No prior experience is required to join the Policy Committee. We welcome volunteers with a passion for protecting the environment, regardless of experience. Our team will provide guidance, training, and resources to help you get started.
Coastal Protection Policy Committee
Join us in protecting and shaping the future of Santa Cruz's coastline through policy action and community engagement.
Take Action: Advocate for our coastlines
Our coastlines are the heart of Santa Cruz County. Join the Costal Protection Policy Committee and help advocate for the protection of our beaches, ocean, and local environment!
As a Policy Committee member, you’ll stay informed about local environmental policies, attend meetings, engage in advocacy efforts, and collaborate with others to push for positive change. It's an impactful way to shape policies that protect what we all love—our beautiful coastlines.
Let’s make a lasting difference, together!
Upcoming Santa Cruz Policy Meetings
We need volunteers to advocate for our oceans, waves, and beaches.
Join our policy committee and one of these local policy meetings to help protect our coasts:
Quick links to stay informed:
To advocate for policy, it's essential to stay informed about local environmental policies, meetings, and legislative updates. Here's how:
Government Updates
- Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors
- City of Santa Cruz Council Meetings
- California Coastal Commission
- Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission
Public Meetings
- Santa Cruz Board of Supervisor Meetings
- City of Santa Cruz Council Meetings
- California State Meetings (including California Coastal Commission)
Environmental News & Policy Tracking
News Sources
Environmental Policy Organizations
When you become a policy committee volunteer, you are protecting our precious Santa Cruz beaches, waves, and coastlines.
What to expect as a Policy Committee volunteer:
Monitor Local Policies – Stay informed on city, county, and state policies affecting the ocean and environment.
Collaborate with Stakeholders – Partner with officials, environmental groups, and the public to advance Surfrider’s mission.
Attend & Speak at Meetings – Represent Surfrider by attending hearings and providing public comments.
Write Advocacy Letters – Advocate for ocean-friendly policies through letters to officials and legislators.
Work with Leadership – Provide policy recommendations to the Executive Committee and collaborate with teams.
Educate the Community – Raise awareness through social media, blog posts, and newsletters.
What we focus on:
While our priorities may shift, here are some key policy issues we focus on:
Plastic Pollution Reduction – Support policies that ban or limit single-use plastics, encourage reusable alternatives, and promote waste reduction.
Coastal Access & Protection – Advocate for public beach access and fight against development that threatens our coastlines.
Water Quality & Ocean Health – Work with our Blue Water Task Force to address water pollution issues.
Sea Level Rise & Climate Resilience – Track local policies on climate adaptation, sea level rise planning, and shoreline management.
Offshore Drilling & Industrial Threats – Oppose projects that threaten marine ecosystems.
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Time commitments vary based on your availability. We'd love to have you committee to attending monthly meetings and staying updated on local policy issues. However, you can contribute more or less based on your availability. Efforts include attending public meetings, writing advocacy letters, or engaging in community outreach efforts.
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While speaking at public meetings is an important way to advocate for change, it is not required for all volunteers. You can participate by attending meetings, gathering information, writing letters, or supporting others who speak. If you're comfortable, you can also provide public comments or written statements.
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We encourage you to spread the word about the Policy Committee and invite friends, family, and colleagues to join! You can share information through social media, word-of-mouth, or by hosting a small info session to recruit others who share the same passion for protecting our coastline.
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We'll give you an orientation document once you sign up. In the meantime, you can subscribe to government meeting alerts through the Santa Cruz County and City websites. You can also set up Google Alerts for policy issues related to Surfrider's mission. Additionally, we will keep you informed through our regular volunteer updates and meetings.