Elianny Ramirez With the Florida International University Student Club

What is your current role with the Surfrider Foundation?

I am currently the Surfrider Network Liaison for the Surfrider Club at Florida International University. My role entails maintaining communication with other local chapters, such as Surfrider Miami, and collaborating alongside them for beach cleanups, fundraising socials, and other events

When and why did you choose to get involved?

I first got involved with Surfrider my freshman year of college. I had been looking for ways to involve myself in school and one of FIU Surfrider’s beach cleanups had appeared on the list of club events. After going to my first beach cleanup, I felt an undeniable pull to continue volunteering for the club. I had met amazing people that welcomed me and shared more about Surfrider’s mission. 

In pursuit of experiencing that again and meeting more people along the way, I became our club’s marketing director. Being responsible for our social media encouraged me to create engaging posts for ocean lovers and until this day, our marketing directors have worked to maintain that. I truly appreciate their hard work in developing an even more impactful and authentic social media presence by creating posts and reels that reach a great variety of viewers.

As the first group of board members I worked with began graduating, the team entrusted me with the role of President. The transition challenged me to build a new team, whose creativity, diligence, and skills quickly exceeded expectations. Together, we not only formed strong friendships but also strengthened ties with Miami-Dade Parks and Recreation staff and the Surfrider Miami Chapter. Our team has proudly participated in beach cleanups and park beautifications, leaving both a lasting environmental and community impact.

What are some local environmental issues that you have witnessed?

Abandoned fishing gear, sewage leaks, and overconsumption are the greatest contributors to environmental issues in Miami. The July 5th cleanup is an annual tradition for cleaning up America’s beaches on the Dirtiest Beach Day of the Year. Our coastlines suffer the most after major holidays and long weekends, yet with the help of our community, we often exceed 50 pounds of collected trash per cleanup and educate bystanders about our club’s mission along the way.

Blue Water Task Force, Surfrider’s water quality monitoring program, does a remarkable job at advising swimmers about harmful bacteria in our waters and protecting public health. I cannot tell you the amount of times I have depended on weekly water quality results before jumping into the water.

What Surfrider projects have you been involved with? How have these projects impacted your community?

All of our biggest cleanup events, particularly those that involve the collaboration with other school clubs or local Surfrider chapters, require careful planning to ensure the safety and enjoyment of our members. One of our largest cleanup events of 2025 was at Hobie Beach, Key Biscayne, where 40 college-student volunteers collected over 75 pounds of trash. 

In addition, Surfrider FIU has collaborated with various college organizations, participated at high school environmental fairs, and advocated for Surfrider’s Ocean Friendly Restaurants program. With every project we take on, our team gains valuable experience and insight, which we share with our volunteers to empower them to care for our environment.

Do you have any personal experiences where the social justice and environmental movements have intersected?

Hurricanes and flooding hit hardest in low-income communities such as Little Haiti or Hialeah. Polluted water disrupts ecosystems and contaminates drinking water with pathogens. Throughout my time volunteering for Surfrider, I’ve learned that every pollutant in our waters — no matter how small — harms marine life and could even affect human health. It is our mission to protect our ocean and restore coastal features such as mangroves and dunes, which act as a barrier to the destructive forces of a hurricane. In doing so, we will also protect people.

What can Surfrider do to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment?

Surfrider can continue to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment by organizing beach cleanup events that are safe and accessible to all people. Around the world, too many people are excluded — this can lead them to believe that their qualities and assistance aren’t valuable. To address this, Surfrider collaborates with diverse groups and creates a welcoming environment for all to enjoy.

Elianny kneeling in the front row, second from left.

What is the most important thing you tell others about Surfrider?

Surfrider isn’t just a nonprofit environmental organization — it is a community that motivates people to protect what they love most. Being involved with Surfrider has made me more passionate about ocean conservation, and working alongside people who follow the same mission has greatly impacted that experience. 

I’ve educated high school students and volunteers about the plastic pollution crisis, hopped on a surfboard for the first time, and conversed with leaders of other environmental organizations, all of which I probably never would have done if I hadn’t joined Surfrider. I have met plenty of incredible individuals and have strengthened my friendships through cleanup events. Most of all, Surfrider has given me a community that feels like family, and I’m excited to keep working together to protect the ocean we all love.

What has been the highlight of your Surfrider experience?

I’ve always enjoyed our post-cleanup socials where people bring beach games and celebrate their hard work by jumping into the water after hours of picking up trash. These moments strengthen the sense of community that makes Surfrider FIU so special.

Thanks so much Elianny! Is there anything else you would like to add?

My time with Surfrider has strengthened my confidence as a leader and deepened my belief that when people share their unique abilities in service of their communities, real and lasting change can happen!