Who We Are
Our Story
The Catalina Island Marine Institute (CIMI) Kelp Restoration project is a hub of marine science enthusiasts, passionate about sharing their love of the ocean to make positive change!
Our journey started in 2022 when current and former staff reconnected at a reunion. Seeing the potential of our combined expertise and backgrounds to make a positive impact, we began our kelp restoration journey. We secured grant funding in the summer of 2023, allowing us to kick off our fieldwork in the fall.
Our team of dedicated scientists, staff, alumni, and volunteers will use a multidisciplinary, integrated approach toward kelp restoration using the best science available.
Catalina Island Marine Institute
CIMI Kelp Restoration is a project of the Catalina Island Marine Institute. CIMI is operated by Guided Discoveries, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of children through unique opportunities for discovery.
Since 1979, CIMI has run outdoor education centers and marine science camps and currently operates at two locations on Catalina Island, Toyon Bay and Fox Landing. CIMI positively impacts children by offering opportunities for exploration in marine science and ocean adventures, fostering personal growth in the process.
The CIMI Kelp Restoration Team In Action!
A team of divers measures the growth of natural kelp recruits.
A diver is equipped with a measuring tape for conducting underwater monitoring surveys.
A team of divers conducts observations within an underwater quadrat.
The team reviews aerial footage of a kelp restoration site.
The apical meristem of kelp. This is the "growth center" of kelp where it splits and becomes a blade or a stipe.
A diver records the growth rate, precise location and other information about a kelp recruit.
A team of divers measures the length of kelp.
The team reviews underwaters footage of a kelp recruit.
A diver surveys collects monitoring data for CIMI Kelp Restoration.
A diver places a quadrat over kelp.
A team of divers transports a boat into the water to conduct a kelp monitoring survey.
Our Funders
Builders Initiative supports kelp restoration and the Alumbra Innovation Foundation supports kelp restoration outreach and education.
