Sunflower Star Lab: First Temporary Experimental Outplanting of Sunflower Stars in California Marks Major Milestone in Ocean Recovery

Dec 11 - In a historic first for California, juvenile sunflower stars, reared in human care, were successfully placed into the ocean and later retrieved as part of a pioneering field study aimed at restoring one of the Pacific’s most ecologically vital and endangered marine species. Led by nonprofit Sunflower Star Laboratory (and several other conservation entities) this collaborative effort marks a turning point in the fight to recover sunflower stars and the kelp forests they help sustain. As sunflower stars have not been seen in central California since 2018 and are listed as critically-endangered by the IUCN, this milestone for California.. (offers) hope for the recovery of kelp forests and the countless species that depend on them. Read ON.