How did your Student Club form?
The University of Puerto Rico, Rico Mayagüez Chapter was created to bring together students passionate about protecting Puerto Rico’s coastal and marine ecosystems. I first became involved with Surfrider Puerto Rico through the recommendation of Héctor Varela, whose guidance introduced me to the organization’s impactful work. Inspired by this connection, I co-founded the UPRM Chapter with Victoria Loureiro, and we grew alongside close friends like Paola Cardona. From the beginning, our primary goal has been to promote education and advocacy as tools for fostering environmental stewardship among students and the broader community.
Why did you want to start or join a Surfrider Student Club?
Starting the club allowed us to create a platform where education and advocacy could take center stage in addressing local environmental issues. Through my participation in the Ocean Protection Ambassadors Fellowship with EarthEcho, I gained the skills and knowledge I needed to bring Surfrider’s mission to our university. I wanted to empower students to engage in meaningful environmental action while fostering awareness about the importance of protecting our coasts and oceans.
What are some environmental issues that are affecting your local community?
Puerto Rico’s coasts are facing significant threats, including marine debris, habitat destruction, and rising sea levels caused by climate change. In Aguadilla Bay, pollution, illegal construction, and coral reef degradation are key concerns. These issues not only harm marine biodiversity but also impact local communities that depend on healthy ecosystems for their livelihoods. Through our club, we use education and advocacy to raise awareness about these challenges and encourage sustainable practices.
What Surfrider projects has your club worked on?
Our club has focused on projects that combine education and action, such as beach cleanups, single-use plastic reduction campaigns, and community workshops. A standout project has been our advocacy for Aguadilla Bay’s conservation, where we’ve held educational sessions to teach the community about the ecological importance of the bay and its role in sustaining local economies. We have also participated in a handful of mangrove planting events.
Are there any specific project(s) that your club has worked on which benefited your community? If so, can you tell us about that?
Our Aguadilla Bay conservation initiative has had a profound impact. By engaging students and community members through educational workshops, art projects, and public presentations, we’ve raised awareness about the importance of protecting this vital ecosystem. This project not only educated participants about the bay’s ecological and economic significance but also inspired collective action to advocate for its conservation.
What has been the highlight of your club's Surfrider experience so far?
The highlight has been seeing the transformative power of education and advocacy in action. Watching the community come together—especially the involvement of youth in our Aguadilla Bay initiatives—has been incredibly rewarding. It’s a testament to the fact that when people are informed and empowered, they can become passionate advocates for change.
Do you have any personal experiences or campaigns/issues that your club is passionate about where the social justice and environmental movements have intersected? If so, can you tell us about them?
Our advocacy for Aguadilla Bay has revealed the intersection of social justice and environmental issues. Coastal degradation disproportionately affects vulnerable communities that rely on the bay for their livelihoods. By focusing on education and advocacy, we’ve worked to amplify the voices of these communities and ensure that their needs are part of the conservation conversation.
What is the most important thing you tell others about Surfrider?
Surfrider is not just an organization—it’s a movement that empowers individuals to make a tangible impact through education, advocacy, and collective action. It’s about giving everyone the tools to protect the ocean and coastal ecosystems, no matter where they come from or what their background is.
Why is being a part of the Surfrider ocean conservation community important to your club?
Being part of the Surfrider community provides our chapter with the resources and support needed to turn education into action. It connects us with other passionate advocates and helps us amplify our efforts, ensuring that our work is not just local but part of a larger global movement for ocean conservation.
Thanks so much Shania! Is there anything else you would like to add?
We believe education is the foundation for long-term environmental stewardship. By inspiring and informing others, we hope to create a ripple effect that extends far beyond our campus, fostering a culture of conservation throughout Puerto Rico and beyond.