Wildlife Jewels: Plant for Hummingbirds — Volunteers Plant Native Habitat at Sunset Ridge Park
Wildlife Jewels hosted its Plant for Hummingbirds celebration in honor of National Hummingbird Day. Together with families and neighbors, volunteers installed 132 native pollinator plants, improving habitat for hummingbirds, monarch butterflies, and other pollinators.
Group of volunteers ready to plant at Sunset Ridge Park during Wildlife Jewels’ Plant for Hummingbirds event. Saturday September 6, 2025
Wildlife Jewels: Plant for Hummingbirds — Volunteers Plant Native Habitat at Sunset Ridge Park
September 6 · Sunset Ridge Park, Newport Beach
Wildlife Jewels—a Newport Beach–based 501(c)(3)—hosted its Plant for Hummingbirds celebration in honor of National Hummingbird Day. Together with families and neighbors, volunteers installed 132 native pollinator plants, improving habitat for hummingbirds, monarch butterflies, and other pollinators.
Event Overview
On Saturday, September 6, Wildlife Jewels—a Newport Beach–based 501(c)(3) nonprofit—hosted its National Hummingbird Day “Plant for Hummingbirds” event at Sunset Ridge Park. Volunteers installed 132 native pollinator plants, improving habitat for hummingbirds, monarch butterflies, and other pollinators. The program showcased educational works of art and posters from Wildlife Jewels’ Arts of Wildlife Collection spotlighting stories of locally rescued pollinators and sharing information about hummingbirds, monarchs, native plants, and simple, science-informed actions residents can take. Remarks were provided by Executive Director Azi Sharif (Wildlife Jewels) and guest speaker Newt Likier (Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center). Greg Haynes, Public Works Supervisor (City of Newport Beach), introduced the Butterfly Garden, plant palette, and planting directions. With plant support from the City of Newport Beach (120 plants) and in-kind contributions from Roger’s Gardens and Sprinkles, the community came together to beautify the park and support hummingbirds, monarchs, and other pollinators.
Event Highlights
Works from the Wildlife Jewels Arts of Wildlife Collection spotlighted rescue stories of local hummingbirds and a monarch butterfly.
Educational posters featured pollinator-inspired innovations and simple, science-informed actions residents can use at home.
Founder & Executive Director Azi Sharif shared practical ways the community can support hummingbirds.
Guest speaker Newt Likier (Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center) offered guidance on wildlife-safe yards and responsible feeder care.
Greg Haynes, Public Works Supervisor (City of Newport Beach), introduced the Sunset Ridge Park Butterfly Garden, the day’s plant palette, and planting directions.
A memorable moment: a monarch butterfly landed on a freshly planted flower—a real-time reminder of community conservation at work.
Acknowledgments
This event was made possible with support from the City of Newport Beach (including 120 native plants) and in-kind contributions from Roger’s Gardens and Sprinkles. Huge thanks to every volunteer who helped make the park more vibrant and pollinator-friendly.
Get Involved
Join our next event → Learn More
Volunteer with Wildlife Jewels → Learn More
Explore our Plant for Wildlife program and get involved → Learn More
Join Wildlife Jewels’ EYES Collective or Rescue Crew to help us search for, monitor and rescue distressed coastal wildlife → Learn More
Join our Sweep for Wildlife group and help us remove marine debris from our coastline while learning about local wildlife → Learn More
Discover our Plant for Hummingbirds initiative HERE
Wildlife Jewels’ “Pink Opal the Hummingbird Gem” Fine Art educational display at Sunset Ridge Park.
This adorable hummingbird was rescued and cared for by the Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center. We’re creating an art collection in her honor to help educate our community about protecting hummingbirds and their nests. Her collection will debut soon as part of the Wildlife Jewels Collections.
Image credit: by Azi S./ © Wildlife Jewels /A memorable moment: a monarch butterfly landed on a freshly planted flower—a real-time reminder of community conservation at work.
Wonderful native plants for Hummingbirds & Butterflies at Sunset Ridge Park. Provided by the City of Newport Beach ( 120 native plants)
Cupcakes donated in-kind by Sprinkles for Hummingbird Day at Sunset Ridge Park.
Native plants donated in-kind by Roger’s Gardens for Hummingbird Day at Sunset Ridge Park..
Photos from our Plant for Hummingbirds & Butterflies Event at Sunset Ridge Park, September 6, 2025
Inspiring Day! We planted flowers for hummingbirds & butterflies, learned about the native plants they love, explored fascinating facts about hummingbirds & butterflies, innovations inspired by them, the major threats they face, and how to protect them. We also had the chance to witness a precious monarch butterfly feeding on a freshly planted flower, and admired hummingbird & butterfly-inspired fine art, while enjoying delicious cupcakes!
Lovely Plants by City of Newport Beach and Roger’s Gardens
Cupcakes by Sprinkles Cupcakes
Fine Art by Wildlife Jewels Arts “Peridot the Hummingbird Gem and Pink Opal the Baby Hummingbird” Canvas mixed media showcased + Wildlife Jewels Collections “Peridot the Hummingbird” ceramic ornament & Mandarin Garnet the Monarch Butterfly Art
Discover Wildlife Jewels’ Pollinator Jewels Educational Resource!
Discover the incredible pollinators of Southern California! We’re excited to share the beauty and fascinating behaviors of our local pollinators, highlight the importance of native plants, and inspire action to protect them.
Join us in exploring, learning, and taking action to protect our precious Pollinators!
Learn about the magic of pollinators!
Meet Wildlife Jewels Peridot the Hummingbird: Discover her story and her fine arts collection.
Highlights from December 2024 Plant for Hummingbirds and Butterflies at Castaways Park!
📷 📹 © Wildlife Jewels Plant for Hummingbirds & Butterflies at Castaways Park
