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.
Join the search!
Participating in the Solstice Sea Star Search is easy and fun—no sea star expertise required.
Participate on your own:
- Download the iNaturalist app for iOS or Android and create an account if you don’t already have one.
- Join the Winter Solstice Sea Star Search project on iNaturalist.
- Head to a tidepool site during low tide, using TideFinder to find low tides near you.
- Search for sea stars, especially sunflower and giant pink sea stars, and share your observations on iNaturalist.
- Spread the word with hashtag #SolsticeSeaStarSearch!
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:
- Thu., Dec. 12: Pillar Point Harbor, Half Moon Bay, 1–5 p.m. Learn more and register >>
- Fri., Dec. 13: Pigeon Point, Pescadero, 2–5 p.m. Cohosted by Queer Surf. Learn more and register >>
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.
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!
All upcoming bioblitz events
Sat., Dec. 14
Pebble Beach, Crescent City
Time TBD
Organized by Tolowa Dunes Stewards and Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation
Registration link coming soon!
Sat., Dec. 14
Carmet Beach, Bodega Bay
2:30–4:30 p.m.
Organized by Branching OUT Adventures
Learn more and register >>
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 >>
Sat., Dec. 14
Waddell Creek, Davenport
2–4 p.m.
Organized by Branching OUT Adventures
Learn more and register >>
Sun., Dec. 15
Leo Carrillo State Park, Malibu
3–4:30 p.m.
Organized by Heal the Bay
Learn more and register >>
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!