Life and Death on the California Coast: a resurrection story (with starfish. And PhD's!)
Join us for Life and Death on the California Coast: The Sea Star Story and (on the same night) a world premiere screening of the short film, Shoot for the Stars!
Discussion of climate change and impacts on the marine environment often miss a critical part of the story: the actions being taken to protect this incredibly intricate ecosystem. Guests at this roundtable provide a first-hand view of what's happening under the surface of California's coastal waters, and the intervention that is underway, aided by hundreds of humans drawn together by kelp, starfish, necessity, and imagination.
Join us for perspective on the collapse of California’s kelp forest, a resulting explosion in the sea urchin population, and (simultaneously) a die-off of sea stars, aka starfish. There are many ramifications of this crisis, and also ways to reverse or ease it. Our panelists:
Reuven Bank, Exec. Director, Sunflower Star Laboratory; Virj Kan, CEO, Primitives Biodesign; Dan Abbott, Reef Check Foundation; Kim Selkoe Exec. Director, Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara
Shoot For the Stars: This 20-minute film follows the rise of community based nonprofit Sunflower Star Laboratory, working to restore the sunflower star and to save our vanishing kelp forests. Filmmaker: Adam Ernster. A trailer for the film is here: LINK