Take part in a citizen science opportunity to search for sea stars! The California Academy of Sciences and the Nature Conservancy need your help in finding and reporting sea stars found along the California coast between December 20 and 23. All sea star observations are important for researchers, but they are particularly looking for observations of Sunflower sea stars (Pycnopodia helianthoides). If you find any of these species, please email your iNaturalist sighting to solsticeseastarsearch@gmail.com.

How do we report observations?

We will be using iNaturalist, a free citizen science app used to connect people to nature and advance biodiversity science and conservation. Library staff and Emerald Keepers volunteers can assist you with setting up and using iNaturalist throughout the event on your smart device. A marine biologist will be there to help identify critters in the tide pools.