Summer is fast approaching and energy is high here in Oregon. Coming off of two legislative wins, there are still more advocacy opportunities that need your support! Our local chapters have some awesome events coming up this summer, as well as a lot of great opportunities to get involved with their work. I am so excited to join the Surfrider team and meet all the members who make this grassroots world turn.
- Kaia
Meet Kaia Hazard: Surfrider's New Oregon Field Manager
My first month with Surfrider has been a wild ride! I've been to a couple of really cool events so far where I've gotten to meet some of you and I look forward to meeting more of you this summer! Click the link to read a little more about me and don't hesitate to reach out.
Take Action: Put the Community Back in Oregon's Marine Reserves
Oregon's Governor has proposed cuts to the Marine Reserve Program and we need your help! This is a major failure to act on the 2023 decadal science review and puts coastal communities and the whole program at risk.
The Oregon Legislature passed two bills with bipartisan support in May to address the growing environmental and public health impacts of single-use plastics. SB 543 eliminated polystyrene foam and PFAS in takeout foodware while SB 545 better enabled health code for expanding reusables and reuse systems. Both bills are the result of years of advocacy from Surfrider Foundation programs and campaigns aimed at reducing plastic pollution in Oregon.
The Coos Bay Chapter recently had their Surf Camp trailer broken into and 75% of their wetsuits were stolen. The Chapter offers these surf camps for free, and many kids who participate in these camps have never been in the ocean before, making for a very powerful experience. If you would like to help support youth stoke for surfing and replenish their stock, donations can be made on their website- just include "Surf Camp Wetsuit Fund" in the memo. If you would like to donate new or gently used wetsuits and/or booties, please contact Coos Bay Chair Annie Pollard: chair@coosbay.surfrider.org
The Surfrider Foundation is pleased to announce that we have entered into a preliminary agreement that will restore access to Lighthouse Beach in Coos Bay, Oregon. After seeking to restore access outside of court, Surfrider, on behalf of the Coos Bay Chapter, filed a lawsuit for a public prescriptive easement on June 6, 2022. Trial had been scheduled to begin April 25, 2023 at the Coos County Circuit Court in Coquille. However, a conceptual agreement has now been reached.
The Portland Chapter kicked off the summer with a rad action day at Oswald West State Park. There was camping, surfing, local beer, and most importantly an amazing day of working with our partner groups to show a little love to Shortie's. Thank you to Trailkeepers of Oregon, Oregon State Parks, North Coast Land Conservancy, Public Coast Brewing, and to all of our volunteers who made it happen!
Check out our new video and visit our social media to share!
Cleanup Spotlight: some of the floating debris from Smuggler Cove that was picked up by kayakers bringing a marine component to the Portland Chapter's Oswald West Action Day
A big thanks to Elissa Connolly-Randazzo, Coastal Outreach Fellow with Oregon Coastal Management Program (OCMP) at the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) for her "Oregon's Beaches & Dunes" presentation at the Newport Chapter's May chapter meeting! Also, a special thanks to our two bonus speakers, Kevin Herkamp, Ocean Shore Program Coordinator at OPRD and Carl Hendrickson, NOAA Sea Level Rise Adaptation Fellow. And thank you to Rogue Bayfront Public House for hosting!
Nearly 100 people attended Portland's Wave Watch Wednesday at Up North Surf Shop to watch Cyrus Sutton's 2010 film Stoked & Broke. Cyrus himself was there to introduce it and host trivia afterwards.
Upcoming Events!
June 7, 6:00, Siuslaw – Chapter Meeting – More info
