By Ursula Newman
Even in Humboldt where coastlines may look pristine, the fight for ocean health is alive and well. The Surfrider Foundation’s Humboldt chapter is a major force in that fight. They’re inviting students and community members to get involved through education and action.
Founded in 1984, the Surfrider Foundation began as a group of surfers concerned about Surfrider Beach in Malibu, Calif. Their favorite surf break was facing environmental issues caused by increasing coastal development.
“The Surfrider Foundation believes that getting outside and engaging with the natural world, especially the ocean, waves and beaches, is inspiring, supports healthier lifestyles, improves productivity and ultimately creates a better culture.” their website reads.
One of the co-founders of Surfrider Foundation, Tom Pratte, majored in coastal environmental studies here at Humboldt State University. One of the first major victories for Surfrider as an environmental nonprofit was the work they did in the second largest Clean Water Act-related case in U.S. history. This lawsuit filed in 1989 against two oceanfront pulp mills in Humboldt resulted in significant reduction of toxic discharges. Both mills closed down several years later.
What does surfrider do?
Jessie Cretser-Hartenstein is the current chair for Surfrider Humboldt and an associate professor in the journalism department specializing in public relations. The chapter is volunteer-based and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. She explained that because of our smaller population, industry pollution has been a bigger problem than individuals.
“We do a lot of policy work for environmental policy and programs in addition to beach clean-ups, and some more local boots-on-the-ground efforts,” Cretser-Hartenstein said. “When there are specific agenda items in local government, we also do things like writing public comment letters and showing up at city council meetings to have our voice heard on environmental issues that affect our oceans and waterways here in Humboldt County and beyond.”
Recently, the Surfrider Humboldt chapter has been active as a watchdog on local projects, such as the Redwood Coast Offshore Wind Project, which has Vineyard Offshore and RWE Offshore Wind as its main developers. Nordic Aquafarms, a fish farm in development here in Humboldt is another project Surfrider is monitoring to ensure they have as little negative environmental impact as possible.
Nationally, Surfrider engages in litigation and advocates for strong environmental standards. They contributed to the banning of single-use plastic bags throughout California. The Humboldt chapter certifies ocean-friendly restaurants and gardens in the county, performs water testing as part of the Blue Water Task Force and hosts educational outreach at local grade schools. Regular events such as beach clean-ups and movie nights are a great entry point for engaging with environmental work.
They encourage everyone to make more sustainable choices, like avoiding single-use plastics and supporting green businesses.
Student involvement through the Surfrider Club
Surfrider Humboldt relies on people who are passionate about the environment getting involved. Ryan Diaz, a junior studying public relations and communications at Cal Poly Humboldt, is the media and communications intern for Surfrider Humboldt. Recently, Diaz revived the Surfrider club on campus, which faded in 2019.
“All up and down California, and [nationally], there are countless universities and high schools who have taken initiative to create a Surfrider club and expand its mission,” Diaz said. “It’s a vital part of our activist network, and it’s what keeps our oceanic conservation messaging, concepts and ideas alive.”
Diaz said that the first meeting had a really good turnout, with students looking forward to beach clean-ups, Earth Day celebrations and partnerships with other clubs in the near future. Cretser-Hartenstein, who is also faculty advisor for the club, explained that they’re getting active on and off-campus.
“We’re doing education and outreach to inform other students on campus and throughout the community about ocean conservation, and also just doing fun stuff as well, like getting out to the beach and actually enjoying the beautiful coastline that we have here,” Cretser-Hartenstein said.
Getting involved/upcoming events
The chapter’s popular event Ocean Night is hosted every month at Arcata Theatre Lounge. Coming up on April 24 at 6:30 p.m., they will be showing the documentary Corners of the Earth, and an episode of Maps to Nowhere.
“Sometimes, it will be a pretty hard-hitting environmental documentary, and sometimes it’s just fun and uplifting films about how different people recreate and utilize our beaches and our oceans,” Cretser-Hartenstein said. “It’s a really good community event that’s education and outreach-centered, but also just a fun time for like-minded folks to get together.”
Secretary of the Humboldt chapter Kate Russell is also involved with event planning for things like public meetings and movie nights.
“One of the easiest things [students] could do is come to one of our chapter meetings,” Russell said. “The club members come to our meetings, and you can meet everybody and get a sense of what we have planned out for the year.”
Individual action adds up, especially when it’s a local effort. The Surfrider Foundation provides a way to make change with environmental issues that the community cares about.
“We implore all of our population in Humboldt County to get involved,” Diaz said. “Students are the grounds of our society and the next generation that is going to be making those hard-hitting decisions and choices that impact our future.
The club welcomes all students, no experience necessary. They will be hosting a beach clean-up on April 27 at 9 a.m. at the North Jetty.
More information can be found @cphsurfrider, the official Instagram for the club. You can find out more about Surfrider Humboldt on their website and Facebook, @surfriderhumboldt.
Ursula Newman is a journalism major and Humboldt local. You can find her all over town doing all kinds of things, and talking to all sorts of people.