Solana Beach Launches Wildlife Rescue Crew for Seabirds

Injured seabirds hiding along California's beaches now have a better chance of survival, thanks to volunteers learning exactly what distress looks like.

Wildlife Jewels celebrated the official launch of its Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew on June 9 in Solana Beach. The program trains everyday community members to recognize signs of injury in coastal wildlife and connect animals with professional care.

"Our mission is to bridge the gap of wildlife being injured and not being found," said Azi Sharif, founder and executive director of Wildlife Jewels. The difference is simple but powerful: instead of waiting for someone to stumble upon a struggling bird, trained volunteers actively search beaches knowing exactly what to look for.

The rescue crew has already made an impact. In March 2026, volunteers rescued two distressed cormorants and a California Brown Pelican from Solana Beach shores.

Sharif, a Solana Beach resident with a background in art, computer science, and wildlife, started Wildlife Jewels three years ago. Her unique approach combines education through art with hands-on conservation work.

The June ribbon cutting featured educational art displays telling the stories of local wildlife the organization has helped save. Each piece serves a dual purpose: raising awareness about threats facing coastal birds while celebrating successful rescues.

The Ripple Effect

The program extends beyond emergency rescues. Wildlife Jewels volunteers conduct regular beach cleanups at Fletcher Cove and Corona del Mar State Beach, removing fishing lines, plastic, and other hazards that endanger marine life.

By training more volunteers, the organization multiplies its impact exponentially. Each trained community member becomes another set of eyes watching over the coast's most vulnerable creatures.

Sharif's goal is ambitious but achievable: grow the volunteer base large enough to monitor vast stretches of California coastline. More volunteers mean more wildlife found in time, more successful rescues, and more birds returned to the skies where they belong.

California's coastal wildlife finally has a dedicated search and rescue team.