Above/Below Launch Event - Celebrating the Ocean Forests

4-6 pm Tour project artists’ work while grazing the “Intertidal Table”, prepared by Chef Maria Finn

6-7 pm Program of Speakers

7-8 pm Dessert and Kelp Talk

By Invitation Only

About this Event

Did you know that despite being less than 1 percent of the plant biomass found on land, Kelp forests can capture as much carbon as terrestrial forests? Though these magnificent underwater ecosystems are not visible to most, they form the foundation of California’s coastal marine ecology and are crucial climate regulators.

Like their terrestrial counterparts, Kelp forests all around the world are disappearing, in some cases faster than rainforests. California’s North Coast has suffered a staggering loss since 2014 – by some estimates 95% of the kelp forests here have disappeared.

With millions of acres of California’s terrestrial forests lost to wildfires these past few years, the need to protect and restore the kelp forests could not be more important or timely.

The Above/Below project aims to make the story of the endangered kelp forests relevant and inspiring to all. We have brought together a community of scientists and artists to tell this story and raise awareness to support the work underway to protect and restore the ocean forests on the North Coast.

We invite you to come learn about this urgent issue, meet and mingle with inspiring kelp enthusiasts, and find out how you can get involved.

For more information and to access the story deck for Above/Below: click here >

The Above/Below Project Team

Scientists

Rietta Hohman

Tristin McHugh

Kathy Ann Miller

Dr. Karina Nielsen

Artists

Tess Felix

Maria Finn

Suzanne Frazier

Ann Holsberry

Josie Iselin

Isabella Kirkland

Ellen Litwiller

Lina Jane Prairie

Mimi Robinson

ColdWater Collective

Project Advisors

Kristin Coates

Josie Iselin

Tristin McHugh

Karina Nielsen

Curators

Marianna Leuschel

Jennifer Beckman

A Special Thanks to Marinship Studios for offering this lovely venue

Host or Publisher Marianna Leuschel (New Agency)