Summer is here and Oregon's legislative session has come to a close. In spite of a divided legislature, Surfrider's statewide plastic pollution campaigns came out with major victories, while our ocean protection work suffered the political fate of setbacks. At the local level, chapter activity is heating up, giving you plenty of opportunities to protect and enjoy our beaches this summer. Read to the end for a list of cleanups, surf camps, and Surfrider socials happening this summer! I have had a great time traveling to all the Oregon chapters so far; thank you to those who have welcomed me into your homes and into the work you are doing to protect our coast. I have been touched by your acceptance and energy and can't wait to see where we go together.
- Kaia
Surf, Stoke & Stewardship at the 13th Annual Otter Rock and Roll
Video by Michael Leimbach
The Surfrider Foundation’s Newport Chapter hosted youth competitors from across the pacific northwest for the Otter Rock and Roll Youth Surf Contest and Beach Cleanup Challenge in celebration of International Surfing Day. Now in its 13th year in the Newport community, the Otter Rock and Roll remains Oregon’s longest-running and only surf contest designed solely for kids, complete with a best beginner division to support young learners. While the swell was small the stoke was big!
A big gut punch to our many years of ocean protection work this legislative session was both the budget cuts to the Oregon Marine Reserve Program and the failure of the legislature to act on the 10-year climate adaptation recommendations (HB 2903). While this represents a big blow to the future of these important sites and the work taking place within them, Surfrider Oregon and our parters are already on the ground running with new targeted strategies outside the legislature to turn the tide and fully fund these specially protected areas in Oregon's ocean.
The Fourth of July holiday and the days surrounding it contribute so much litter and marine debris to Oregon’s beaches that the fifth of July has now been declared the dirtiest beach day of the year. That’s why Surfrider Foundation is partnering with local and county government, waste haulers, other environmental nonprofits, community groups, and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department to host a series of Fifth of July Cleanups throughout Lincoln County.
Oregon Leadership Calls for Pause on Offshore Wind
In a June 9th letter to BOEM, Governor Tina Kotek, Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and Congresswomen Val Hoyle and Suzanne Bonamici, outlined continued concerns they are hearing from Oregon’s coastal communities about offshore wind energy leasing activities and requested additional time to consult with Tribal governments and engage stakeholders in coastal communities. The letter clearly outlines this interest to support renewable energy, however calls for BOEM to engage in more meaningful planning process.
The team is hiring a social scientist, to support this awesome conservation program. Based in Newport, OR. Deadline to apply is July 20. More info here
Cleanup Spotlight: a small but mighty crew from Surfrider Portland picked up nearly 1000 cigarette butts and 21.5lbs of trash in the Belmont neighborhood during a collaborative cleanup with OKAPI Reusables and Stumptown Coffee!
The Coos Bay Surf Camp trailer lives! In an act of collaboration, it made it's way from Coos Bay to Newport for Otter Rock and Roll stocked with new wetsuits donated by members and our friends at Rip Curl! Thank you to everyone who donated a wetsuit or funds!!!
-thumb-4.jpeg?t=1688161995625&width=560&composeType=play_button&overlayColor=%232f4254&overlayScale=0.3&name=Otter%20RockNRoll%202023%20(1)-thumb-4.jpeg)
