As a result of a 1998 legal settlement following the discharge of diluent at the Guadalupe Oil Field, $9 million were dedicated to fund projects which restore and replace damaged natural resources and visitor services compromised by the diluent release.

 The Stewardship Collaborative, a partnership of land managers and local agencies, in cooperation with state fish and game and conservancy agencies, has utilized a permanent endowment to fund on a long term basis, restoration projects and public access enhancements lead to the long term protection and enhancement of the dunes.

A +$10million endowment fund is administered by the Guadalupe Restoration Trust, comprised of the California State Coastal Conservancy and Department of Fish and Game.  The Trust oversees disbursement of endowment funds to projects developed and facilitated by a ten-member Stewardship Collaborative comprised of the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM), County of Santa Barbara, County of San Luis Obispo, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge, Dunes Center and the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo.  The Collaborative has met monthly over the past four years and encourages participation and information exchange among groups engaged in conservation work in and around the dunes.

The collaborative has been instrumental in launching exotic pest eradication and invasive species removal programs over the past three years that targets the treatment and removal of veldt grass, pampas grass, European beach grass and other invasive species.  Areas subject to treatment are entered into a database of land management units that are used to set criteria for restoration activities using GIS technology. 

A Western Snowy Plover Educational Program was developed and implemented with CD ROM kit materials being distributed to agencies and land managers throughout the endangered species range.   A Plover brochure and K-12 grade activity guide has also been developed and distributed as part of an after school program. 

 Endowment funds have also been used to design an interpretive center currently being constructed at the Dunes Center in the community of Guadalupe California.  The parking areas at the Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve have been repaired and a series of management projects implemented.  Also, an Interpretive Master Plan has been developed for the Center for Natural Lands Management and is currently being implemented. 

The Collaborative has also sponsored annual scientific symposia for two years in a row that bring together members with a technical expertise in dune restoration with the lay public and interested agency personnel. 

 The Collaborative has also developed a Needs List to respond to the core goals and objectives of its dune restoration and visitor services focus.