Thanks to all of our volunteers for there amazing work in 2011! Here’s to another great year!

That’s right folks it’s already time for another big push to help keep Oregon’s beaches and watersheds clean. This Saturday, September 17th from 10am-1pm come on out and lend a hand in stewardship efforts for our greatest natural assets. Surfrider Foundation volunteers and beach captains will be helping out at various locations up and down the coast. Everything is open game, come on out for a good time! More info and registration materials can be found here.

Laurie Penland was doing some diving off of the coast of Belize, near a portion of the unique and wonderful Meso-American Barrier reef. This amazing reef system includes various protected areas and parks including the Belize Barrier Reef, Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Sian Ka’an biosphere reserve, and the Cayos Cochinos Marine Park. Laurie was stationed at Smithsonian Marine Research Station on Carrie Bow and when I came across her story today “Witness to a Plastic Invasion” , felt I had to share…read it and watch the video. Her stunning underwater video posted along with her self reflection on the 2 day event is worth a read and a share. What do you see in your daily life and in the ocean?

Last year, President Obama established the National Ocean Policy to help protect and restore our nation’s oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes. The policy is already being implemented and is improving collaboration between government agencies, scientists, ocean users, and members of the public. Oregon is being viewed as an emerging leader for successful implementation of this policy with our collaborative efforts to amend our Territorial Sea Plan currently underway. Unfortunately, some Members of Congress are attempting to stop the National Ocean Policy with a backdoor attack through an FY12 Interior Appropriations bill. Halting implementation of the policy would reduce our nation’s capacity to protect and restore our ocean and coastal ecosystems and the communities that depend upon them. Please make your voice heard and ask your Senators and Representative to support the National Ocean Policy and oppose any proposal that would restrict its funding or implementation. Participate in our action alert today by clicking here.

It’s well known in the Oregon surfing community that Spencer Reynolds does some beautiful artwork. Check out Spencer’s new website here. In celebration of International Surfing Day, Spencer is generously donating 25% of online print sales from June 20-25th to the Oregon Chapters of the Surfrider Foundation. Get a few pieces to help beautify your home today, and help support the continued protection and enjoyment of Oregon’s ocean, waves and beaches at the same time. Kudos Spencer!

Beverly Beach captain Peter Snell calculating waste from last year's cleanup

When: Saturday, March 26th – 10:00am-1:00pm

Where: All of Oregon beaches!

It’s time, the annual SOLV spring beach cleanups are here and once again our chapters and volunteers are jumping into full gear to help clean up Oregon Beaches. Participants are encouraged, although not required, to pre-register to save time at the beach and checking in. We hope to see you there!

Ban the Bag!! Time to ramp up your efforts folks, we need your voice so please take action today!

Starting on Friday, March 4th and running through Thursday, March 10th, the Hollywood Theater will present Bag It, a humble documentary that makes a lasting impression about the prevalence of plastic in our daily lives.

This run could not be any more timely – just last month, legislation banning single-use plastic checkout bags in Oregon was introduced in the Oregon Legislature. Oregon could become the first state to ban the bag – but not without your help!

Join us for one of the Bag It viewings starting on March 4th.

WHAT: Bag It Oregon! The Movie, The Bill, The Chance

WHEN: 7pm Friday 3/4 – Thursday 3/10, plus 5pm on Saturday 3/5 and Sunday 3/6

WHERE: The Hollywood Theater, 4122 NE Sandy Blvd. Portland, OR

COST: $7 (seniors and kids $4)

The grand premiere – on Friday March 4th – will include a talk-back after the show with local leaders, Junk-to-funk fashion, live music, and a raffle. Visit the website for more information.

Proceeds from Bag It will go to the organizations working hard to ban the bag – OLCV, Environment Oregon, the Surfrider Foundation, Willamette Riverkeeper, Tualatin Riverkeeper, Recycling Advocates, and the Audubon Society.

Hope to see you there!

P.S. The Surfrider Foundation Portland Chapter will be tabling at the event on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. If you are interested in volunteering contact Chapter Chair Staj at staj.pace@oregonsurfrider.org

Students from Westside Village School Poised for Bag Ban

From our champions at the capitol to our grassroots activists on the ground, statewide momentum is gaining with the authoring of Senate Bill 536. There’s plenty of ways that you can get involved and help out from gaining business supporters, outreach and education to helping pass city resolutions in your community. We’ve been talking for years now to thousands of Oregonians and the movement is strong and the opposition fierce, but we believe in the power of our educated citizens to help move this issue during the 2011 legislative session. Skeptical about the bag ban, wanna know how this has played out elsewhere such as in our nation’s capitol? Check out this article on “Anatomy of a Bag Ban” on our rise above plastics blog. Start small by signing our petition and visit our Oregon Ban the Bag page to stay up to date on the latest opportunities to get involved and support the cause!

City and Regional Resolutions – Portland, Newport, Beaverton, Cannon Beach, Tillamook, Lake Oswego, Portland Metro

Business Supporters – Over 400 statewide and growing!

Individual Supporters – Over 10,000 statewide and growing!

In 2005, the Surfrider Foundation set an ambitious goal to attain 150 coastal victories by the end of 2010.  On December 1st, we successfully achieved this milestone when the Obama administration announced that it would ban new offshore drilling in the continental United States for the next 7 years; capping a two-year effort by the Foundation to restore coastal protection lost in 2008.

The Surfrider Foundation originally set the 150-victory goal as a way to measure success on the ground.  Surfrider Foundation defines a coastal victory as an official decision made in favor of the coastal and ocean environment that results in a positive conservation outcome, improves coastal access, or both.

“Achieving such a monumental goal is a true testament to our organization and the volunteers who have given up countless hours of their time to help protect our beaches and coastlines for the benefit of everyone, everywhere,” says Surfrider Foundation’s CEO Jim Moriarty.