The Kelp Forest ﻿Challenge: A collaborative global movement to protect and restore 4 million hectares of kelp forests
Authors: Eger Aaron , Aguirre J. David , Altamirano María , Arafeh-Dalmau Nur , Arroyo Nina Larissa , Bauer-Civiello Anne M. , Beas-Luna Rodrigo , Bekkby Trine , Bellgrove Alecia , Bennett Scott , Bernal Blanca , Blain Caitlin O. , Boada Jordi , Branigan Simon , Bursic Jasmine , Cevallos Bruno , Choi ChangGeun , Connell Sean D. , Cornwall Christopher Edward , Earp Hannah Scarlett , Eddy Norah , Ennis Lee-Ann , Falace Annalisa , Ferreira Ana Margarida , Filbee-Dexter Karen , Forbes Hunter , Francis Prue , Franco Joao N. , Geisler Karen Gray , Giraldo-Ospina Anita , Gonzalez Alejandra V. , Hingorani Swati , Hohman Rietta , Iveša Ljiljana , Kaleb Sara , Keane John P. , Koch Sophie J. I. , Krumhansl Kira , Ladah Lydia , Lafont Dallas J. , Layton Cayne , Le Duong Minh , Lee Lynn Chi , Ling Scott D. , Lonhart Steve I. , Malpica-Cruz Luis , Mangialajo Luisa , McConnell Amy , McHugh Tristin Anoush , Micheli Fiorenza , Miller Kelsey Irene , Monserrat Margalida , Montes-Herrera Juan , Moreno Bernabé , Neufeld Christopher J. , Orchard Shane , Peabody Betsy , Peleg Ohad , Pessarrodona Albert , Pocklington Jacqueline B. , Reeves Simon E. , Ricart Aurora M. , Ross Finnley , Schanz Federica Romina , Schreider Maria , Sedarat Mohammad , Smith Shannen M. , Starko Samuel , Strain Elisabeth M. A. , Tamburello Laura , Timmer Brian , Toft Jodie E. , Uribe Roberto A. , van den Burg Sander W. K. , Vásquez Julio A. , Veenhof Reina J. , Wernberg Thomas , Wood Georgina , Zepeda-Domínguez José Alberto , Vergès Adriana 
Published: October 2023

AbstractMarine kelp forests cover 1/3 of our world's coastlines, are heralded as a nature-based solution to address socio-environmental issues, connect hundreds of millions of people with the ocean, and support a rich web of biodiversity throughout our oceans. But they are increasingly threatened with some areas reporting over 90% declines in kelp forest cover in living memory. Despite their importance and the threats they face, kelp forests are entirely absent from the international conservation dialogue. No international laws, policies, or targets focus on kelp forests and very few countries consider them in their national policy. The Kelp Forest Challenge addresses that gap. Together with 252 kelp experts, professionals, and citizens from 25 countries, the Kelp Forest Challenge was developed as a grassroots vision of what the world can achieve for kelp forest conservation. It is a global call to restore 1 million and protect 3 million hectares of kelp forests by 2040. This is a monumental challenge, that will require coordination across multiple levels of society and the mobilization of immense resources. Pledges may therefore include area for protection or restoration, enabling pledges which assist in conservation (funding, equipment, professional expertise, capacity building), or awareness-based pledges which increase awareness or education about kelp forests. Correspondingly, participants may be from government, scientific institutions, private sector, NGOs, community groups, or individuals. This challenge is the beginning of a 17-year mission to save our kelp forests and anyone and any organisation is invited to participate.