San Francisco
Seaweed & Kelp Identification & Harvest
An Intro to Coastal Foraging
This hands-on workshop invites our community to step into the intertidal world and learn the art and science of seaweed foraging. Together we’ll explore the incredible diversity of local kelp and seaweeds—how to identify species with confidence, understand their ecological roles, and recognize their seasonal rhythms. Participants will also gain practical knowledge of sustainable and respectful harvesting practices, ensuring that this vital coastal resource continues to thrive for generations to come.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll not only be able to tell your feather boa kelp from your nori, but you’ll also carry with you a deeper sense of connection to the ocean’s edge, the cycles of tide and moon, and the nourishment these remarkable marine plants bring to our bodies and communities.
Ticket Type
When
10/19
Time
3:30 PM - 6:45 PM
Intensity
About
Nathan Cann has spent the past decade as a kelp harvester and tide pool enthusiast, working commercially for Rising Tide Sea Vegetables while also cooking in some of Mendocino County’s top restaurants. He helps run the Larry Spring Museum, an experimental nonprofit art center dedicated to the inventive spirit of the late TV repairman and tinkerer Larry Spring. Over the past year, Nathan has focused on leading guided tide pool education and sustainable harvesting of seaweed, purple urchins, and mussels. He is also an organizer of the North Coast Kelp Fest, a yearly celebration in Mendocino that raises awareness and funds for kelp restoration and ocean research.
What's Included
- Guided coastal foraging session led by Nathan Cann, covering seaweed identification, ecology, and sustainable harvesting techniques.
- Hands-on harvesting experience — expect to collect up to 10 lbs. of edible seaweed.
- Opportunity to harvest purple urchins (a valid California fishing license is required for participation).