Science Social at the Field Station with David Helvarg, Author of The Forest of the Sea

Science Social: ‘The Forest of the Sea’ A talk on kelp, climate and the future of the Ocean Guest Presenter: David Helvarg Saturday, August 8, 2026 5:00 - 7:30 PM 5:00 Happy Hour (Food, wine, beer, and soft drinks) 6:00 Presentation Begins Author and Ocean activist David Helvarg will recount his memorable 2-year journey beneath the waves and through kelp’s natural and human history that spans the globe. Also, the 500 billion dollars of products and services it contributes to our economy and the human activities that threaten its survival. While they cover more space than the Amazon Rainforest, kelp forests are largely out of sight and out of mind below the cold waters of up to one third of the world’s coastlines, including some of which he got to dive in and sail across. He’ll highlight the people working for the understanding, protection, restoration and edible harvesting of this amazing macroalgae (including those discussed in Chapter 6 - 'Fort Bragg') and the more than 1,000 species from sea otters to salmon to sea dragons that depend on it. He’ll also talk about what each of us can do in our day to day lives to make a difference for our blue marble planet’s flora and fauna, both wet and dry, that we are all entangled with. David will also be signing copies of his book earlier in the day, on Saturday, August, at the Discovery Center, from 1-3 PM.