A groundbreaking kelp restoration initiative in the Salish Sea is showing how Indigenous leadership and cross-sector collaboration can restore ecosystems and revitalize communities.
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 Snuneymuxw First Nation Marine Division is leading kelp restoration in their territory through collaboration with multiple partners. Cascadia Seaweed is contributing by using the innovative “green gravel” method to help revitalize crucial marine ecosystems, with Foresight Canada providing additional funding to document and share the project’s journey.
Through the green gravel method, kelp is seeded onto gravel and other substrates, allowing it to grow in a controlled environment before being introduced into the ocean. Once ready, the gravel is scattered into the water, offering young kelp a foothold in areas where restoration is needed.
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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