Wildlife Jewels® Ocean: Celebrating MPA Day at Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area
Yesterday we honored the global importance and beauty of Marine Protected Areas—vital ocean sanctuaries where wildlife can rest, feed, and flourish with fewer disturbances. At Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA), we enjoyed seeing magnificent Willets and Black Turnstones relaxing and bathing at the water’s edge.
Willet at Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA), August 1, 2025
© Wildlife Jewels® | Photo by Azi S.
Celebrating MPA Day!
Yesterday we honored the global importance and beauty of Marine Protected Areas—vital ocean sanctuaries where wildlife can rest, feed, and flourish with fewer disturbances.
At Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA), we enjoyed seeing magnificent Willets and Black Turnstones relaxing and bathing at the water’s edge. Moments like these remind us just how valuable protected marine areas are for countless shorebirds, marine mammals, and coastal species whose survival depends on these special places.
Let's continue protecting these incredible habitats and the precious wildlife that depend on them.
Video: Willets & Black Turnstones at Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) © 2025 Wildlife Jewels®/ by Azi S.
Discover the Wildlife Jewels® EYES Program — Help us monitor, rescue, and collect vital data on our Ocean Jewels along the California coast! 🌊🐚
💙 “At Wildlife Jewels®, we believe every wildlife is precious, and we are endlessly fascinated by the magic of ocean life—from the tiny Antarctic krill to the inspiring Western Gull and the extraordinary Horn Shark. Many of the world’s most transformative innovations are inspired by ocean life, and they deserve our care and protection. Join us in our mission to protect them!” ~ Azi Sharif PhD, Founder & Executive Director at Wildlife Jewels®
Happy World Oceans Day!
Our precious marine life faces a devastating crisis, from chemical pollution and petrochemicals to algal blooms, fishing gear entanglement, plastic pollution, overfishing, ship strikes, and so much more. On this World Ocean Day, Wildlife Jewels® is honored to share some of our recently launched and emerging ocean programs dedicated to protecting our majestic ocean life.
In this video, check out some of the precious wildlife we recently spotted at La Jolla Cove in just one hour. Their lives depend on the well-being of our ocean!
Join us in our mission to protect these magnificent creatures.
Cormorant's, Sea Lions, Elegant Terns, Royal Terns, California Brown Pelicans, Western Gulls, Heermann's Gulls and more amazing wildlife we recently spotted at La Jolla Cove.
Stunning Cormorant with her chicks sitting on the signature Wildlife Jewels® gemstone, Sea Lions, Pelicans, Cormorant’s & Gulls at La Jolla Cove
