Dive into Santa Barbara Channel Island Kelp Forests Through Ralph A. Clevenger’s Photography
SBMM is proud to announce the upcoming exhibition Redwoods of the Sea: Life in the Channel Islands Kelp Forests featuring the extraordinary photography of renowned naturalist and underwater photographer Ralph A. Clevenger. The exhibition opens on September 11, 2025 and will be on view through January 4, 2026.
Imagine swimming through a swaying forest where shafts of sunlight flicker across the seafloor and schools of fish weave through a towering underwater landscape. This vibrant, thriving world—one of the most productive and diverse ecosystems on Earth—comes to life in Clevenger’s breathtaking images of the giant kelp forests surrounding the Santa Barbara Channel Islands.
Giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) can grow up to two feet a day, reaching lengths of over 100 feet. These towering marine forests protect our coastline from erosion, provide vital habitat for nearly a thousand species of plants and animals, and play a crucial role in sequestering millions of tons of carbon each year. Kelp forests even contribute to everyday products like ice cream and cosmetics.
However, this critical ecosystem is under threat. Rising ocean temperatures and an explosion of sea urchin populations have led to a devastating 95 percent loss of kelp along some stretches of the California coast. Clevenger’s work not only celebrates the extraordinary beauty of these marine forests but also underscores the urgent need for conservation.
“Ralph Clevenger’s photography immerses viewers in the vibrant underwater world of our local kelp forests,” said SBMM Curator Emily Falke. “His images not only showcase the stunning beauty of these marine ecosystems but also highlight the urgent need for their conservation. We hope this exhibition inspires a deeper appreciation and commitment to protecting our ocean’s vital habitats.”
Through Marine Protected Areas and collaborative restoration efforts, there is hope for the recovery and resilience of these vital undersea ecosystems.
“Our kelp forests are not just beautiful—they are essential to life along our coast,” says Clevenger. “Through these images, I hope to inspire people to appreciate and protect one of the planet’s most extraordinary and endangered habitats.”
About the Photographer: Ralph A. Clevenger
Ralph A. Clevenger grew up on the coast of North Africa, where he began diving at the age of seven with his father. Deeply influenced by the films of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, Clevenger pursued a career in marine biology, working as a diver/biologist for the Scripps Institution of Oceanography before transitioning into professional photography.
He later attended the Brooks Institute of Photography, where he spent 33 years as a senior faculty member teaching natural history and underwater photography.
Based in Santa Barbara, Clevenger has traveled extensively throughout the world, capturing images in Antarctica, Africa, Australia, Alaska, and beyond. Now retired from commercial photography, he focuses his work on supporting environmental and social causes close to his heart. He is also the author of Photographing Nature, published by New Riders.
Clevenger’s photography continues to educate, inspire, and deepen the connection between people and the natural world—both above and beneath the surface.
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