Q: What is your current role with the Surfrider Foundation?
I am currently the Vice Chair for the Surfrider Foundation New Hampshire Chapter. In addition to helping “steer the ship,” I manage programs such as the chapter’s Blue Water Task Force program and Beach Cleanup program. I also co-manage social media and other content-heavy activities. So I guess if we look at the chapter like a startup, then I wear more than a few hats. Then again, all of us on the chapter's Executive Committee wear many hats and jump in where needed.
Q: Why and when did you get involved with the Surfrider Foundation?
I became involved with my local chapter a little more than three years ago, but did also participate in some events on the West Coast several years ago. I joined my local chapter here in New Hampshire because I wanted to get closer to issues impacting our coastline and take a more active role in pushing for solutions, rather than just sitting on the sidelines. I also wanted to be part of a community of like-minded people.
Q: What are some environmental issues that are affecting your local community?
Here in New Hampshire, we are very lucky that our waters and beaches are quite clean. But we have old infrastructure and that is very problematic. In addition to old infrastructure, our coastline is becoming increasingly popular with both vacationers and people looking for investment property and/or relocation. This added traffic, combined with older waterline infrastructure, is a danger to our coastline. It really is a double-edged sword. On one hand, we want to see more visitors, which is good for our economy, but on the other hand, having more people in the area strains the existing systems. There is the risk of increasing levels of contamination and plastic pollution due to the increase in visitors and the expanding number of residents. So there is a dark side to success.
Q: What Surfrider projects have you worked on?
Water Quality Assessment and Notification through Blue Water Task Force program, Beach Cleanups and Equitable Beach Access issues
Q: Are there any specific project(s) that you have worked on which benefited your community? If so, can you tell us about that?
Our Blue Water Task Force and Beach Cleanup programs have had a positive impact on our local communities. Through the Blue Water Task Force, we have provided demonstrated evidence that our water is clean, and we have also provided evidence that we are not immune to contamination from fecal bacteria. We have had some serious events where we are able to engage with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, alert the public and overall keep beachgoers aware and safe. Through beach cleanups, we have certainly made the beaches look better, but more importantly, we have inspired people to take action and also make smarter choices when it comes to plastic use and consumption. In addition, we have inspired people, especially young people, to make their voices heard on environmental issues they are passionate about.
Q: What has been the highlight of your Surfrider experience (i.e., campaign, program, victory)?
There have been many highlights for me. It is easy to say that seeing eyes light up when you talk about water quality or plastic pollution is a highlight. It is easy to say that making a beach cleaner is a highlight or for that matter, working on water quality analysis. All of that is great and I love it, but one of the greatest honors was Coastal Recreation Hill Day. For one, it gave me a new appreciation for the work staffers do. But more so I found it very interesting to take part in this work. I thoroughly enjoyed presenting the issues I was passionate about (water quality and infrastructure) and talking about the problems we face, but also provide my personal experiences that have occurred locally and in other far away places. That fact that I can help influence (in some small way) a very, very large decision that can make things better truly puts a smile on my face and makes all the work worth it.
Q: What can Surfrider do to foster an inclusive and welcoming experience?
I think we need to be open and engaging to all in our community and even more so the larger community that we often forget. The larger community are those who might be in towns more inland who come to visit. New Hampshire is a small enough state where we can reach beyond the coastline. In addition, we need to be open (and we already are) to those who may not be surfers. We are often asked, “Do I need to be a surfer to join your chapter?” Our answer is always an emphatic “No you do not.” That is quickly followed by, “our members enjoy the waves and beaches in many ways! All we care about is that you are interested in the issues impacting our waters and beaches and want to be part of a group working together to do something about it and effect change.”
Q: What is the most important thing you tell others about Surfrider?
We are a diverse group made up of people who are passionate about issues impacting our coastline and waters. Many of us are surfers, but just as many are not. But what we all have in common is we care about our water and beaches and we want to preserve them now and for generations to come.
Q: Why is being a part of the Surfrider ocean conservation community important to you?
It is important to me because I can make a difference and be part of something larger than myself.
Q: Anything else?
I am a lifelong surfer and windsurfer and have been to many amazing places because of these sports. But I cannot just be a surfer and windsurfer. I need to live a life that is more than just those sports and I need to give back.