The Surfrider Foundation is an acclaimed environmental institution with a mission to safeguard the world’s ocean, waves and beaches. They do this through an influential activist network and serve as an indispensable partner in combatting local coastal threats.
Water quality at our nation’s beaches is being threatened by pollution. Surfrider is dedicated to ensuring the Biden administration and Congress uphold the Clean Water Act by providing adequate funding and enforcement of water quality regulations and programs.
Protecting Our Oceans and Beaches
The Surfrider Foundation advocates for the creation of marine protected areas (MPAs). MPAs are essential parts of coastal and ocean environments, cultural sites and recreational resources. By declaring an MPA protected status, these waters can be shielded from oil drilling operations, large commercial vessel traffic with spills, dredging/dumping operations, pollution impacts, habitat loss impacts and coastal development impacts.
Surfrider has contributed to the establishment of a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) throughout America, from Oregon to California, Hawaii, Florida and Puerto Rico. These areas are designed to balance ecosystem protection with recreational use while improving coastal recreation opportunities and protecting water quality.
Plastic pollution is becoming an increasingly serious threat to our oceans and beaches. Not only does it disrupt marine life’s normal physiology, but it can also result in the death of fish, crabs and other sea creatures.
Plastic pollution is increasingly finding its way into the oceans in the form of microbeads and fragments. Not only that, but this pollution may be contributing to greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.
While marine protected areas (MPAs) can be an effective tool in combatting ocean trash, it’s critical that MPAs be used responsibly and with care to protect and restore coastal environments and marine life. To do this, education and engagement with the public about MPA design, establishment of local partnerships to implement policies, and evaluation of their success must continue to take place.
In addition to supporting marine protected areas, Surfrider Foundation is proud to be part of the Break Free From Plastic Pollution movement and strives to reduce single-use plastic pollution in our oceans. This includes encouraging companies to commit to reducing their use of single-use plastics and advocating for less harmful alternatives like glass or aluminum bottles.
Surfrider’s Approach to Promoting Clean Beaches
Surfrider Foundation is leading the charge to protect water quality and healthy beaches against the current federal administration’s threats. We’re asking Congress for continued support of beach water testing programs as well as deregulation measures to stop this deregulation agenda from taking hold.
Surfrider chapters and activists are working with their communities to raise awareness about local water pollution problems and advocate for solutions that protect their waters. Initiatives such as the Blue Water Task Force (BWTF), Ocean Friendly Gardens (OFG) and campaigns against projects causing pollution are just some of the initiatives underway.
Surfrider also advocates for laws to reduce plastic pollution at its source, such as the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act introduced to Congress on February 11, and legislation encouraging individuals, industries and governments to move away from single-use plastics in order to preserve our oceans and beaches.
Surfrider chapters across the country are working diligently to address regional water quality issues such as toxic algae blooms, border sewage spills, cess pools and stormwater runoff. These efforts are documented in Surfrider’s 2018 Clean Water Report and demonstrate the power of a strong network.
Surfrider in Ventura, CA, for instance, has been advocating for low impact development that will reduce pollution entering their urban Sanjon watershed. This includes greywater reuse and wastewater recycling as well as installing Ocean Friendly Gardens (OFGs).
Surfrider’s Coastal Impact and Influence
Surfrider’s coastal defenders are fighting to safeguard beaches, shorelines and coastlines from erosion and sea level rise. To date, they have achieved 15 victories including Oregon’s ocean climate bill passage, Hawaii real estate disclosure law passage as well as passage of the Ocean Climate Solutions Act which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions while helping coastal communities adapt to climate change impacts.
Surfrider is committed to safeguarding our coastlines and ocean, while advocating for clean water policies that benefit ocean health. This includes supporting the implementation of the Clean Water Act through our community science testing program and taking legal measures when violations occur.
Surfrider’s coastal defenders have made a lasting impact across the US by fighting against various environmental hazards like offshore oil drilling and seismic airgun blasting. Furthermore, they’ve worked to pass laws that prevent harmful coastal development and safeguard land from developers.
The organization’s State of the Beach Report grades states on their coastal preservation and sea level rise policies. Those with higher scores have more stringent rules regarding development in hazardous coastal zones, prohibitions against armoring or rebuilding in these hazards areas, and support for including sea level rise projections into planning documents.
Surfrider Foundation’s Santa Barbara Chapter has been actively fighting development along the Gaviota Coast to protect existing land from coastal hazards. They have successfully saved numerous conservation properties along the coastline and were instrumental in safeguarding Trestles and Pe’ahi – two of California’s most beloved surf breaks – from coastal erosion.
Surfrider Foundation, in addition to their environmental work, hosts beach cleanups and events across the US that draw thousands of volunteers annually. In 2018, Surfrider Foundation joined REEF in launching the Better Beach Alliance with a mission of amplifying this important effort by increasing trash removal rates, volunteers engaged, and cleanups hosted annually.
The Benefits of Volunteering with Surfrider Foundation
Volunteering for Surfrider Foundation can bring many rewards to both volunteers and their communities. This national nonprofit organization is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to protecting oceans, waves and beaches through an active activist network. Its activists range from surfers, swimmers, divers, bodyboarders, kayakers and coastal recreationists – just to name a few!
Since its founding, Surfrider Foundation has achieved numerous significant victories by persuading state, federal and local decision makers to protect coastal resources. It continues to expand its stewardship efforts through water quality testing, community partnerships and beach clean-ups.
Current programs of the organization focus on coastal water quality, plastic pollution prevention, beach access and climate change. Their four campaigns – Special Places, Blue Water Task Force, Beach Preservation and Beach Access – strive to create a clean and healthy coastal environment that is safe for all users.
The Foundation is seeking a Central and Northern California Regional Manager to help build the organizational capacity of chapters from San Luis Obispo County northward to Del Norte County, leading to an increase in membership and volunteers. Working alongside other staff serving California-based chapters, this Regional Manager will grow the organization’s supporter base, create environmental campaigns and programs, as well as recruit and retain new volunteers.
Volunteering with Surfrider Foundation offers many opportunities. You can represent them during sporting events, provide environmental education to students and teachers, or organize local events like Ocean Initiatives. If you possess specific skillsets, consider supporting our European headquarters in Biarritz or one of our supporting offices worldwide by contributing your expertise.
Partnering with Surfrider Foundation for a Cleaner Future
Are you searching for an exciting way to make a real impact on the environment? Consider joining Surfrider Foundation. This 501(c)(3) grassroots environmental organization works to protect and preserve Earth’s oceans, waves and beaches by engaging in conservation, activism, research and education.
Surfrider Foundation’s sixty local Chapters and Clubs work to unite people from all backgrounds in the fight for cleaner water and healthier beaches. Through community outreach activities and educational initiatives, they engage individuals in beach cleanups as well as advocacy campaigns that create lasting protections from plastic pollution.
One of their major campaigns is the Blue Water Campaign, which strives to protect water quality in coastal and near-shore marine environments. Other campaigns include Beach Preservation which seeks to safeguard beach and surf spots; and Beach Access which encourages public access to beaches.
REN Clean Skincare is proud to support the Surfrider Foundation in their mission of creating a cleaner future by keeping beaches clean. This collaboration forms part of their overall commitment to reduce their carbon footprint by becoming a Zero Waste company by 2021.
On National Volunteer Week (April 12-18), REN Clean Skincare wants to recognize all of the dedicated individuals across America who are striving to make a difference in our environment. From young children to college students, these dedicated individuals are making an enormous difference on this planet.
In Conclusion
The Surfrider Foundation is an organization that is dedicated to preserving and protecting our oceans, waves, and beaches. Through their campaigns and initiatives, they work to safeguard our coasts and waterways from pollution and environmental hazards, and to promote sustainable practices that will ensure a cleaner future for us all.
By supporting Surfrider’s mission, we can all help to create a cleaner and healthier environment. Whether through volunteering, donating, or simply being mindful of our impact on the planet, we can make a difference and work towards a future where our oceans and beaches are clean and thriving for generations to come.
If you want to get involved, visit the Surfrider website. There, you can choose to volunteer or donate online and they’ll connect you with a local chapter near you.