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By Faith Townsend, Oregon Volunteer Coordinator
In May, Reef Check Oregon welcomed a new cohort of volunteers to our annual Kelp Forest Restoration program. Over two weekends, participants gathered to learn about Oregon’s kelp forest ecosystems, the challenges they face, and how to participate in community-led restoration. Through online classroom sessions and in-water training, new volunteers gained the knowledge and skills needed to support kelp forest restoration throughout the season. A key component of the training focused on culling purple and red sea urchins, which reduces grazing pressure in urchin barrens and allows kelp to reestablish. Volunteers learned the science behind this method, trained to perform this work safely and effectively underwater, and practiced field methods at an active restoration site.
While enthusiasm was high, ocean conditions were less than ideal for early summer. Large swells and strong winds throughout both training weekends created significant surge and poor visibility. But Oregon divers are no strangers to working in “less than tropical” conditions, and volunteers persevered, demonstrating their determination to the cause.
This year’s training was especially rewarding because several of our restoration sites are showing encouraging signs of recovery. Both Macklyn Cove and Nellies Cove in southern Oregon have naturally recruited kelp for the first time in nearly a decade. For many Reef Check volunteers, and even some staff members, it was the first time they had ever seen kelp at these sites. Seeing such a diverse array of kelp return to these reefs served as a powerful reminder of why our efforts matter and left volunteers and staff excited for the season ahead.
We are so grateful to our volunteers for their continued dedication to monitoring, restoration, and the protection of Oregon’s nearshore ecosystems. Together, we are building a community of ocean stewards to protect our kelp for years to come.
Restoration in Oregon is made possible by our partners at the Oregon Kelp Alliance under NOAA Restoration Center Cooperative Agreement NA25NMFX469C0012.
