Watch a real-time dive into Mendocino’s kelp forest on Tuesday

MENDOCINO Co., 8/19/19 — The kelp forest ecosystems along Mendocino’s coastline have been changing rapidly over the last five years, and a number of marine researchers have been looking for ways to restore these “old growth” forests to health, and to reduce the impacts on invasive species, such as the purple sea urchin, on native marine life.

On Tuesday, the non-profit organization Reef Check California, which focuses on reef conservation, will be hosting two different remotely-operated underwater drone exploration dives along the Mendocino coast, and will be live-streaming the dives for the public to learn more about Mendocino’s kelp forests and how they can help with conservation efforts. The dives are organized with assistance from the Noyo Center, California State Parks, California Marine Protected Areas Collaborative, Open Explorer, a National Geographic platform, and Sofar Ocean Technologies. The dives will be live-streamed by the Noyo Center at this link, beginning at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, from Portuguese Beach.