The Greater Farallones Kelp Restoration Project is a collaborative effort led by the Greater Farallones Association (GFA) and NOAA’s Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries, working with state and federal agencies, academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, tribes, fisheries, and local communities. Together, we aim to restore and protect bull kelp forests along the northern California coastline — habitats that support marine life, sustain fisheries, and drive the coastal economy.
A Community-Driven Restoration Plan
Due to a combination of stressors, bull kelp forests in northern California have declined by over 90% the past decade. To address the crisis, GFA led the creation of the Sonoma-Mendocino Kelp Restoration Plan, a guidance document developed following the recommendations from scientific experts, tribes, diverse stakeholders, and the public through the Greater Farallones NMS Sanctuary Advisory Council. This plan lays out strategies for bull kelp recovery and guides all project activities.
Our Approach
We’re working to bring kelp forests back by:
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- Reducing urchin overpopulation with help from local commercial divers
- Outplanting bull kelp to replenish spores and regrow habitat
- Monitoring ecosystem health through collaborative science
- Partnering with fisheries and tribes to create jobs and rebuild coastal livelihoods
- Engaging communities through outreach, youth education, and school programs
Our efforts focus on priority restoration sites — Fort Ross Cove, Timber Cove, Ocean Cove, and Sea Ranch — to create thriving bull kelp oases that can help repopulate the broader coast and restore fishing opportunities.
Get Involved
We host quarterly Kelp Restoration Network meetings, open to all stakeholders and community members. Join us to learn, share ideas, and collaborate on restoration and conservation of bull kelp forests.
Contact:
Rietta Hohman, Program Manager
rhohman@farallones.org | rietta.hohman@noaa.gov
Project Partners
The Greater Farallones Kelp Restoration Project has and will continue to involve myriad partners across state and federal agencies, communities, nonprofits, tribes, academic institutions, and fisheries in various aspects and stages of the project including research, planning, outreach, education, and implementation. See below for a full list of project partners.
This project is made possible through a diverse network of partners, including NOAA Sanctuaries, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, academic institutions like Stanford University and UC Davis, Kashia Band of Pomo Indians, Fort Ross Conservancy, and many others, with funding support from organizations like the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation.