First Temporary Experimental Outplanting of Sunflower Stars in California Marks Major Milestone in Ocean Recovery
Sunflower Star Laboratory, The Nature Conservancy, California Academy of Sciences, Reef Check Foundation, Monterey Bay Aquarium, The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Stanford University partner to advance sunflower star restoration research.
MONTEREY, Calif., (December 11th, 2025) – 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 conservation nonprofit Sunflower Star Laboratory, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, California Academy of Sciences, Reef Check Foundation, Monterey Bay Aquarium, The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Stanford University, 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 marks a critical step toward addressing the decline of sunflower stars and restoring balance to California’s coastal ecosystems, offering hope for the recovery of kelp forests and the countless species that depend on them.
“The collaboration underpinning this project demonstrates the overwhelming support and capacity for applied sunflower star restoration research in California,” said Ashley Kidd, Sunflower Star Laboratory’s Conservation Project Manager and the study lead. “The success of this project is informing the next phase of our restoration efforts of this keystone species in California.”
Vince Christian and Andrew Kim of Sunflower Star Laboratory place a juvenile sunflower star into a pod in Monterey during the eDNA component of the 2025 research study, Copyright Sage Ono.
Sunflower stars play a key role in maintaining healthy kelp forest ecosystems by preying on and influencing the behavior of urchins, which would otherwise overgraze and devastate kelp habitats. Since the outbreak of Sea Star Wasting Disease (SSWD) – one of the largest marine disease events on record – in 2013-2014, sunflower star populations have collapsed, leaving California’s kelp forests vulnerable, out of ecological balance, and degraded.
In part one of this research project, 12 juvenile sunflower stars were placed in an enclosed pod near Old Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey for five days while water samples were collected to test the effectiveness of environmental DNA (eDNA) – a cutting-edge tool that detects genetic material shed by marine organisms that can be otherwise difficult to track or detect. Stanford University scientists coordinated eDNA sample procurement and will lead sample processing in the coming months. The eDNA study will shed light on the sensitivity and efficacy of an eDNA monitoring tool collaboratively developed by the NOAA PMEL lab, Sunflower Star Laboratory, and UC Merced, could revolutionize how scientists monitor elusive or endangered species in the wild.
Juvenile sunflower stars in a bag being transferred to ocean pods during the 2025 research study, Copyright Ralph Pace
In part two of this research project, forty-eight juvenile stars reared at Sunflower Star Laboratory and California Academy of Sciences were outplanted in the ocean in pods and monitored over four weeks, receiving regular feedings and health checks. In the one-month study, 47 out of 48 (98%) juvenile stars survived the exposure to ocean conditions—an encouraging sign for future restoration efforts in California.
This research project will inform and elevate the impact of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE) sunflower sea star program, as well as the Pacific Coast Ocean Restoration (PCOR) Initiative, a comprehensive, collaborative statewide strategy to restore and recover degraded marine species and ecosystems, and advances the work of the Pycnopodia Recovery Working Group (PRWG). The experiment further builds on prior trials in Washington by Dr. Jason Hodin’s team at Friday Harbor Labs and other research efforts throughout the Pacific Northwest.
“The success of this research project is a testament to the collaborative efforts of so many people working together over many years,” said Norah Eddy, Associate Director with The Nature Conservancy in California. “It’s incredible to see years of work culminating in such a successful project, and we’re excited to apply our learnings to our PCOR efforts more broadly. We’re grateful for this opportunity to work alongside our partners on restoring and recovering our marine ecosystem.”
The juveniles utilized in this study were spawned at Birch Aquarium at Scripps in 2024 and the work was conducted under permits from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, with approvals from the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and City of Monterey.
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Media Contacts:
Sunflower Star Laboratory |Reuven Bank, reuven@sunflowerstarlab.org
The Nature Conservancy | Samantha Hartmann, samantha.hartmann@tnc.org
California Academy of Sciences | Megan Ely, mely@calacademy.org
Reef Check Foundation | Dan Abbott, dabbott@reefcheck.org
Monterey Bay Aquarium | Emerson Brown, ebrown@mbayaq.org
Stanford University | Jill Wu, jillwu@stanford.edu
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About Sunflower Star Laboratory
Sunflower Star Laboratory is a community-based nonprofit that leads research and conservation to recover the sunflower star, building kelp forest resilience with our communities. Our organization is actively growing the critically-endangered sunflower star and other species in our conservation aquaculture facility in Moss Landing, CA, while conducting groundbreaking research and coordinating greater sunflower star recovery efforts across North America. Sunflower star recovery is an integral part of restoring California’s vanishing kelp forests, and Sunflower Star Laboratory’s experienced, interdisciplinary team leads groundbreaking work to make this imperative a reality. Head to www.sunflowerstarlab.org and @sunflowerstarlab for more information.
About The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more resilient. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 83 countries and territories (39 by direct conservation impact and 44 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit nature.org or follow @nature_press on X.
About the California Academy of Sciences
The California Academy of Sciences is a renowned scientific and educational institution with a mission to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. Based in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, it is home to a world-class aquarium, planetarium, and natural history museum, as well as innovative programs in scientific research and environmental education—all under one living roof. Museum hours are 9:30 am – 5:00 pm Monday – Saturday, and 11:00 am – 5:00 pm on Sunday. Admission includes all exhibits, programs, and shows. For daily ticket prices, please visit www.calacademy.org or call (415) 379-8000 for more information.
About Monterey Bay Aquarium
With a mission to inspire conservation of the ocean, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is the most admired aquarium in the United States, a leader in science education, and a voice for ocean conservation through comprehensive programs in marine science and public policy. Everything we do works in concert to protect the future of our blue planet. More information at MontereyBayAquarium.org.
About Reef Check
Reef Check is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation and sustainable management and conservation of coral reefs and kelp forests. Reef Check trains volunteer divers to collect high-quality data on the health of coral reefs and kelp forests, providing resource managers, policymakers, and local communities with the science they need to make informed management and conservation decisions. For three decades, Reef Check has built powerful networks of ocean stewards, advanced marine conservation through rigorous, community-powered scientific monitoring, and inspired people around the world to protect the coastal ecosystems that sustain biodiversity, cultural heritage, and livelihoods. Learn more at reefcheck.org.
