Billions of sea stars have died. A Northwest tribe is trying to save the species

Millions of sunflower sea stars have been dying due to a mysterious illness, threatening their already vulnerable population in the Pacific Ocean. The Samish Indian Nation is teaming up with University of Washington researchers to try and save the species through conservation efforts. This collaboration is significant as it not only aims to restore the sea star population but also honors traditional tribal practices and knowledge. The initiative highlights the importance of involving indigenous communities in conservation, reflecting a broader trend of integrating traditional ecological knowledge into modern environmental protection strategies.