News and Updates
This section features stories that highlight how remarkable yet fragile the ocean is. It also speaks to the connection between humans and the ocean and our responsibility to protect it.
Stories, unless otherwise noted, are written by Pam Ferris-Olson, PhD. Pam has studied ocean creatures, worked in communication, and, as founder of Women Mind the Water, focuses on the relationship between humans and water. Her Wo(men) Mind the Water Artivist Series explores the work of artivists (artists +activists) and their impact in influencing change.
Lab-Grown Sunflower Sea Stars Offer Hope for Vanishing Marine Ecosystems
A devastating event along the west coast of North America in 2013 wiped out nearly all of the area’s sunflower sea stars, with devastating consequences for kelp forests. A consortium of public and private organizations are using aquacultural techniques to grow sea stars in laboratory settings. The expectation is these efforts will lead to the recovery of healthy kelp ecosystems and concomitant biodiversity.