#199 | Sea Otters & Kelp Forests: Rewilding Oregon’s Coast with Chanel Hason

In this episode of Rewildology, Brooke sits down with Chanel Hason, Director of Outreach and Community Relations at Elakha Alliance, to explore the ambitious effort to reintroduce sea otters to Oregon’s coastline. Chanel shares her incredible journey from marine biologist to conservation advocate and how Elakha Alliance is working with tribes, scientists, and local communities to restore balance to marine ecosystems. We dive into the vital role sea otters play in controlling sea urchin populations, protecting kelp forests, and fostering resilience along the coast. You’ll learn how grassroots conservation efforts are making waves and why restoring sea otters could be key to Oregon’s coastal future.

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Recording gear provided by Mojave and Focusrite.

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Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview00:07 The Absence of Sea Otters on the Oregon Coast00:46 Meet Chanel Hason: From Marine Biologist to Community Leader03:28 Chanel's Journey: From SeaWorld to Miss Scuba10:13 The Historical Context of Sea Otters in the U.S.14:09 The Founding of the Elakha Alliance16:11 The Impact of Missing Predators on Oregon's Marine Ecosystems22:31 Efforts to Reintroduce Sea Otters to Oregon28:12 Socioeconomic Considerations and Future Prospects31:03 Conservation Tourism and Sea Otters32:11 Indigenous Communities and Sea Otters35:22 The Importance of Sea Otters in Ecosystems40:07 Challenges and Strategies for Kelp Forest Restoration43:13 Future Goals and Political Advocacy49:07 Personal Journey and Career Advice53:42 Supporting Alaka and Sea Otter Conservation55:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts