Stoked to protect Washington's ocean, waves, and beaches, for all people!
#CoastalVictorySummer
Aaaaaand suddenly it's July! After a hectic spring of scrambling to wrap up the legislative session, then immediately pivoting to federal Coastal Recreation Hill Days, it's been a wild six months! All the while, chapters continue to drive the mission forward, hosting cleanups and movie nights, planning fundraisers and testing water samples, and getting ready for a fun-filled summer. Check out the latest and greatest below - news from the field, legislative wrap-ups, activist spotlights, and more!
~ Liz Schotman, Washington Regional Manager
Pete Steelquist, Washington Policy Manager
July 5th Cleanup Draws Nigh!
It's that time of year again - when folks flock to the coast to launch fireworks and celebrate America's birthday. The unfortunate side effect of all that celebration is that many revelers leave literal tons of trash behind. While I love a good party as much as the next person, it's not patriotic to trash the beach. The good news is that thousands of people turn out on July 5th to pick up on the morning after the mess. Chapters across the country are primed and ready to mitigate the mayhem and leave their beaches better than they found them. Check out your local chapter's cleanup, or head to Washington Coastsavers' website to find a coastal cleanup near you!
April 27 marked the end of the 105-day state legislative session. Amidst the hundreds of bills introduced and considered, Surfrider Washington is incredibly proud to have achieved THREE coastal victories! Our volunteers, partners, and grassroots network worked tirelessly to elevate bills that focused on coast & climate, clean water, and plastic pollution. We are stoked to announce victories in all three of these initiatives, including passing a systems-changing plastics bill that will overhaul how we recycle in Washington. This bill in particular is a huge win for our coasts and a testament to the power of grassroots organizing and working collaboratively. Shout out to everyone who made this victory possible!
Each spring, activists from across the country unite in a powerful show of civic engagement during Surfrider's Coastal Recreation Hill Days. This year’s virtual fly-in broke records: in just two days, 175+ participants from 88 chapters and student clubs hosted 140+ congressional meetings to champion ocean-friendly policies.
Hill Days initiative is more than advocacy—it’s a movement. By raising coastal voices and fostering real relationships with federal lawmakers, we’re helping shape a future of clean water and healthy beaches for all beings.
Earlier this May, Surfrider Foundation joined a vibrant community of birders, conservationists, and coastal stewards at the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival in Homer, Alaska — a world-renowned spring-time stopover for thousands of migrating shorebirds. This annual event, co-sponsored by Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges and the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, brings in hundreds of people from across the country and beyond to celebrate the arrival of dozens of species of migratory shorebirds. We were invited to present about the deep connections between healthy shorelines and healthy bird populations through a series of interactive and educational events that brought our mission-driven work to new audiences.
The timing of Hill Days this year coincided with the Kachemak Shorebird Festival, so our Kenai Peninsula crew was pretty busy. Luckily, our amazing chapter leaders were able to rally for an Alaskan Hill Days the following week. Our dream team met with the offices of Senator Murkowski and Senator Sullivan to discuss the need to support clean water, coastal resilience, and the federal agencies that are critical to both. Current federal staffing and budget cuts are having a disproportionate impact on Alaska, where fishing and tourism are vital parts of the culture and economy. We had some great discussions with both offices about the need to fund EPA programs like the BEACH Act, NOAA programs such as the National Estuary Research Reserves like the one in Kachemak Bay, and the NOAA weather and buoy services in a place where many folks commute by boat and plane.
Joe McGee has been a leader with the Olympia Chapter since 2022. While his role in the Executive Committee is Blue Water Task Force Coordinator, he does a lot more than that! Joe has been a powerhouse of advocacy, participating in our Say No to 2117 campaign, our recent Environmental Lobby Days, and our Coastal Recreation Hill Days. He is always willing to help table at events, organize butt pickups and beach cleanups, and is currently leading an effort for the chapter to adopt storm drains downtown. When he's not improving local water quality or advocating for the ocean, he can be found teaching people about composting in his role of Master Composter (and Recycler!). All while cracking jokes - I'd add Master of Puns to his list of titles. You can read about his Surfrider journey below, where he even mentions the professional staff he works with. See? Jokes!
Celebrate Plastic Free July with Grays Harbor's Plastic Free Series
July is Plastic Free month! While it's critical to understand that individual actions won't solve the plastic pollution crisis alone - we need policies and regulations to really move the needle - our personal choices do matter! This month, consider cutting out a few unnecessary plastics from your life. To help you along on your journey, check out this awesome blog series from the Grays Harbor Chapter's Plastic Pollution Coordinator, Renee!
From testing water quality on our beaches to advocating for clean water policies, Surfrider's programs are woven together by a common goal: protecting the places where we surf, swim, and play. Nowhere is that more evident than our clean water initiative. Volunteers collect and test water samples in their local communities, then testify in state hearings for sewage spill right-to-know bills or advocate for BEACH Act funding during Coastal Recreation Hill Days. All the data and stories, successes and challenges, end up in our annual Clean Water Report, where others can use it to achieve clean water victories in their own communities. The circle of activism in all its glory!
OPC's Annual International Surfing Day Fundraiser - Friday, July 18th!
The Olympic Peninsula Chapter's renowned fundraiser is coming up quick! Join us on Friday, July 18th, from 5:30-8:30 pm at the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center. The event is in conjunction with a new exhibit - Surf, Skate, & Snow. Our mission is to promote beach access, clean water, and environmental justice and stewardship across the North Olympic Peninsula. We do this through beach cleanups, addressing access issues, and providing sanicans at popular recreation spots. This annual fundraiser helps us to continue to implement this mission through the generous donations from our sponsors and support from people like you! Join us on July 18th to celebrate with live music, food and drinks for purchase, silent auction and prize drawings, killer art celebrating surfing, skateboarding, and snowboarding, and fun for the whole family!
Our South Sound Chapter hosted an Orca Night at the Harbor History Museum in May, screening "Echos of the Sound," an award-winning documentary about Hugo, a southern resident orca that was captured as a baby and sold to an aquarium. The film was followed by a Q&A with sister filmmakers Emma & Annie Stafki of Two Girls Take on the World, as well as a live reading by children’s author Sharon Mentyka, featuring her orca-themed novel Chasing at the Surface. The event was sold out, with over 85 people attending!
Tis the season to renew your membership! Every year, chapters compete for cash prizes to see who can sign up/renew the most memberships. This year, we've got a little extra sumthin' for those of us who participate - a chance to win a Yeti cooler, plus discounts at the Surfrider store! To ensure your membership dues go directly to your chapter, make sure you sign up through their website. Click on the button below, select your chapter, then click the Donate button on the top right. Memberships go a long way in supporting our mission on the ground, paying for water quality samples, beach cleanup supplies, SaniCans at popular beach access points, and more!
