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Wildlife Jewels Celebrates Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in Solana Beach
Wildlife Jewels’ ribbon-cutting ceremony at the La Colonia Community Center in Solana Beach. Left to right: Azi Sharif, Executive Director of Wildlife Jewels; Kimberly Jones, Executive Director of the Solana Beach Chamber of Commerce; and Liz Boyes, Social Ambassador at the Solana Beach Chamber of Commerce. (Photo credit: Luis Lopez).
Wildlife Jewels®, a nonprofit dedicated to wildlife conservation, marked a significant milestone at its ribbon-cutting ceremony at the La Colonia Community Center in Solana Beach, hosted by the Solana Beach Chamber of Commerce. The event underscored the organization's mission to protect wildlife from human-induced threats through a unique blend of arts and conservation.
Founder and Executive Director Azi Sharif shared the organization's vision and her lifelong passion for saving wildlife, stating, "We dream of a world where wildlife thrives untouched by human activities, roaming freely in their natural habitats. In this world, every person recognizes the magnificent beauty and value of living wildlife and takes significant action to ensure their safety and protection." Officially established in 2023, Wildlife Jewels integrates art, science, and community engagement to inspire individuals to act in preserving wildlife.
Guests watching Wildlife Jewels’ program overview presentation during the ribbon-cutting ceremony of Wildlife Jewels. (Photo credit: Ashley Hurwitz).
The event was brightened by Wildlife Jewels' artwork featuring local wildlife, some rescued animals, and wildlife ambassadors. Each piece shared unique stories of these creatures, with informative posters detailing ways the community can protect them. The artwork played a central role in sparking conversation about conservation and brought the cause to life for attendees.
What began as a collection of paintings raising awareness for endangered species has expanded into a conservation organization with impactful programs such as marine debris removal, pollinator conservation and planting, wildlife rescue programs, coastal monitoring, and educational arts initiatives. Through these efforts, Wildlife Jewels inspires and empowers the community to participate in hands-on conservation work.
During the ceremony, Azi highlighted a recent encounter of a gull entangled in fishing line, with one foot missing and the other ensnared. "This is just one example of what we do. Every single wildlife matter, every single minute counts, each and every one of us can help save a life," Azi emphasized, urging the power of individual action.
Azi Sharif, Founder & Executive Director of Wildlife Jewels, discusses the organization's rescue program and shares the story of an entangled Gull their team recently spotted, while emphasizing the importance of recognizing that every single wildlife matters and that each and every one of us can help save a life. (Photo credit: Luis Lopez).
The event was attended by community members, Chamber of Commerce representatives, and government officials, including Diana Kutlow from the Office of Senator Catherine Blakespear and Ana Mladenovic from the Office of Assemblymember Tasha Boerner, who presented Wildlife Jewels with a certificate of recognition.
Diana Kutlow Senior District Representative from the Office of Senator Catherine Blakespear congratulates Azi Sharif, the Executive Director of Wildlife Jewels during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. (Photo credit: Luis Lopez).
Through their innovative mix of art, science, fashion, storytelling, and conservation, Wildlife Jewels is spearheading a movement in wildlife protection and education. Their next event is the 2nd Annual Earth Day Sweep and Learn for Wildlife Beach Cleanup at Corona del Mar State Beach.
Wildlife Jewels’ Rubellite the Elegant Tern, originally photographed at Crystal Cove Beach by Wildlife Jewels’ Founder and artist, Azi Sharif, is gracefully poised atop her signature hand-painted Wildlife Jewels gemstone. The piece symbolizes her belief that the life of every single wildlife is far more precious than any gemstone. Background image: Elegant Terns at Solana Beach. (Photo credit: Azi Sharif / Wildlife Jewels).
You can support Wildlife Jewels by volunteering, making a donation, joining their Community Rescue Group, shopping from their Wildlife-inspired conservation arts collection, participating in their Community Sweep for Wildlife Group, or supporting their conservation initiatives. Learn more about Wildlife Jewels and ways you can help at www.wildlifejewels.org.
Here's something you might be interested in.
Wildlife Jewels Celebrates Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in Solana Beach
Wildlife Jewels Celebrates Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in Solana Beach
Wildlife Jewels’ ribbon-cutting ceremony at the La Colonia Community Center in Solana Beach. Left to right: Azi Sharif, Executive Director of Wildlife Jewels; Kimberly Jones, Executive Director of the Solana Beach Chamber of Commerce; and Liz Boyes, Social Ambassador at the Solana Beach Chamber of Commerce. (Photo credit: Luis Lopez).
Wildlife Jewels®, a nonprofit dedicated to wildlife conservation, marked a significant milestone at its ribbon-cutting ceremony at the La Colonia Community Center in Solana Beach, hosted by the Solana Beach Chamber of Commerce. The event underscored the organization's mission to protect wildlife from human-induced threats through a unique blend of arts and conservation.
Founder and Executive Director Azi Sharif shared the organization's vision and her lifelong passion for saving wildlife, stating, "We dream of a world where wildlife thrives untouched by human activities, roaming freely in their natural habitats. In this world, every person recognizes the magnificent beauty and value of living wildlife and takes significant action to ensure their safety and protection." Officially established in 2023, Wildlife Jewels integrates art, science, and community engagement to inspire individuals to act in preserving wildlife.
Guests watching Wildlife Jewels’ program overview presentation during the ribbon-cutting ceremony of Wildlife Jewels. (Photo credit: Ashley Hurwitz).
The event was brightened by Wildlife Jewels' artwork featuring local wildlife, some rescued animals, and wildlife ambassadors. Each piece shared unique stories of these creatures, with informative posters detailing ways the community can protect them. The artwork played a central role in sparking conversation about conservation and brought the cause to life for attendees.
What began as a collection of paintings raising awareness for endangered species has expanded into a conservation organization with impactful programs such as marine debris removal, pollinator conservation and planting, wildlife rescue programs, coastal monitoring, and educational arts initiatives. Through these efforts, Wildlife Jewels inspires and empowers the community to participate in hands-on conservation work.
During the ceremony, Azi highlighted a recent encounter of a gull entangled in fishing line, with one foot missing and the other ensnared. "This is just one example of what we do. Every single wildlife matter, every single minute counts, each and every one of us can help save a life," Azi emphasized, urging the power of individual action.
Azi Sharif, Founder & Executive Director of Wildlife Jewels, discusses the organization's rescue program and shares the story of an entangled Gull their team recently spotted, while emphasizing the importance of recognizing that every single wildlife matters and that each and every one of us can help save a life. (Photo credit: Luis Lopez).
The event was attended by community members, Chamber of Commerce representatives, and government officials, including Diana Kutlow from the Office of Senator Catherine Blakespear and Ana Mladenovic from the Office of Assemblymember Tasha Boerner, who presented Wildlife Jewels with a certificate of recognition.
Diana Kutlow Senior District Representative from the Office of Senator Catherine Blakespear congratulates Azi Sharif, the Executive Director of Wildlife Jewels during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. (Photo credit: Luis Lopez).
Through their innovative mix of art, science, fashion, storytelling, and conservation, Wildlife Jewels is spearheading a movement in wildlife protection and education. Their next event is the 2nd Annual Earth Day Sweep and Learn for Wildlife Beach Cleanup at Corona del Mar State Beach.
Wildlife Jewels’ Rubellite the Elegant Tern, originally photographed at Crystal Cove Beach by Wildlife Jewels’ Founder and artist, Azi Sharif, is gracefully poised atop her signature hand-painted Wildlife Jewels gemstone. The piece symbolizes her belief that the life of every single wildlife is far more precious than any gemstone. Background image: Elegant Terns at Solana Beach. (Photo credit: Azi Sharif / Wildlife Jewels).
You can support Wildlife Jewels by volunteering, making a donation, joining their Community Rescue Group, shopping from their Wildlife-inspired conservation arts collection, participating in their Community Sweep for Wildlife Group, or supporting their conservation initiatives. Learn more about Wildlife Jewels and ways you can help at www.wildlifejewels.org.
Members of the editorial staff of San Diego Reader were not involved in the creation of this content.