Happy National Volunteer Week! Did you know volunteers are the heart and soul of Surfrider? We only have two staff in Oregon, but we have 40+ volunteer leaders driving our work. We really do rely on our amazing network of volunteers.
Surfrider's volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds and careers – retired farriers, students, business owners, parents, scientists, brewers, and more! They are tenacious, creative, generous, and supportive. We are so grateful they share their time and knowledge with us.
We are so grateful our volunteers choose to spend their free time fighting for clean water and healthy beaches. From Chapter Executive Committee volunteers that lead and organize our individual chapters’ work to those that pitch in with programs and events - we can’t thank our volunteers enough!
Meet our Oregon Chapter Network
Coos Bay
Our southernmost chapter – Coos Bay Chapter – supports THREE BWTF labs located at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, Bandon High School, and Pacific High School. The Coos Bay Crew loves having fun – especially at their March Gala, summer Surf Camps, and September Stand Up for the Bay.
The Coos Bay Chapter has been fighting the Jordan Cove LNG "zombie" project for the past two years, forming new partnerships along the way. They've also installed two Ocean Friendly Gardens and recruited the Oregon Coast's first Ocean Friendly Restaurant!
If you'd like to get involved with the Coos Bay Chapter, reach out to Elizabeth at volunteercoordinator@coosbay.surfrider.org
Siuslaw
The Siuslaw Chapter is our small but mighty Lane County coastal crew, most of which call Florence or neighboring communities to the north and south home base. In partnership with the Siuslaw Watershed Council, they operate one of the longer-running Blue Water Task Force programs in Oregon, sampling water quality from the Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve and Protected Areas down to the south jetty. This tireless crew has done an amazing job with what few resources and capacity they have from highway and beach cleanups, to protecting beach access and water quality monitoring, anyone who enjoys Lane County beaches should give thanks to this dedicated group’s ongoing stewardship of these special places!
The Siuslaw Chapter is currently in an executive recruitment phase and looking for new leadership so now’s a great time to get involved! Interested in water quality, ocean protection and conservation efforts like marine reserves, recreation/beach access or simply beach cleanups in this region? These are the key priorities for the chapter and you may be a good fit for leadership!
Contact siuslaw@surfrider.org to learn more about getting involved.
Newport
The Newport Chapter boasts the most robust Blue Water Task Force program in the state. Between their two labs in Newport and Depoe Bay, this Chapter collects 300+ water samples at 18 sites every year.
Last year, they teamed up with their local 5th Grade Surfrider Club to pass a plastic bag ordinance in Newport. The Newport Chapter also hosts Oregon's only youth surf competition (which sadly, has been cancelled for 2020).
If you live in the Newport area, reach out to Stephanie about getting involved - volunteercoordinator@newport.surfrider.org
North Coast
The North Coast Chapter is our newest addition to the Oregon Chapter network. While newly established in 2019, many of our ocean-loving North Coast Chapter volunteers have been dedicated Surfrider talent for many years prior in one capacity or another. The chapter fills a local gap for a critical recreational area of the Oregon coast from Astoria to Tillamook County. This group runs the North Coast Blue Water Task Force Lab in partnership with Seaside High School, monitoring 10 sites from Seaside to Short Sands to provide important beach/ocean recreation and health information.
If you live on the northern Oregon coast, reach out to Victoria about getting involved - volunteercoordinator@northcoast-or.surfrider.org
Portland
The Portland Chapter is run by many dedicated volunteers - most of which are women. Our only inland chapter keeps their members connected to the ocean and keeps it clean upstream through monthly Wave Watch Wednesday gatherings at local surf shops and monthly urban cleanups.
This dedicated crew supports the North Coast Blue Water Task Force Lab, works diligently to fight plastic pollution through policy development and business partnerships, and hosts biannual stewardship events at Oswald West State Park.
In the past year, this chapter has won awards for social media management, environmental leadership, and being a strong partner.
If you live in the Portland area, reach out to Sarah about getting involved - volunteercoordinator@portland.surfrider.org
