
Kelp with Dr. April Ridlon
From Plant People by New York Botanical Garden
June 8, 2026 · 27 min · Season 3 · Episode 10
About this episode
The episode discusses the importance of kelp forests and their ecological and economic benefits.
In our final Plant People episode of Season 3, we explore forests of a different sort—those that live beneath the ocean’s waves. Along many of the world’s coastlines, kelp forests offer food and shelter for a wide variety of animal species among their countless waving fronds of seaweed, while protecting our coasts from erosion and even benefiting our economy. Listen in as host Jennifer Bernstein, CEO & The William C. Steere President of NYBG, is joined by Dr. April Ridlon of the Monterey Bay Aquarium to discuss the vast importance of kelp forests and the ways humans have thrown their environment off balance.
People in this episode
Host: Jennifer Bernstein
Guest: Dr. April Ridlon
Topics covered
- kelp forests
- marine ecosystems
- environmental impact
- coastal protection
- biodiversity
Keywords
- kelp
- forests
- marine life
- coastal erosion
- environmental balance
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Monterey Bay Aquarium, New York Botanical Garden
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