Planting a Kelp Forest

Saint Robert levitating a rope

Amanda centering a cartridge

Rob and Amanda have some amazing gardens on their property at Ford's Cove; Rob's mom Anna being the main Grand Overseer and Creative Director in that effort. Yesterday Doug and I got to participate in the creation of a whole new kind of garden with the Zielinski duo. This one is under the ocean off the south east shoulder of Hornby.

Years ago there were masses of kelp forests throughout the region. They function as habitat for many many creatures, not the least of which is the salmon. R & A have decided to start working with The Nile Creek Enhancement Society to begin efforts to help restore some of these kelp beds along the coastline of their home grounds.

Kelp spore cartridges of string wrapped around pvc pipe

We went out on the boat with them to help lay rope at on the ocean floor that strings of kelp spores would wrap around to begin the process of creating an environment to establish new kelp beds. I'm not sure how long it will be until we see whether or not the kelp will take, but these are the first steps. Our assistance was limited to feeding Rob and Amanda rope from the boat to the water, and passing them the cartridges of kelp spores.

Swimming out with rope and cartridge of spores   

It was great to be out in the sun and see the sea lions, seals and sea birds. It was also a treat to see Rob and Amanda do their thing as commercial divers. This was Rob's first dive since his accident in Fiji so it was especially uplifting to see him get back on the horse.