Oregon

In Oregon, new momentum has been catalysed by a grassroots surge in community and Tribal involvement. The Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians, and the Coquille Indian Tribe, among others, have emerged as key partners in kelp restoration through hands-on stewardship and cultural leadership. Prominent Tribal advocacy has focused on sea otter reintroduction, particularly through the non-profit Elakha Alliance, which has helped raise awareness of Oregon’s kelp forest ecosystems. The Oregon Kelp Alliance, a non-profit organization, has brought together community members, fishers, regulators, university scientists, and community science groups to elevate kelp in the public consciousness and initiate restoration and preservation projects. A notable development has been the formal recognition of sea urchin culling as a legitimate management tool rather than solely a scientific experiment. This shift was formalized through Letters of Authorization issued by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, enabling trained divers to reduce urchin densities in targeted areas. While state agencies have supported flexible regulatory pathways, most funding for kelp stewardship has come from federal sources and private philanthropy rather than state budgets. At the same time, restoration is being framed as a workforce opportunity, linking ecological recovery with economic development in rural and coastal communities.