A student from Dalhousie University is using their love for conservation and art to assist in the restoration of native kelp populations. The warmer ocean temperatures in Nova Scotia have significantly reduced the kelp population, impacting its role as a food source and habitat for marine species.
Kit Tymoshuk created clay pots designed to nurture baby kelp, providing support for its growth and anchorage. They were inspired by the concept of growing kelp on unconventional materials like clay pots, instead of the traditional method of using rocks. With a grant of $5,000 from Ocean Wise, an environmental organization based in British Columbia, Tymoshuk gathered wild clay from various bogs during the summer to craft the pots.
Opting for locally sourced wild clay over commercial clay, Tymoshuk collected and processed over five kilograms of clay, ensuring its purity and suitability for their project. They carefully tested the clay to ensure its resilience to high kiln temperatures. The final choice of clay included a blend of wild clay from Stewiacke and Annapolis Royal, supplemented with some commercial clay.
The design of the clay pots was crucial, balancing aesthetics with functionality. Tymoshuk aimed for textured exteriors to provide a solid foundation for the kelp to attach to, while maintaining straight walls to allow optimal light exposure for kelp growth. Drawing inspiration from natural elements like corals and barnacles, the pots were crafted to blend seamlessly with the ocean environment.
Using a pottery wheel in their backyard, Tymoshuk brought their designs to life, with the assistance and documentation provided by their roommate and friend, Teigan Labor. Once the pots were completed, Tymoshuk transported them to the Aquatron Laboratory at Dalhousie University. Here, they initiated the process of introducing kelp spores into a controlled setting within the pots, fostering the growth of baby kelp.
After five weeks, the baby kelp began to flourish atop the pots, signaling their readiness for deployment. Tymoshuk, accompanied by Labor, transported the pots to Cranberry Cove, near Peggys Cove, for placement in the ocean. Labor, an enthusiastic snorkeler, appreciated the evolution of the project, from collecting wild clay to returning the kelp to the ocean as a form of underwater art.
Tymoshuk expressed hope that fellow snorkelers would monitor the progress of the kelp growth and appreciate the underwater art installation. They anticipated a speedy growth cycle for the kelp during the winter months, envisioning the classic string-shaped kelp species to thrive upon their next visit to the site.
