in recent years, kelp forests have diminished by over 90% on california’s north coast.

dive into the urgent mission to restore west coast kelp forests. in 2014, a pacific heatwave event known as the blob led to a major loss of kelp forests across the west coast. the blob coincided with a disease that killed off the sunflower sea star, a predator of the native purple sea urchin.

with their natural predator gone, purple sea urchin populations have spiked to over 10,000%, threatening kelp forest ecosystems that support countless marine species. without this crucial habitat, historical, and culturally important species like rockfish, red abalone, crabs, and other critters are at risk of their ecosystems collapsing.

since the initial loss of these underwater forests, researchers and community members have been exploring innovative and creative ways to manage purple urchin populations to revive these underwater ecosystems local economies, and cultural connections. join us as we uncover the innovative solutions and dedicated efforts to bring back the kelp forests and ensure a thriving future for our oceans!