A California citizen-science event in cooperation with California Academy of Sciences and hosted Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History to track sea star populations and recovery from sea star wasting disease.
Tide pooling takes place during the winter solstice because gravitational forces create the lowest extreme tides of the year, exposing deep rocky intertidal zones.
Participants search for all species, with a special focus on endangered or vulnerable keystone predators like the sunflower star (Pycnopodia helianthoides) and the giant pink sea star (Pisaster brevispinus).
Please download the iNaturalist app. We will collect data by snapping photos of any sea stars found and upload them to the iNaturalist Winter Solstice Sea Star Search Project to help scientists map population numbers and recovery.
REGISTER HERE
Free
Age limit: Open to ages 7+. Youth must be accompanied by an adult.
About the Program Leader:
The walk will be led by Anne Cassell, Education Specialist in the education department at the Santa Cruz Museum on Natural History.
Accessibility and Logistics:
Please let the parking kiosk know you are with the SC Museum of Natural History group to receive complementary parking. Meet at the visitor center.
Free parking is also available on surrounding streets. You may need to walk a little to reach the meeting location.
Please plan to bring any water and snacks you will want during the program.
This program runs rain or shine. Please dress appropriately for all weather and a light walk on some uneven areas. There are 2 restrooms and a drinking fountain located near the parking lot.