Stoked to protect Washington's ocean, waves, and beaches, for all people!
That's a Wrap!
It's been a year, y'all! Can't believe it's almost over. As we scramble through the cold, wet, darkness to get everything wrapped up 🎁 before the holidays (get it?), we're still finding time to reflect on the memories and milestones that made 2024 a year of progress, passion, and persistence as we worked together to protect and enjoy Washington's (and Alaska’s!) epic coastal places. Here's the latest and greatest news from the field. Wishing you all clean waves and a restorative holiday. Till then, stay classy, squatches!
~ Liz Schotman, Washington Regional Manager
Pete Steelquist, Washington Policy Manager
Surfrider Washington Wrapped
Beach cleanups, Blue Water Task Force, and Businesses bein' Ocean Friendly, oh my! It's been a year and our chapters have been crushing it (many received Coastal Champion Awards at our 40th Birthday Super Summit Celebration for exemplary efforts), our network has expanded, and our mission marches onward. From killer parties to coastal victories, as we reflect on 2024 we’re filled with gratitude for everyone who made these accomplishments possible. Your passion fuels our mission, and we’re excited to see what we can achieve together in 2025. From all of us at Surfrider Washington, thank you for an incredible year and for being part of a global grassroots network making positive change happen!
VICTORY! Washington votes to save the Climate Commitment Act
This past November, Washingtonians turned out to vote No on i2117 and YES to action on climate change! In 2021, Washington passed the Climate Commitment Act (CCA), becoming the second state to create comprehensive cap-and-invest program. In short, it taxes our state's largest polluters per ton of CO2, then uses that money to ensure our state is preparing for climate change and reducing its emissions. The CCA has already invested $2 billion in Washington's communities, and thanks to the tireless work our our volunteers and over 500 other organizations, groups, non-profits, Tribes, and passionate humans, it will continue to invest billions more into reducing our emissions and making our state more resilient to climate change. This is a massive win and a true testiment to the power of grassroots advocacy!
This past October, volunteers, partners, and staff from chapters and affiliates across the globe gathered in Long Beach, California to celebrate Surfrider’s 40th anniversary. The event was more than just a celebration - it was a powerful reminder of a dedicated community's impact on protecting our coasts and ocean. The days were filled with sessions ranging from volunteer recruitment to generative conflict resolution, from environmental policy to coastal resilience. Panels led by activists, scientists, business owners, and surfers provided insight into pressing issues like coastal erosion, plastic pollution, and climate change. Like all Surfrider gatherings, it was an epic weekend of collaboration and camaraderie.
This year’s Salmonfest was more than a celebration of music and community—it was a powerful platform for conservation, and the Kenai Peninsula Chapter made its debut with a splash! Held in the tiny coastal town of Ninilchik about two-thirds of the way down the peninsula, this vibrant event brought together thousands of people passionate about protecting salmon habitat, water quality, and coastal ecosystems. The chapter’s booth buzzed with activity all weekend long. Hundreds of visitors stopped by to learn about the threats facing local waterways, including plastic pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change.
This year’s International Coastal Cleanup Day in Washington was a success - chapters, groups, agencies, and individuals across the state hit up their local beaches to clean up debris and have a good time. Decked out with gloves, buckets, and determination, we tackled the debris littering the coastline, leaving the shores cleaner and safer for wildlife and visitors alike. Shout out to Coastsavers for coordinating these coastwide cleanups!
A Plan to Take Action - Upgrading the WA Marine Debris Action Plan
Way back in October, Surfrider Washington joined researchers, policymakers, and fellow advocates in Port Angeles for the 2024 NOAA Marine Debris Action Plan Workshop. This gathering brought together passionate changemakers to address one of our planet’s most pressing environmental issues: marine debris. The purpose of this workshop was to review the 2021 Action Plan, share updates, and develop a new plan for the upcoming years. It's clear that the fight against marine debris requires all hands on deck. Workshops like this one are a critical step toward cleaner oceans, and we’re excited to bring the ideas and connections we made into our 2025 Plastic Pollution Initiative efforts!
It's that time of the year when we are bombarded with messaging to buy things, spend money, consume consumeconsume! However, excessive consumption is one of the primary drivers of climate change. You know what isn't? Supporting good causes that build community and protect the places we love! Memberships directly support your local chapters' work. Not sure what to get that hard-to-shop-for relative? Consider giving them the gift of friendship...and by that I mean a gift membership so that they can be a #FriendOfTheOcean.
