North Coast KelpFest!
Photo: Patrick Webster
North Coast KelpFest!
October 9 - 12, 2026
Art + Science + Food + Film
… and Fun!
MENDOCINO + FORT BRAGG
Special Presentation: Update on the Kelp Restoration and Management Plan
Update on the Kelp Restoration
and Management Plan
Sunday, October 11, 2026
1:30-2:30 PM
Noyo Center for Marine Science Field Station
32430 N. Harbor Drive in Fort Bragg
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (Department), in close collaboration and with support from the Ocean Protection Council (OPC) and other partners, continues to develop a statewide, adaptive, ecosystem-based Kelp Restoration and Management Plan (KRMP) for giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera, and bull kelp, Nereocystis luetkeana, that will guide the state’s efforts to manage, protect, and restore kelp forests in California waters. A multi-pronged approach, consisting of a Community Working Group (CWG), Science Advisory Committee (SAC), and ongoing Tribal Engagement, is underway to ensure the development of the KRMP is informed by the best available science and community perspectives across the state of California. We will discuss recent kelp action in California, the core components of the KRMP, and the KRMP’s overall development process and opportunities for engagement.
Ocean Aquaculture Panel Discussion: Red Abalone
Possibly one of the only known photos of a Red Abalone (Haliotis rufescens) spawning in the wild. Photo: Marco Mazza
Ocean Aquaculture Panel Discussion:
Red Abalone
Sunday, October 11, 2026
2:30-4:30 PM
Noyo Center for Marine Science Field Station
32430 N. Harbor Drive in Fort Bragg
Dive deep into the topic of regenerative aquaculture with a panel discussion hosted by the Noyo Center.
The program will include scientists involved with current research and recovery programs focused on red abalone and a tour of the Noyo Marine Science Center aquaculture projects.
A tasting of farmed abalone from Cultured Abalone in Santa Barbara will be served together with local beer from North Coast Brewery. Recommended donation of $10 at the door.
A Special Seafood Dinner in Noyo Harbor
Summer Seafood Dinner
Saturday, July 18, 2026
6PM-8PM
Noyo Center Marine Field Station
32430 N. Harbor Drive
Fort Bragg, California
Featuring a five-course menu with a seafood entree
Menu curated and cooked by our board member Dania Stoneham
Vegan and gluten free options available
One glass of wine or craft beer included
Additional wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages
available for purchase.
$125
Proceeds to benefit the Noyo Center for Marine Science programs.
Noyo Center Science Social: Know Your Whales: Happywhale and the Stories of Five North Pacific Humpbacks
Join us for a special evening with Ted Cheeseman,
Co-Founder & Director of Happy Whale
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Noyo Center Marine Field Station
5:00 Happy Hour (Food, wine, beer, and soft drinks)
6:00 Presentation Begins
Happywhale and North Pacific humpback whale conservation science through the stories of five whales
Ted will explore the life histories of five individual humpback whales including Big Mama and her family of the Salish Sea, Fran and her daughter of California, and Old Timer of Alaska, to illustrate modern marine conservation science. These stories show how great an impact every contributor to citizen science has in helping us understand and protect great whales and our oceans, while revealing insights into their unique culture and biology.
About Ted Cheeseman:
Dr. Ted Cheeseman is a research fellow at the University of California Santa Cruz and co-founder and director of Happywhale, a research collaboration and citizen science platform that uses AI-powered image recognition to track individual whales globally. He completed his PhD in Marine Science at Southern Cross University, Australia, where his widely collaborative work on North Pacific humpback whale populations leveraged AI technology to identify nearly every living whale in the region—revealing that one-third of Hawaiʻi's humpback population was lost following a three-year marine heatwave.
Born into a family of biologists and expedition leaders, Ted led Antarctic expeditions for 30 years before pivoting to marine science. His research has been published in over 40 peer-reviewed papers, and he has contributed to international research collaborations spanning all the world’s oceans. Through Happywhale, he aims to democratize whale research by bringing together scientists and citizen scientists to document entire ocean populations—achieving in a day what previously required a year of data processing. When not studying whales, Ted is happiest anywhere wild, especially in surf, snow, and high mountains.
There is no charge for this event, but a suggested $10 donation at the door (or online) to help support these events is encouraged.
Space is limited - RSVP here to reserve your spot!
The Last Forests Project Film Screening
Film Screening: The Last Forests Project
Thank you to everyone that joined us for a special screening of The Last Forests Project,
and to filmmakers Marco Mazza, Steve Page and Abbey Dias, for donating the proceeds from the evening to the Noyo Center for Marine Science.
For thousands of years, prolific Kelp Beds have spanned across the Northern California coastline, providing some of the most beautiful and biologically diverse and productive ecosystems on earth. Between 2014 and 2018, a series of prolonged environmental stressors and imbalances led to the loss of over 90% of kelp forests between San Francisco and Oregon.
The Last Forests Project is a visual journey through the causes and effects of this ecosystem collapse, as well as the scientific and community efforts in place to help bring back our kelp forests. Our mission is to be the eyes and voice for the forests that we cannot see fall. We hope to inspire change in our coastal communities, and create a legacy of ocean activism.
Noyo Center Science Social: What Washed Ashore in 2025
What Washed Ashore in 2025
Noyo Center Marine Field Station
5:00 Happy Hour
(Mulled wine, warm drinks and snacks)
6:00 Presentation Begins
Join us at the Noyo Center Marine Field Station with Sarah Grimes, Marine Mammal Stranding Coordinator for Noyo Center for Marine Science, who will give us a report of WHAT and WHO has washed ashore in 2025.
Following the presentation there will be an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the work of the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network.
This event will be available both in person and online. ZOOM REGISTRATION
There is no charge for this event, but a suggested $10 donation at the door (or online) to help support these events is encouraged.
Thank you for your support! DONATE here.
Noyo Center Marine Field Station
32430 N. Harbor Drive
Fort Bragg, CA 95437
All marine mammal stranding activities were conducted under authorization by the National Marine Fisheries Service through a Stranding Agreement issued to the California Academy of Sciences (SA-WCR-2023-016) and MMPA/ESA Permit No. 24359.
Noyo Pelagics Deepwater Pelagic Birds: Full Day Trip
Deepwater Pelagic Birds
Trips to Sea on the Kraken
Friday, November 21, 2025
7:30 AM; full day trip(7-8 hours)
Cost: $185
Departure: Anchor Boats Charters
Noyo North Harbor at Noyo Fish Company
Join Bird and Marine Mammal experts from the Audubon Society and the Noyo Center for Marine Science for Bird and Whale Watching Trips aboard the Kraken of Anchor Charter Boats! Reservations Required.
Kraken Captain Richard is reporting recent whale sightings including Humpbacks and Fin Whales. Dolphins often ride the bow of the boat, too!
ResilienSea: Fort Bragg Desal Buoy Community Event
Science Talk Recording: Wave Powered Sustainable Desalination Systems
In this presentation Oneka Technologies Chief Commercial Office Shawn Meyer-Steele, who is presenting information about the development of a system that turns seawater into fresh water in an innovative and sustainable way by harnessing wave energy.
60th Anniversary Reception & Screening of “The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming”
60th Anniversary Reception & Screening of
“The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming”
Sunday, November 9, 2025
Noyo Center Field Station and Coast Cinemas
Brace yourself for a comedic “invasion” on the coast as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming, a Cold War classic shot almost entirely on the Mendocino Coast.
2pm-3:30pm: Reception and Pop-Up Exhibit: Free Admission
Noyo Center for Marine Science’s Field Station (used as a filming location) at 32430 N. Harbor Drive in Fort Bragg. Enjoy snacks and drinks as you meet local residents who were extras during the film’s production. Don’t miss the Kelley House Museum’s pop-up exhibit full of memorabilia, which will be on display at the reception and includes historic photos of the premiere at Coast Cinemas. Free admission.
4pm-6pm: 60th Anniversary Screening of
The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming: Tickets $15
Coast Cinemas, 135 S. Franklin St. Fort Bragg. During production, the Fort Bragg Advocate News described the comedic plot as, “the accidental grounding of a Russian submarine because its skipper wanted to get a closer look at the United States. The sub gets hung up on a sandbar and the plot unfolds as the crew determines ways of getting away at the same time Americans are mistaking the accident as an invasion.” The cast included Carl Reiner, Alan Arkin, Eva Marie Saint, Jonathan Winters, Brian Keith, and Ben Blue, plus plenty of locals.
The event is jointly hosted by the Mendocino Film Festival, the Kelley House Museum, and the Noyo Center for Marine Science.
Dine Out for Science: Cafe One
Dine-Out for Science at Cafe 1
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
753 N Main St, Fort Bragg
Enjoy breakfast or lunch on November 16 and help support the Noyo Center for Marine Science by dining out at Cafe One. The restaurant will donate 15% of sales to the Noyo Center to support our ongoing conservation, research, and education.
Café One is dedicated to using organic and non-GMO foods. They offer vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options in addition to a full menu of delicious food. Order in or online for takeout. The restaurant teamed up with us back in June and we're excited to be partnering again. Don't miss this chance to enjoy one of the best meals on the coast and support the Noyo Center at the same time.
Noyo Pelagics Bird and Whale Watching Trips to Sea: Half Day Trip
Noyo Pelagics Bird and Whale Watching Trips to Sea on the Kraken
Monday, November 3, 2025
10:00 AM; half day trip(3-4 hours)
Cost: $125
Departure: Anchor Boats Charters
Noyo North Harbor at Noyo Fish Company
Join Bird and Marine Mammal experts from the Audubon Society and the Noyo Center for Marine Science for Bird and Whale Watching Trips aboard the Kraken of Anchor Charter Boats! Reservations Required.
Kraken Captain Richard is reporting recent whale sightings including Humpbacks and Fin Whales. Dolphins often ride the bow of the boat, too!
French Toast Breakfast in Noyo Harbor: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED
French Toast Breakfast
Sunday, November 2, 2025
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED
Noyo Center Marine Field Station
Noyo Pelagics Deepwater Pelagic Birds & MAmmals: Full Day Trip
Deepwater Pelagic Birds & Mammals
Trips to Sea on the Kraken
Friday, October 31, 2025
7:30 AM; full day trip(7-8 hours)
Cost: $185
Departure: Anchor Boats Charters
Noyo North Harbor at Noyo Fish Company
Join Bird and Marine Mammal experts from the Audubon Society and the Noyo Center for Marine Science for Bird and Whale Watching Trips aboard the Kraken of Anchor Charter Boats! Reservations Required.
Kraken Captain Richard is reporting recent whale sightings including Humpbacks and Fin Whales. Dolphins often ride the bow of the boat, too!
Noyo Center Halloween Party & Science Social: The Weird and Wonderful: Ocean Oddballs and Peculiar Partnerships
Costumes
Encouraged!
The Weird and Wonderful:
Ocean Oddballs
and Peculiar Partnerships
Guest Presenter: Brianna Zuber
Mendocino College Biology Department
Thursday, October 30, 2025
Noyo Center Marine Field Station
32430 N. Harbor Dr., Fort Bragg
5:00 Halloween Happy Hour
6:00 Presentation Begins
Dive into the strange and spectacular world of marine life! This talk will explore the biology behind some of the ocean’s most curious creatures and unexpected partnerships. Perfect for spooky season, learn about vampire squid, tongue-eating isopods, the slimy hagfish, unwanted visitors, ghost reefs, zombie fish, and much more!
Brianna Zuber was born and raised in Georgia. She stayed in Georgia to attend a small college where she took classes like Ecology, Conservation Biology, and Ichthyology, fell in love with working with fishes, and earned a degree in Ecology and Field Biology. After that, she received a Master’s degree in Biology and then finished her Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences. All along the way she studied fishes, ecology, and the environment. She moved to Ukiah in 2016 to work at Mendocino College where she is currently a Biology instructor and teaches courses in Marine Biology, Zoology, and Botany. She lives in Willits with her husband and their three awesome dogs.
There is no charge for this event
but please let us know you are coming:
Vampire Squid Photo: MBARI
Noyo Center Science Social and Presentation with Katherina Audley: From Mexico to Mendocino: Unlocking the Lives of Humpbacks
From Mexico to Mendocino:
Unlocking the Lives of Humpbacks
Insights from 12 years of humpback whale research, with new footage and discoveries shared by Katherina Audley
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Noyo Center Marine Field Station
Katherina will give a 45-minute talk with Q&A, sharing never seen before footage of humpbacks in action—ballet-like movements, surprising encounters with sea turtles, dolphins, and golden cownose rays, and intimate moments between mothers and calves.
Drawing on 12 years of community-powered research in Guerrero, SW Pacific Mexico, Katherina will connect our local whales to their southern breeding grounds and show how this work has contributed to scientific understanding of humpback whales and informed policy across Mexico, the U.S., and Canada.
Don’t miss this chance to deepen your connection to these majestic creatures and the ocean we share.
This event will be available both in person and online.
There is no charge for this event, but a suggested $10 donation at the door (or online) to help support these events is encouraged.
Please let us know you are coming by registering below:
RSVP to attend in person here:
OR RSVP to attend online here:
View the Zoom recording of the program.
Katherina Audley is a National Geographic Explorer, Development Director of the Noyo Center for Marine Science, and founder of Whales of Guerrero. From 2014 to 2024, she led Whales of Guerrero, a community-powered research and education project in Guerrero, Mexico. Over that decade, the project documented humpback whales and generated new insights into their lives, while also training local community members as scientists, guides, and educators. This research has informed how governments in Mexico, the U.S., and Canada understand and protect humpback whales. She has more than 25 years of experience in marine science communication, conservation, and nonprofit leadership.
KelpFest!: Regenerative Aquaculture Panel Discussion and Seaweed Happy Hour
KelpFest!
Regenerative Aquaculture Panel Discussion
and Seaweed Happy Hour
Sunday, October 5, 2025
3:00-5:30 PM
Noyo Center for Marine Science Field Station
32430 N. Harbor Drive in Fort Bragg
Dive deeply into the topic of regenerative aquaculture with a panel discussion hosted by the Noyo Center. The program includes scientists involved with current research programs focused on purple urchins, and the latest in recovery efforts for abalone, bull kelp, and sunflower sea stars. Noyo Center Executive Director Sheila Semans will moderate the program.
Stick around after the program for Seaweed Happy Hour and meet the scientists while you enjoy a little food and drink, including some local wines from Anderson Valley’s Minus Tide Wines, North Coast Brewing Company beer, and non-alcoholic offerings.
There is no ticket price for this event, but a suggested donation of $10 or more helps support our ability to bring you these programs.
Guest Speakers
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Luke’s research interests broadly involve the development of sustainable aquaculture. Specifically, he is working with industry to apply advanced and emerging technologies to help solve issues limiting aquaculture growth. He has primarily used biotechnology to study physiological systems in marine organisms including reproduction, biomineralization, toxicology and nutrition.
Economically incentivizing the harvest of wild purple urchins in aquaculture can help reduce the urchin population and restore kelp forests. However, the urchins in barrens have limited economic value due to their starved state. Aquaculture can help fatten the roe in the urchins and increase their value. To do this a team of researchers, urchin divers, aquaculture farmers, and community members have been working on developing diets optimized for urchin roe growth as well as determining the ideal culture conditions to increase the quality of the roe year-round. Together this research is hoped to provide needed technology and information to jumpstart urchin ranching aquaculture and support kelp recovery.
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Elora López-Nandam is an evolutionary biologist with research interests in the ecology, evolution, and conservation of marine ecosystems. She has used genetics to address a wide range of topics in the ocean, from sea cucumber fisheries in Fiji to coral bleaching in American Samoa. Currently, she combines genomics with aquarium husbandry for important marine animals like corals and sea stars.
Since 2022, the California Academy of Sciences has been optimizing methods to spawn and raise echinoderms, and since 2024, we have led efforts to spawn and raise the first two cohorts of sunflower sea stars in California aquariums. The interdisciplinary team includes the husbandry experts of Steinhart Aquarium and the research expertise of the Academy's biodiversity science division. By combining husbandry experiments with genetics and statistical analysis, we aim to build best practices for conservation breeding programs worldwide. The success of the first two sunflower sea star cohorts has opened new doors for the future of this species in California.
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Dan serves as the Director for Oceans and Aquaculture with the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians, Indigenous peoples of the Sonoma Coast in Northern California. On behalf of Kashia, Dan leads several projects working to advance kelp forest restoration and Tribal aquaculture with academic, government, and non-profit partners on the West Coast of the USA. In addition to his Tribal affiliation, Dan also holds an appointment as a research scientist at the UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory, and he previously worked as Lead Scientist for The Cultured Abalone Farm LLC., one of California's longest running aquaculture businesses. Dan’s work is diverse and collaborative, encompassing themes of ocean food, the conservation of biological diversity, and the sovereignty of indigenous peoples. Dan will speak about the highly collaborative red abalone captive breeding program now underway.
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Torre has been an ecologist since he could crawl. Exploring the dirt, worms, trees, snakes, and birds in his own backyard translated very well when he decided to pursue Marine Biology at Humboldt State University. His fascination with intertidal ecology led him to pursue scientific SCUBA diving, so he could gain a deeper understanding of how coastal ecosystems work.