The Great Southern Reef Foundation is a passionate Australian charity with a vision to inspire society to become active stewards of Australia’s kelp forests.

The greatest threat to the reef is climate change. The GSR covers two global warming hotspots - that is two areas where the rate of ocean warming has been in the top 10% globally over the last 5 years. This warming has already seen dramatic and devastating changes across all life on the GSR, and is projected to keep increasing. 

In Tasmania, scientists estimate that giant kelp forests have declined by over 95% since the 1940’s. 

Science, industry and organisations across Tasmania are working together to reverse this trend. By collecting kelp spores from remaining wild populations, scientists are able to culture and store large quantities of kelp babies in the laboratory to then be transplanted back onto the reef to restore and rebuild giant kelp forests, from where they have been lost. This innovative approach offers a promising avenue for the future of Tasmania’s giant kelp forests in a rapidly changing climate. 

To learn more about the GSRF, get involved, or make a donation to support their conservation & education efforts