Your adoption safeguards a living kelp for the future.
The time is now to preserve the kelp species that we have today. Adopt A Kelp today to help keep it alive, protect its genetic diversity, and follow its journey back to California's coastal ecosystems or toward new scientific discoveries.
The ocean's infrastructure is at risk.
Like rainforests of the sea, kelp forests offer foundational support for plant and animal biodiversity, stabilize coastal erosion, and regulate atmospheric carbon.
Rising ocean temperatures, pollution, and extreme climate events like the upcoming Super El Nino are destroying California's kelp forests.
Their loss is a direct threat to marine food webs, overall ocean health, and coastal economies and communities.
Our biobank is a safe haven.
Kelp Ark fills critical gaps in kelp conservation by preserving gametophytes - the source code of kelp ecosystems - so essential species will still be around for restoration, and other world-changing applications tomorrow.
For each kelp species you adopt, you will receive a certificate and a unique, trackable kelp ID # to stay updated on your kelp's progress.
What happens next
Kelp Ark is the only organization in California with permit to collect and preserve kelp from 33 sites before the next Super El Nino. Our team is actively collecting kelp from sites across California, ensuring these populations are preserved before they are threatened future marine heat events.
In our bank, known as The Arkive, we store thousands of these kelp seeds as they await adoption. Each is labeled with information about where and when it was collected, its species, and more. Our team will pick a unique kelp to match you with - check your email to find out who you adopted.
Like any living organism, kelp require regular seawater changes, replenishment, and carefully controlled light and temperature conditions.Your donation makes it possible for us to provide top-tier care for your kelp for an entire year.