October 3-6, 2025
Art + Science + Food + Film
MENDOCINO + FORT BRAGG
Photo by Marco Mazza
Bull kelp forests are an immensely valuable part of the ocean’s ecosystem, absorbing carbon dioxide, mitigating storm erosion along the shoreline, and providing food and habitat for an abundance of sea creatures. These dense underwater forests stretch along the North American coast from Big Sur to Alaska.
Since 2014, bull kelp forests have been devastated by warming oceans and other impacts, with losses exceeding 96% along California’s North Coast. But through community awareness, research, and recovery efforts, kelp forests can again thrive off of our shores.
Image from The Mysterious World of Bull Kelp website, courtesy of Above/Below
Current Press
Healthy Bull Kelp Forest, photo by Patrick Webster
North Coast KelpFest! is a community-led initiative powered by volunteers.
Memories from KelpFest! 2024
