Meredith McPherson is a PhD Candidate at University of California Santa Cruz in Dr. Raphael Kudela’s lab. Meredith’s research focuses on using remote sensing techniques to study kelp forest systems in northern and central California, from UAVs to, which she became particularly interested in after unprecedented losses of kelp forest occurred in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties. Meredith conducted coinciding UAV and in situ diver surveys along the California coastline in 2019 to investigate spatial dynamics of kelp patches at multiple scales. Though there are challenges associated with mapping the coastal marine environment, these platforms provide a unique perspective and powerful toolset for studying spatial and temporal dynamics of kelp forest ecosystems that Meredith hopes will be applicable to monitoring and restoration.