A groundbreaking kelp restoration initiative in the Salish Sea is showing how Indigenous leadership and cross-sector collaboration can restore ecosystems and revitalize communities.
Led by the Snuneymuxw First Nation Marine Division, in partnership with Cascadia Seaweed and supported by Foresight Canada, the Kelp Restoration Project aims to bring back vital wild kelp forests along British Columbia’s coast. These underwater forests are essential for marine biodiversity, ocean health, and the wellbeing of coastal communities.
For the Snuneymuxw—stewards of these waters for generations—the decline of kelp forests is more than an ecological concern. It threatens traditional practices, food sovereignty, and the cultural fabric of their coastal way of life.
The project employs a pioneering method known as “green gravel” technology: kelp spores are seeded onto small stones in a lab, which are then planted onto the ocean floor. This approach merges traditional marine stewardship with modern science, offering a scalable and effective path to regenerate these vital habitats.
This project stands as a model for coastal restoration—grounded in respect, guided by traditional knowledge, and driven by collective action.
Watch the video below to learn more, and visit Cascadia Seaweed’s website to explore nature-based solutions transforming coastal ecosystems.
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