KelpFest Celebrates Ocean Conservation in Laguna Beach

News Summary

KelpFest 2025 brought together around 1,000 attendees in Laguna Beach for a celebration of ocean conservation and community engagement. The event featured a beach cleanup, educational exhibits, hands-on activities, and live music, all aimed at raising awareness about the local kelp forest’s crucial role in marine life. Hosted by the Laguna Ocean Foundation, KelpFest has been an annual event since 2010, showcasing the importance of protecting coastal ecosystems and inspiring community involvement in environmental stewardship.

Laguna Beach – KelpFest 2025, a celebration of ocean conservation and community engagement, drew approximately 1,000 attendees on Saturday, June 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Main Beach Cobblestones. Hosted by the Laguna Ocean Foundation, the annual festival aims to raise awareness about the vital role that the local kelp forest plays in supporting marine life.

The event kicked off with a beach cleanup initiative that successfully removed over 50 pounds of trash from Main Beach within just one hour. This effort underscores the festival’s focus on public engagement and community involvement in protecting the coastal ecosystem.

KelpFest has been running since 2010, seeking to inform and educate attendees on the significance of protecting and restoring coastal areas. The festival’s efforts coincide with National Ocean Month, emphasizing the importance of ocean conservation through a variety of interactive activities, exhibits, and hands-on STEAM education.

Local organizations actively participated in KelpFest, including the American Cetacean Society, California State Parks, Laguna Bluebelt, Laguna Canyon Foundation, Orange County Coastkeeper, Pacific Marine Mammal Center, San Pedro-based Kelp Ark, and the Shark Lab at California State University, Long Beach. These groups showcased various exhibits, offering attendees an array of resources dedicated to marine conservation.

Among the festival highlights was the “Algae Walk and Talk,” where participants explored different algae species along the beach and tidepools, gaining insights into the unique marine life that inhabits the locality. Children were also entertained with creative activities such as painting flounders and scallops, with the assistance of the Huntington Beach Mermaids, who helped kids dress up as mermaids.

Adding to the festive atmosphere was live music performed by the SeaView Serenaders, creating an enjoyable backdrop for the various activities throughout the day. KelpFest featured interactive exhibits and art demonstrations to engage both children and adults, fostering a deeper connection with marine conservation issues.

Laguna Beach’s coastline, designated as a Marine Protected Area, supports flourishing kelp forests, which enhance biodiversity and contribute to a healthy marine ecosystem. The festival is designed not only to celebrate the ocean but also to inspire future generations to become environmental stewards and actively protect the delicate kelp forest ecosystem.

Nancy Caruso, a marine biologist and the founder of KelpFest, pointed out that the positive effects of community efforts play a crucial role in maintaining and revitalizing local kelp forests. By encouraging participation from all walks of life, KelpFest aims to instill a sense of responsibility and awareness regarding ocean and environmental stewardship in attendees.

With its array of activities, educational opportunities, and community participation, KelpFest 2025 proved to be a successful event in furthering the mission of ocean conservation while aligning with the interests and capabilities of the Laguna Beach community.

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Additional Resources

• Laguna Beach Independent
• Wikipedia: Kelp forest
• Los Angeles Times
• Google Search: kelpfest
• Patch
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Ocean conservation