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Sea stars, also known as starfish, are critically important to California’s coastal ecosystems. Sadly, one species is critically endangered. You can help: This December, head to the coast to search for sunflower stars and share your photos on iNaturalist.

Sea star wasting syndrome decimated sea star populations along the entire West Coast between 2013 and 2014, hitting sunflower sea stars (Pycnopodia helianthoides), giant pink sea stars (Pisaster brevispinus), and ochre sea stars (Pisaster ochraceus) particularly hard. Many species are still struggling to bounce back—and the sunflower star may even be considered locally extinct in some areas. We lack data on many sea star species and need your help to gather more information on where these species are found.

Because tides are at their lowest point in December and June due to the winter and summer solstices, it's the best time of year for California beachgoers to search for sea stars—and make a difference for the recovery of these important species.

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Join the search!

A volunteer explores a California tidepool and takes pictures to share on iNaturalist

Participating in the Solstice Sea Star Search is easy and fun—no sea star expertise required.

Participate on your own:

  1. Download the iNaturalist app for iOS or Android and create an account if you don’t already have one.
  2. Join the Winter Solstice Sea Star Search project on iNaturalist.
  3. Head to a tidepool site during low tide, using TideFinder to find low tides near you.
  4. Search for sea stars, especially sunflower and giant pink sea stars, and share your observations on iNaturalist.
  5. Spread the word with hashtag #SolsticeSeaStarSearch!
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Three volunteers explore a California tidepool during City Nature Challenge and document their observations on iNaturalist

Participate during a bioblitz event:

The Academy’s Center for Biodiversity and Community Science (CBCS) is hosting two bioblitz events in the Bay Area, with additional partner events statewide:

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California's most wanted (sea stars)

During the Solstice Sea Star Search, please keep an extra-keen eye out for the seven sea star species featured in the gallery below, and make sure to share your observations on iNaturalist.

  • Sunflower star, or Pycnopodia, with many arms and a vibrant fuschia color, in a California tidepool. Photo by Rebecca Johnson
    Sunflower sea stars (Pycnopodia helianthoides) are critically endangered and locally extinct in much of their former range along the West Coast. Photo © Rebecca Johnson, licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0
  • Giant pink sea star
    Giant pink sea stars (Pisaster brevispinus) are among the largest sea stars on Earth. They can be found in California north of La Jolla. 
  • Colorful bat stars and purple urchins in a California tidepool. Photo by Esmeralda Plascencia
    Bat stars (Patiria miniata) are often vibrantly colored with characteristic "webbing" between their arms. They can be found throughout California. Photo © Esmeralda Plascencia, licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0
  • Henricia pumila sea star. Photo by Cricket Raspet
    Dwarf mottled henricia (Henricia pumila) have a distinctive mottled pattern. They can be found throughout California. Photo © Cricket Raspet, licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0
  • Leather sea star in a tidepool at Pillar Point in San Mateo County. Photo by Gayle Laird
    Leather stars (Dermasterias imbricata) can be identified by their smooth, spineless surface. They can be found throughout California. Gayle Laird © 2022 California Academy of Sciences
  • Orange and purple ochre sea stars in a California tidepool. Photo by Olivia Van Damme.
    Ochre sea stars (Pisaster ochraceus) are a relatively common sight in California tidepools and are usually colored a rich orange or purple. Photo © Olivia VanDamme, licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0
  • A small six-rayed sea star in a Mendocino County tidepool during a Snapshot Cal Coast bioblitz. Photo by Nicole Ravicchio
    Six-rayed stars (Leptasterias hexactis) are among the smaller species of sea stars. They can be found in California north of the Channel Islands. Nicole Ravicchio © 2024 California Academy of Sciences
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Seeing stars at the Academy

The Academy is part of a multi-institution collaborative working to bolster populations of critically endangered sunflower sea stars (Pycnopodia helianthoides) in human care, with a goal of eventually reintroducing this species back into the wild.

In this recorded Member Talk, learn how Academy scientists are perfecting the art of raising Pycnopodia—and preparing our Pycnopodia babies for their December 10 debut in Steinhart Aquarium's Water Planet exhibition!

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All upcoming bioblitz events

Solstice Sea Star Search bioblitz events will be hosted in coastal counties throughout California. Events are listed by county from north to south.

Please check back frequently—events and details are still being added!

Del Norte County

Sat., Dec. 14
Pebble Beach, Crescent City
Time TBD
Organized by Tolowa Dunes Stewards and Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation
Register by sending an RSVP to tdseducationseries@gmail.com

Sonoma County

Sat., Dec. 14
Carmet Beach, Bodega Bay
2:30–4:30 p.m.
Organized by Branching OUT Adventures
Learn more and register >>

 

Sat. Dec 14 
Shell Beach, Jenner 
3pm - 5pm 
Organized by Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods
Learn more and register >>

San Mateo County

Thu., Dec. 12
Pillar Point, Half Moon Bay
1–5 p.m.
Organized by California Academy of Sciences
Learn more and register >>

Fri., Dec. 13
Pistachio's, Pescadero
2–5:30 p.m.
Organized by California Academy of Sciences and Queer Surf
Learn more and register >>

Santa Cruz County

Sat., Dec. 14
Waddell Creek, Davenport
2–4 p.m.
Organized by Branching OUT Adventures
Learn more and register >>

 

Los Angeles County

Sun., Dec. 15
Leo Carrillo State Park, Malibu
3–4:30 p.m.
Organized by Heal the Bay
Learn more and register >>

Orange County

Sat., Dec. 14
Crescent Bay Cove, Laguna Beach
12:30–4:30 p.m.
Organized by Laguna Ocean Foundation
Registration link coming soon!

Sat., Dec. 14
Killer Dana tidepools, Dana Point
1:30–3:30 p.m.
Organized by City of Dana Point
Registration link coming soon!

San Luis Obispo County 

Sunday, Dec 15th
Leffingwell Landing
3pm - 5pm
Hosted by CA State Parks: SLO Coast District
Learn more here

More to explore
Learn more about the Academy's latest community science and regeneration projects in California.
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Dramatic view of Pillar Point bluffs with green cliffs and tidepools along the coast
Thriving California

We aim to regenerate biodiversity, build climate resilience, and advance equitable access to nature statewide.

Researchers collect gametes from spawning Sunflower star.
Successful Spawning and Cross-Fertilization Bring Hope for the Critically Endangered Sunflower Star

Academy biologists will employ their larval rearing expertise to raise the young sea stars to adulthood.

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A bright orange bat star against a bed of deep green seaweed on a Mendocino County beach. Photo by Nicole Ravicchio
The Coast with the Most
The wade is over! View a gallery of wildlife photos from Snapshot Cal Coast that made the biggest splash.