In 1999, Orange County Coastkeeper created the Kelp Reforestation Program. Kelp began to disappear from Orange County more than 20 years ago. Since then, fish populations have drastically diminished and some ocean wildlife in the area has almost vanished. To correct this problem, Orange County Coastkeeper started growing kelp in our regional laboratory and in portable eco-cart aquaria in classrooms. Students in Orange County grew kelp and our teams of volunteer divers planted it on reefs and offshore waters. Today, thanks to the collected efforts of Coastkeeper and the community we, along with the countless species of marine life, can now enjoy kelp canopies along Little Corona and the Newport coast.

This past project was funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The interested generated by this project was such that it was featured on the National Geographic Channel on national television. The future vision for the kelp reforestation program includes the planting of kelp beds as far as South Laguna and the reintroduction of native sea mammal species.