The Vermilion Sea Institute (VSI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working in Baja, Mexico to foster sustainable and enriching relationships between human societies and the ecosystems that support them. Through an exciting citizen science focused program called Stars to the Sea, VSI seeks to train volunteer field researchers this August and September to capture photographs of whale sharks visiting Bahia de los Angeles (where VSI's field station is located), apply spot pattern recognition software to identify new or revisiting individuals, and help share the project findings with the local community and beyond.