ian Hawkes
Space Launch Delta 30

VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. --

Vandenberg’s 30th Civil Engineer Squadron works on dune treatment during the dune restoration project at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Jan. 21, 2026. Featuring four treatment types (control, contour, herbicide, and combination), the restoration project maintains the dune system while providing a safer and larger living habitat for animals such as the special status western snowy plover and native vegetation. Treatment types were created in collaboration with researchers at the University of California Santa Barbara and others.

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