Wildlife Jewels® EYES® La Jolla Nesting Seabirds
See. Learn. Protect.
A Wildlife Jewels® Program
Wildlife Jewels EYES La Jolla Nesting Seabirds is a coastal wildlife stewardship and community science initiative focused on supporting vulnerable nesting seabirds along the La Jolla shoreline through respectful observation, documentation, public awareness, and shoreline stewardship during nesting season.
As visitation increases during nesting season, some seabirds nest in high foot-traffic areas where eggs, chicks, and nesting adults may face accidental disturbance. EYES® volunteers help support coexistence between wildlife and the public through observation, education, and reporting.
Volunteer Responsibilities:
• Observe wildlife from a respectful distance
• Help encourage respectful wildlife viewing
• Remind visitors to watch their step and give wildlife space
• Document shoreline and wildlife observations
• Report concerns or disturbances to Wildlife Jewels®
Important:
This is an observation and stewardship role only. Volunteers do not approach, touch, feed, handle, move, or attempt to rescue wildlife, nests, eggs, or chicks.
Volunteer Commitment:
Volunteers are asked to aim for approximately 8 hours per month for at least 3 months during nesting season.
Apply to Volunteer
Please complete the volunteer application form below. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Selected applicants will receive required EYES® volunteer orientation/training, seasonal guidelines, and access to volunteer monitoring opportunities.
Discover our Wildlife Rescue Crew Program
Featured on Lajolla.ca
Thank you to lajolla.ca for helping raise awareness about nesting Western Gulls at Children’s Pool as the beach reopens.
⭐ Our Story — The Origin of EYES®
“The purpose of the EYES program is to actively search for wildlife along the coast that need help and also gather data on the threats they’re facing — including fishing gear entanglements. Even for animals in areas where rescue isn’t possible, their story needs to be known and shared.”
— Azi Sharif, Spectrum News Interview
Moved by the severity of the crisis, and recognizing gaps in public awareness and early reporting, Wildlife Jewels launched EYES® — Engage Your Eyes for Sea Life in January 2025.
EYES® empowers community members, trained volunteers, and Wildlife Jewels® staff to:
Observe coastal wildlife safely and respectfully
Identify distressed animals and hazards early
Document threats such as fishing gear, toxins, charcoal, and harmful human interactions
Report emergencies to authorized rescue organizations
Share the stories of wildlife needing protection
Promote stewardship through education and community walks
The program plays a vital role in areas like La Jolla, where Wildlife Jewels® actively monitors sensitive species such as Western Gulls, protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. When their nests became vulnerable after beach access reopened, EYES™ volunteers helped watch over them from a distance, educating the public on safe and respectful viewing.
Today, EYES® operates across San Diego, Orange County, and expanding to Los Angeles, helping communities “see” wildlife with greater awareness, compassion, and responsibility. Through observation, reporting, data collection, and stewardship, EYES™ strengthens the connection between people and the wildlife who share our coastline.
Would you like to make a donation?
Wildlife Jewels is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and operates on donations. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Would you be interested in making a tax-deductible contribution to express your support for our mission to protect wildlife from human-caused threats?