Photo by Erica Bleke

Kelp and seaweed in Washington state are collaboratively managed and and regulated by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) in coordination with other land managers and treaty tribes. 

DNR manages state aquatic landsincluding marine bedlands and aquatic reserves, as well as kelp protection, monitoring, and restoration programs. WDFW regulates recreational kelp harvesting through seaweed rules, licenses, and enforcement, as well as supporting research and conservation efforts.

A new collaborative social science research project is working to better understand human interactions with, connections to, and uses of kelp to inform future management, conservation, and harvesting opportunities. Participants will include recreational and commercial seaweed harvesters, individuals or organizations involved in kelp conservation, and other stakeholders, partners, or interested members of the public.

This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under assistance agreement PC-01J89501 through the WDFW. The contents of this website do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the EPA or WDFW, nor does the mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN WORKSHOPS

Sign up for the next workshop HERE!

Adults (18 years and older) with ties to Puget Sound (e.g., living, working, recreating, and visiting) are invited to participate in a series of eight in-person workshops and a photo-based activity focused on kelp. The workshop series and the photo activity will take place from May through October 2026. Workshops will last between 1.5-2.5 hours, while the photo-based activity will largely be based on how much time participants want to engage. 

If you would like to participate, please share your contact information with us (see link below), so we can ensure you are informed when these activities take place. You can also check back on this webpage for up-to-date information as the project progresses.

WDFW would like to know how people interact with and benefit from kelp in Puget Sound. Working in close collaboration with the Asia Pacific Cultural Center, DNR, Northwest Straits Commission, and Cascadia Consulting Group this study aims to better understand human-kelp relationships in Puget Sound. This study includes contributions from WDFW’s first Conservation Social Science Fellow, a current graduate student from Washington State University.

This study includes:

1. A series of community workshops;
2. Participatory mapping activity (during workshops); and
3. Interactive photo-based (photovoice) activity (concurrent with workshops).

This research project aims to:

• enhance knowledge of the human dimensions of kelp;
• expand knowledge of kelp stressors;
• connect kelp and human wellbeing;
• build new community relationships; and
• update kelp communications, education, and outreach.

How to participate or learn more

People interested in participating should sign up for information about upcoming workshops and other updates using WDFW’s project sign-up form.

If you want to learn more, please contact: David J. Trimbach, Ph.D., WDFW conservation social scientist, at David.Trimbach@dfw.wa.gov. Please continue to check this website for project updates.

Dates, locations, and RSVP information for each workshop will be posted on this webpage as they become available.

Project material translation and in-person interpretation during the workshops will also be provided upon request. Additionally, individuals who need to receive this information in an alternative format, language, or who need reasonable accommodations to participate in WDFW-sponsored public meetings or other activities may submit a request at wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation, 833-885-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.