Solstice Sea Star Search Dec. 20-23

Community Science Opportunity!

Together with The Nature Conservancy and the California Academy of Sciences, the Noyo Center for Marine Science is participating in a statewide campaign to gather observations of sea stars along the CA coast.

December's evening low tides are the perfect time to search local tide-pools for sea stars. Researchers from the California Academy of Sciences are documenting all sea stars but are especially interested in finding Sunflower Sea Stars (Pycnopodia helianthoides) living along the California coast.

Why sunflower stars? Sunflower stars are incredibly important keystone predators in our kelp forests and were especially hard-hit by sea star wasting syndrome. While we know there are some sunflower star populations still out there, they're pretty hard to find.

This is a fun opportunity to explore tide pools and contribute to an important community science initiative.

To participate:

Join Noyo Center for Marine Science docents this Dec. 20–23 at MacKerricher State Park tide pools.
Sign-up form here: https://forms.gle/zsPgPz2gUdfDDApr6

Or head out to your favorite tide pool location during the lowest low tide on December 20th-23rd.

Check tide-forecast.com for up-to-date tide information.

Document any stars you see with @iNaturalist app. If you’re lucky enough to spot a Sunflower Sea Star, send the @iNaturalist observation link to solsticeseastarsearch@gmail.com & report it at bit.ly/sunflowerspotted

However you choose to participate please be safe out there. Watch for changing conditions and sneaker waves, along with the changing tide.