Over the last decade, a wasting disease nearly wiped out sea stars along the West Coast, from Alaska to California — over 90% gone, and up to 99% in some areas. The vibrant creatures that once dotted tide pools collapsed into piles of lifeless mush. This was a big deal. One species hit especially hard was the ochre sea star, a keystone species — in fact, they’re the species that first inspired the concept itself. In the 1960s, ecologist Robert Paine showed that removing sea stars allowed mussels and barnacles to take over, crowding out everything else. By keeping those populations in check, sea stars make room for the dazzling biodiversity tide pools are known for. Now, surveys show ochre sea stars making a comeback! Juveniles are returning in record numbers, and some even appear to be developing resistance to the disease. Experts are cautiously optimistic, but it’s an excellent example of how resilient nature can be — and a reminder to never lose hope, even if the odds are stacked...