Helping protect wildlife in need through search, observation, documentation, and reporting.

About the Wildlife Jewels® Rescue Crew

The Wildlife Jewels® Rescue Crew is a trained, volunteer initiative that supports responsible wildlife search, observation, documentation, and reporting along Southern California’s coast.

The Rescue Crew complements Wildlife Jewels’ EYES™ (Engage Your Eyes for Sea Life) program by helping ensure wildlife concerns are accurately documented and routed through appropriate response pathways, including licensed wildlife rehabilitators, animal services, lifeguards, and other authorized wildlife response partners.

Wildlife Jewels does not provide wildlife rehabilitation services. Any direct wildlife handling, care, or treatment is performed by licensed and permitted wildlife rehabilitation organizations.

The Rescue Crew operates within defined program scopes and does not replace or supersede wildlife authorities, lifeguards, animal control, or permitted wildlife rehabilitation organizations.

The Foundation Behind the Rescue Crew

Fueled by our founder’s lifelong passion for wildlife and a deep connection to seabirds and marine life, Wildlife Jewels® is informed by 20+ years of coastal observation along California’s shoreline and firsthand experience witnessing threats to coastal wildlife—including distressed and entangled animals, as well as the impacts of oil spills, tar balls, pollution, and other human-caused threats.

This long-term commitment includes responsible observation, documentation, reporting, and helping route wildlife concerns through appropriate response pathways.

These experiences helped shape today’s Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew.

How the Program Works

The Rescue Crew is a trained volunteer network that supports wildlife observation and reporting in coordination with licensed wildlife rehabilitators and authorized responders, with an initial pilot focus in La Jolla and nearby North County coastal areas.

Participation begins with an interest application, followed by orientation and training. Invitations and role assignments depend on training completion, readiness, reliability, and program needs.

Volunteer Roles

Depending on training and role assignment, Rescue Crew volunteers may support the program through:

• Wildlife search, observation, and documentation

• Reporting wildlife concerns to authorized responders

• On-scene monitoring from a safe distance

• Relaying updates to appropriate response partners

Volunteers support observation, documentation, and reporting, and help coordinate with licensed wildlife rehabilitation partners and authorized responders.

Volunteers do not provide medical treatment, diagnosis, or rehabilitation.

Participation & Commitment Expectations

The Wildlife Jewels® Rescue Crew is a structured volunteer program. To support safety, readiness, and consistency, volunteers are expected to:

• Complete required orientation and training

• Commit to at least 6 months of active participation after onboarding

• Maintain active status through periodic updates or trainings

• Follow all Wildlife Jewels® protocols and partner guidance

Typical participation averages approximately 4 hours per month, with flexibility from month to month.

Wildlife Response Scope

Birds & Small Wildlife

Rescue Crew volunteers support observation, documentation, and reporting, and help relay information to licensed wildlife rehabilitation partners and authorized responders.

Service Areas

Orange County and San Diego County coastal sites, with an initial pilot focus in Newport Beach, Solana Beach, La Jolla, and nearby North County coastal areas.

Interested in Joining?

If you love wildlife and want to be part of a trained, coordinated team supporting wildlife observation and reporting, we’d love to hear from you—please submit an interest application below.

Every wildlife is a precious jewel—and every life matters. Help us protect them.