Nancy Caruso

Kelp forest

How a determined marine biologist and volunteers saved a giant kelp forest off California’s coast

Environment

Twelve years ago, marine biologist Nancy Caruso and a group of students and volunteer divers began restoring the kelp forests off the coast of Orange County, California. In August 2014, when huge mounds of the giant seaweed started piling up on Laguna Beach — to the consternation of tourists and beach-goers — Caruso knew the project had succeeded.