PRESS RELEASE FOR DATED RELEASE: April 10, 2011
CONTACT:Nancy Caruso 714-206-5147
KelpFest 2011: Celebrate Giant Kelp!
Giant kelp forests are one of the most productive ecosystems on earth. With more than 800 species relying on them, kelp forests are referred to as the rainforests of the sea. More than 20 years ago the kelp forests of Orange County disappeared due primarily to overfishing and pollution. In 2002 marine biologist Nancy Caruso of Get Inspired! started a project which would eventually restore this once lush forests. In 2002 with what came to be 5000 volunteers, Caruso and her volunteers began restoring the kelp forests in Newport and Laguna Beach. By 2010, the kelp had reached historic densities and the animals were starting to return to the area.
In celebration of this event, KelpFest was created to celebrate the return of the kelp forests and to honor the thousands of people who helped to restore them. The 2nd annual KelpFest, will be on April 16th, 2011 this year on Main Beach in Laguna Beach from 9am-5pm. There will be many like-minded environmental organizations with exhibits at the event to help educate the participants and help to nurture an appreciation for giant kelp forests. Other activities throughout the day include live painting and sculpting, an life size interactive kelp forest model, a live underwater broadcast from the kelp forest, a live performance from Birdsong and the Eco Wonders, guided tide pool tours, free stand up paddle board tours to the kelp forest, and a 100 snorkeler swim to the kelp forest, as well as lots of arts and crafts for kids.
If you can't make it to the event, you can still view the first of its kind underwater broadcast from the kelp by streaming it from UStream on your computer or smart phone.There are two ways you will be able to view the broadcast: For Smart Phone viewing: Download the app called UStream.tv. Once on UStream.tv, do a search for KelpFest 2011. Select KelpFest 2011, and you will be able to view the live broadcast. For Computer Viewing: Either go to UStream.tv and do a search for KelpFest 2011, or go to HYPERLINK "http://www.divein.tv" www.divein.tv and click on "Watch Live Stream of KelpFest 2011.
Schedule of events:
- 8:00am Beach clean up
- 9:00am Kelpfest begins
- 9:00-10:00 Kelp forest comes to life as we construct one for visitors to walk through
- 11:30 gather for Dive in
- 12:00 Dive in begins
- 12:00 Birdsong and the Eco-Wonders perform
- 1:30, 2:30, 3:30 Live underwater broadcast watch can be streamed on Ustream
- Stand up paddle board rides to the kelp forest (provided by La Vida Laguna)
- Live kelp forest paintings and raffle
- Docent led tide pool tours
- arts and crafts for kids
All Day
For more information about this spectacular event please visit our website www.kelpfest.org or call Nancy Caruso 714-206-5147.