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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!

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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:

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.  

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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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    Frequently Asked Questions