Our September Chapter Meeting was a great success! We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our community members who joined us — your dedication and passion for protecting our coastlines make everything we do possible.
A special shout-out goes to Patagonia Santa Cruz for providing the venue, helping with setup and take down, and generously supplying food and drinks. Your support made this meeting smooth, welcoming, and enjoyable — we can’t thank you enough!
Meeting Highlights:
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Surfrider Overview – Darcie Connell kicked off the meeting by sharing the mission and structure of the Surfrider Foundation. She highlighted how our chapter is volunteer-powered, mission-focused, science-backed, and community-driven, and explained how our work fits into the broader national network protecting oceans and coastlines.
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Marine Debris – Dave Robinson gave a detailed presentation on marine debris challenges in our local waters. From common items like cigarette butts to larger pollution concerns, Dave emphasized the impact on wildlife and the environment. Attendees learned about local policy wins such as the recent “Ban the Butt” ordinances, ongoing debris mapping, and initiatives to reduce plastics and other waste at its source.
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Blue Water Task Force (BWTF) Updates – Tico Andrea, Michael Zatzke, and Cailyn Randoll-Zatzke shared an inside look at our volunteer water quality monitoring program. With 20+ volunteers testing 20 beaches every other week, they described the careful collection, processing, and publication of samples that keep the public informed and help protect public health. They also discussed program goals including high-quality data, consistency, sustainability, environmental consciousness, and expanded community impact.
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How to Get Involved – Darcie Connell wrapped up the presentations by highlighting ways volunteers can participate across programs like Beach Cleanups, BWTF, Beach Guardians, Policy Committee work, Ocean Friendly Gardens, and Impact Ambassadors. She encouraged attendees to take an active role in shaping our chapter’s work and to help expand our reach in the community.
Key Takeaways:
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Our ocean and coasts are under pressure from pollution, climate change, and human activity — but small, committed actions can make a big difference.
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Surfrider’s programs rely on volunteers to collect science-backed data, advocate for policy change, and engage the community.
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Community engagement, partnerships, and education are critical to sustaining the health of our beaches and oceans.
Upcoming Opportunities:
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Main Beach Cleanup: Sunday, Oct 5th, 9–11am
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Virtual Chapter Meeting: Thursday, Oct 23rd, 6:30pm
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Women on Waves Tabling: Sunday, Oct 19th
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Executive Committee Applications Open: Apply here
We are so grateful for the incredible community that makes Surfrider Santa Cruz possible. If you missed this meeting, we hope to see you at our next one! Stay updated on volunteer opportunities, events, and chapter news via our newsletter and volunteer page.
Together, we’re protecting our coast, our ocean, and the communities that love them.
Surfrider Santa Cruz
