Local residents got up in the dark, during a very low tide, to assist researchers doing a long-term intertidal study. This study at selected spots along the coast gives a baseline about species and their health (sea stars, barnacles, mussels, sea palm, etc); the data has been useful when oil spills have caused disastrous changes at any sites of the CA coast.

One of these Citizen Science voluntees writes: "It was a privilege to work with Christy and Maya, and learn techniques and procedures which will make us seasoned apprentices next time.
It was fun and also inspirational, to see the massive amount of work our local marine scientists are doing to help everyone, including decision makers, understand the coastal ecosystem!"