Header image credit: Davis Huber
What is your role at Surfrider and when did you get involved?
I'm currently the Chair of the Florida Keys Chapter. In June 2022, I stumbled across a Surfrider shoreline cleanup on a day off and ended up meeting the Chapter Chair at the time, Whitney. She quickly became an incredible mentor and close friend. That experience showed me how powerful community-driven conservation can be. I wanted to get involved to make a tangible difference in my local community, connect with passionate and inspiring people, and grow my experience in environmental advocacy.
What are some local environmental issues that you have witnessed?
During my time working as a scuba instructor in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, I watched coral species decline and disappear from reefs that I visited daily. Seeing that kind of loss firsthand is something you never forget, and it ultimately propelled me into a career in coral reef ecosystem conservation.
Marine debris is another major issue. When you spend as much time on the water as we do in the Keys, you realize there isn’t a single day you don’t encounter some form of trash, whether it’s floating offshore, tangled on the reef, or washed up along the coastline. In such an environmentally sensitive area, it’s concerning to witness, but also incredibly motivating to take action.
What Surfrider projects have you been involved with? How have these projects impacted your community?
Two recent favorite projects have been our chapter’s Skip the Stuff campaign and helping kick off Surfrider’s #SignTheSurfboard campaign locally. Through Skip the Stuff, we partnered with Monroe County, local municipalities, and community nonprofits to work with restaurants to reduce unnecessary single use plastics by encouraging “by request only” policies for items like utensils, straws, and condiments. It’s a simple shift, but one that has the potential to significantly reduce waste across our community, save local businesses money, and move restaurants one step closer to becoming Ocean Friendly Restaurants. One participating restaurant even reported about $250 per week in savings!
The #SignTheSurfboard campaign created an approachable and interactive way for people to engage in advocacy against offshore oil drilling. By inviting community members to literally sign their names in support of coastal protection, it helped turn awareness into action and made advocacy feel accessible and collective. It was amazing to see the community come together around this effort.
In addition to these projects, I’ve been involved in ongoing shoreline cleanups and community engagement events that help build a stronger sense of stewardship in the Florida Keys. It’s incredibly rewarding to see that when people physically participate in protecting their beaches and ocean, they often become lifelong advocates for them. These efforts bring people together around shared values and give them a direct, tangible way to protect the places they love.
Do you have any personal experiences or campaigns/issues where the social justice and environmental movements have intersected?
Beach access is a clear example of where environmental and social justice intersect. Everyone should have the opportunity to experience and enjoy our coastlines, regardless of background or income. In the Florida Keys, although we are surrounded by water, there are surprisingly few public access points to enjoy and recreate in the very environment that draws people here. Recently, our chapter engaged in this issue at a local access point in Key Largo. Protecting public access helps ensure the ocean remains a shared space for the entire community, not just a privilege for a few.
What can Surfrider do to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment?
People may initially join Surfrider because they care about the issues, but they stay because of the community. Creating welcoming spaces where people feel valued, heard, and empowered to take action is key. When people feel like they belong, they’re more likely to stay engaged and continue advocating for our ocean and coastlines.
What is the most important thing you tell others about Surfrider?
Joining Surfrider has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my adult life. It gives people a real opportunity to turn their passion for the ocean into meaningful action. The community is incredible, and I’ve made lifelong friendships through this work.
What has been the highlight of your Surfrider experience?
One of the biggest highlights has been participating in advocacy in Washington, D.C. and meeting with NOAA leadership in 2023. Having the opportunity to represent the Florida Keys community and speak directly with decision-makers about ocean conservation was incredibly meaningful.
Thanks so much Katie! Is there anything else you would like to add?
The Florida Keys community has such a deep rooted connection to the water. Seeing volunteers, local partners, residents, and visitors come together to protect the vital ecosystems our community relies on and reduce environmental impacts is incredibly inspiring. Grassroots action truly makes a difference. I’m so grateful to be part of this organization and for the opportunity to grow from a volunteer into a chapter leader alongside such incredible, inspiring, and hardworking conservationists and advocates.
