Jasmin’s expertise and leadership in kelp ecology, including experimental, field- and diving-based research are a strong asset to Kelp Rescue’s mandate to restore kelp ecosystems around Vancouver Island. She has led research projects on Canada’s Atlantic and Pacific coasts with a focus on kelp and urchin dynamics.

Lauren contributes expertise in marine community ecology, researching responses to disturbance in ecosystems, and restoration field management. She also has extensive experience with scientific diving and planning deep-sea oceanographic cruises.

Duncan brings several years of kelp culturing, scientific diving and marine operations experience to our team. When he’s not managing the day-to-day operations of our Bamfield kelp nursery, Duncan also assists in the field, conducting kelp growth and biodiversity monitoring scuba surveys.

Tessa (she/her) is a Master's student working in partnership with the Kelp Rescue Initiative and supported by NSERC. Her research focuses on mapping urchin distributions and testing strategies to mitigate herbivory to enhance active kelp forest restoration in British Columbia.

Jordan is a postdoc in Greg Owens’ lab at the University of Victoria, where he is studying the conservation genomics of kelp. His research interests include population genomics, molecular ecology, and biogeography.

Sean brings more than 25 years of experience leading research in population persistence and adaptation to environmental change. His particular focus is in marine fishes, including pacific salmon.

Maisie brings a diverse, interdisciplinary research background, ranging from chemistry and engineering to seaweed development and cultivation. At Kelp Rescue, she carries out fundamental biological research and develops new innovations to support the sustainable scale-up of restoration efforts.

Brian is leading multiple KRI projects focusing on historical changes to kelp distribution and the potential ecological benefits of restoration in the Salish Sea. He is a National Geographic Explorer with an MSc in remote sensing, currently working on his PhD with Prof. Baum.

Alec is a Master’s student working in collaboration with the Ocean Conservation Lab and the Kelp Rescue Initiative, supported by Mitacs. His research focuses on how small, non-urchin grazers affect juvenile kelp recruits and ways to reduce these impacts to enhance the survival of out-planted juvenile kelp.

With more than 20 years experience leading conservation-relevant ocean science research, Julia brings her broad expertise in marine ecology, data synthesis, EDI and climate change impacts and solutions to the initiative.

Connie is an elder from the Pune'luxutth Tribe and brings a love for the culture and traditions of all first peoples. With more than 20 years of commercial fishing she has a true love for coastal communities and restoring a healthy ocean. Connie brings experience from working with DFO and Arts & Culture within the Chemainus Valley.

Matt (he/him) completed his Bachelor of Engineering and Biosciences in 2020, during which he developed strong quantitative, statistical, and programming/modeling skills. Pursuing his love for the ocean, he joined the Baum lab shortly after, where as a PhD candidate he uses these skills to develop species distribution models for kelp taxa found throughout BC.

Matt is a seasoned scientific diver with experience working at several Canadian universities. At the Kelp Rescue Initiative, he conducts underwater biodiversity monitoring and kelp growth surveys associated with various projects.