Dive into the story of the people bringing California’s kelp forests back to life. Holdfast Together: Keepers of California’s Kelp follows a community of divers, scientists, and restoration partners working to restore Northern California’s collapsing kelp ecosystems.
Once thriving underwater forests, kelp along the California coast has faced dramatic loss — with Northern California losing over 90% of its kelp cover in the past decade. But through collaboration, innovation, and determination, a growing network of partners is working to reverse that trend. From urchin removal dives to scientific monitoring and efforts to restore the keystone sunflower sea star, this film highlights the collective action needed to rebuild balance beneath the surface. Featuring the work of Seatrees Partners:
- Reef Check California
- Purple Urchin Removal Project (P.U.R.P.)
- Sunflower Star Laboratory
Together, these partners are helping restore one of the ocean’s most vital ecosystems — supporting marine biodiversity, coastal resilience, and the future of our oceans.