Kelp with Dr. April Ridlon

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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