LogLine
Finding Forests tells the story of the northern coast of California, the crash of the Kelp / Abalone populations and a community's journey to protect the coast they love.
Synopsis
Finding Forests tells the story of the northern coast of California, the crash of the Kelp / Abalone populations and a community's journey to protect the coast they love.
The story opens to imagery of the north coast, rocky cliffs, windswept landscapes and lush forests. Then we go underwater, to the hidden world of the ocean. We see a young woman swimming through kelp. Viewers learn about Shelby Kanawa’s connection to the ocean. Her relationship to the ocean started at a young age when her Father taught her to freedive for abalone, the importance of marine ecology and how to respectfully harvest from the ocean. Shelby shares her love for freediving and the way the sport has changed her life and how it has led her to working as a science diver at the local marine lab in Bodega Bay.
Tristan introduces us to the new coastline we see today, a fraction of the life once seen on the reefs / urchin barrens as far the eye can see and the last of the remaining kelp being eaten by both urchins and the few abalone that are left. As we learn about the issues we lean on the work that she is doing with her team in hopes to bring back the kelp forests and protect the coast for future generations.
Eijler, a local boat builder, woodworker and master fisherman shares stories of what this ecosystem used too look like. He reminds us of our roll as stewards and the importance of showing up for not only your community but the whole land/seascapes were we spend our time. We learn about the Harbor house in Elk, Ca. where we meet Matt, a well known Chef, who is adapting to the new climate by harvesting purple urchins to serve his guests. He weaves storytelling with food to connect his guests with the issues we are all facing on the coast.
The film comes to an end with showcasing the way we can get involved, and exploring the dreamscapes of what it could (must) be returned too.
Summary
The California coastline has always been celebrated for its diverse ecology. From dense kelp forests to thriving river systems, quiet tidepools to one of Earth’s largest whale migrations, this region is the host to thousands of interdependent species of flora and fauna. Scientists reveal that between 2008-2014 93% of the kelp on the north coast have died. Declining kelp forests are not unique to the west coast of North America. From Tasmania to South Africa to Ireland, kelp forests are rapidly becoming endangered. This has been in part due to rising sea temperatures, decline in local predators and the takeover of purple urchins. Kelp forests have been described as one of the most ecologically dynamic and biologically diverse habitats on the planet. They act as nurseries for many of the fisheries that sustain human life around the world. Kelp forests provide a staggering amount of oxygen for our atmosphere and sequester a substantial amount of carbon. Kelp forest habitats are currently being investigated for their role in buffering ocean acidification in near-shore environments. Maintaining the health of our kelp forests is critically important for human health and the wellbeing of the entire planet.
Red Abalone (Haliotis rufescens) are one of the key species being affected in California. They are the largest of any abalone species and are a critical player within the kelp forest ecosystem. For the people that hunt for them and the ecosystems that depend on them, the Red Abalone species is at the heart of the northern California identity. They have been a food staple and important cultural icon for Native Americans. Northern California’s Abalone has long supported one of the world’s most successful recreational fisheries and in 2018, for the first time in history, the fishery was closed due to dwindling populations. Abalone has become a symbol of place, and provides identity for those that brave the cold rugged water of Northern California.
Our team of film makers grew up in close relationship with the coast. Whether exploring and surfing the Sonoma County coastline or having parents in the Sea Urchin fishery, this subject is close to home. In regard to access we live within minutes of most of the locations we are hoping to shoot. Although the elements of the rocky coastline and weather conditions can be rough, our film crew has years of experience working within the restraints of dense fog / high winds and rough seas.
