About Alyssa's Nature Sanctuary
About Us
Alyssa’s Nature Sanctuary (ANS) is a U.S.-based nonprofit (501(c)(3)) organization dedicated to preserving, educating about, and celebrating nature.
It is operated from a private yard (in Oceanside, California) where the team monitors wildlife — especially hummingbirds — and streams live content.
Mission & Focus
- Mission: To foster public appreciation of nature through education and conservation.
- Focus areas:
- Conservation: Protecting habitats and promoting biodiversity.
- Education: Offering guides, live-streams and galleries so people can learn about local wildlife and habitats.
- Community Engagement: They invite the public to watch live cams, join online communities (Discord), and support via donations.
What we do
Here are some of the main activities of ANS:
- They host live camera streams on YouTube (nest cams, water-fountain cams, feeder cams) so viewers can watch wildlife (especially hummingbirds) in real time.
- They document detailed life-cycles of hummingbirds (nest building, egg‐laying, hatching, fledging) in their yard.
- They provide free downloadable guides for the public: e.g., how to rescue hummingbirds, how to maintain feeders, etc.
- They operate a water fountain setup that attracts a variety of birds for drinking/bathing, hence they also document and share information about “commonly seen birds at the fountain”.
- They maintain a small “personal weather station” in their backyard, sharing real-time data (temperature, humidity, wind) relevant to nest area conditions.
Why it’s interesting / what stands out
- Niche but very focused: The organization doesn’t do large land sanctuaries or exotic species rescue; instead, it's grounded in a backyard ecosystem, with an emphasis on local wildlife and hummingbirds. That gives it a unique, more intimate feel.
- Live/interactive component: The live cams make the sanctuary accessible to people anywhere in the world. You can “play witness” to nature unfolding.
- Educational openness: By offering free guides, detailed documentation of nesting clutches, and open access to observing yard CCTV cams, they make nature accessible and demystified.
- Labor of love & volunteer-driven: They explicitly state that everything they do is made possible by volunteers and donor support, and that the cost and time commitment is significant.
How you can engage / support
- Watch the live cams: If you enjoy birds/hummingbirds or just nature in your backyard, ANS provides several live-streams.
- Download and use their guides: If you have feeders or are interested in backyard wildlife, the free guides can be helpful.
- Donate or become a member: They accept donations (PayPal/Venmo) and have a membership option. Payments go toward equipment, software, website upkeep, etc.
- Participate in the community: They have a Discord channel where enthusiasts can share photos, ask questions, etc.
Things to keep in mind / limitations
- It is not a large wildlife sanctuary with acres of land open for visitation; it is effectively operated in a backyard setting with streaming access.
- While their documentation is strong, the educational audience may be more hobbyist/nature-enthusiast rather than professional wildlife science (though the contributions are meaningful).
- As with many small nonprofit operations, funding and volunteer efforts drive what is possible; they mention that annual costs exceed their income from donations.
Why it might matter
- For people living in urban or semi-urban areas who want to connect with nature — especially birds/hummingbirds — this kind of project shows what’s possible even in a backyard.
- It helps raise awareness of how everyday spaces (yards, feeders, water features) can become meaningful habitats for wildlife.
- It serves as a model of how technology (cams, live streaming) can connect people with nature in real time, helping foster appreciation, curiosity, and perhaps conservation mindsets.
Meet the Team Behind Alyssa’s Nature Sanctuary
Ani
Catrina C
HummingbirdsOfMyBalcony
Jewelzz
John Zapf
Kristin Dewey
Nightbot
Ontario Ruby Reds
Ryssa Bee
Suzie Q
T Heck
Wasabi
Wild Nature by Elizabeth
Thank you so much for your incredible support! Everything we do here is made possible by the dedication of our volunteers and the revenue we earn from your generous contributions. This helps to offset some of our expenses, including equipment, software, internet services, website, upkeep, and more. Your continued generosity and encouragement mean the world to us. This truly is a labor of love for all of us. ❤️
Venmo @alyssasnaturesanctuary
Also check out Olives Online Store: https://alyssasnaturesanctuary.myspreadshop.com
And here is a link to things around Olive's Yard: https://amzn.to/4pTJ7ay