EPaK – Eastern Pacific Kelp Congress

Convening for Kelp!

EPaK’s mission is to convene and host kelp advocates from the Eastern Pacific region to share findings, stewardship best practices and to build the human relationships that, in turn, support our work to understand and steward kelp in all its glory. We welcome scientists, stewards, practitioners, artists, students, First Nations, tribes, science communicators, storytellers, managers, and many more.

Join the Congress

2025 Conference

January 21-22, 2025

A consortium of kelp researchers, managers, stewards, restoration practitioners, industry members, and thought leaders from across the region to convene, share, and learn. We aim to facilitate collaboration such that we may advance our shared kelp restoration and conservation goals.

Agenda

Day 1 – Tuesday, January 21 

Welcome to EPaK Recovery Workshop + Agenda 
Tristin Anoush McHugh, The Nature Conservancy 

Shared Challenges, Meeting Goals and Outcomes 
Norah Eddy, The Nature Conservancy 

Kelp Forests of the Eastern Pacific; North to South

  • Sitka, Alaska, USA, Kristy Kroeker, University of California, Santa Cruz
  • Victoria, British Columbia, CAN, Maycira Costa, University of Victoria
  • Bamfield, British Columbia, CAN, Jasmin Schuster, The Kelp Rescue Initiative
  • Samish Indian Nation, Washington, USA, Todd Woodard, Samish Indian Nation
  • Port Orford, Oregon, USA, Tom Calvanese, Oregon Kelp Alliance
  • Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation, California, USA, Rosa Laucci, Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation
  • Mendocino, California, USA - Benjamin Grime, The Nature Conservancy  
  • Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of Stewarts Point Rancheria, California, USA - Nina Hapner, Kashia Band of Pomo Indians
  • Santa Cruz, California, USA - Kalie Granier, Artist
  • Monterey Bay, California, USA - Mark Carr, University of California, Santa Cruz 
  • Santa Barbara, California,USA, Rachel Smith, University of California, Santa Barbara
  • San Diego, California, USA, Jen Smith, University of California, San Diego
  • Ensenada, Baja California Sur, MEX - Julio Lorda, Autonomous University of Baja California

Restoration Resources, Tools, Networks and Community Groups

  • Kelp Forest Alliance & Challenge – Aaron Eger, Kelp Forest Alliance
  • Oregon Kelp Alliance (ORKA) – Sara Hamilton, ORKA 
  • CA Kelp Restoration and Management Plan – Kirsten Ramey,  California Department of Fish and Wildlife 
  • CENCOOS Oceanographic data– Marine Lebrec, Central & Northern California Ocean Observing System  
  • Aquaculture and Species Recovery intersections–Luke Gardner, California Sea Grant 
  • Pacific Coast Ocean Recovery Initiative – Paige Berube, The Nature Conservancy 
  • Bull Kelp Connectivity and Spore Dispersal- Lauren Liggin, University of of Wisconsin-Milwaukee  
  • The Mysterious World of Bull Kelp – Marianna Leuschel and Josie Iselin, Above/Below

Day 2 – Wednesday, January 22

  • Session 1: Building the foundations for kelp restoration - ecological & social lenses
  • Session 2: Kelp restoration approaches & roadblocks – aligning knowledge, policy, &
  • Session 3: Future proof kelp restoration - ecological & social lenses

Video Content

View recordings of the 2025 Conference.

A tribute to the EPaK community: The very talented EPaK member, Patrick Webster (@underwaterpat), put together a video titled “Cruising the Kelpy Coast: Alaska to Baja California” that was shared during lunch on Day 1. Thank you Patrick for your incredible work and inspiration!

Past EPaK Conferences

2024 EPaK Conference

2022 EPaK Conference

Get Involved

We invite you to join us in supporting Kelp! across the Eastern Pacific. Please provide your contact information using the form below to be added to next year’s EPaK list.