Volunteer Environmental Heroes

Surfrider has benefited from the initiative and efforts of a large number of volunteers in the crusade to protect our oceans, waves, beaches and marine life from the devastating damage by individual and commercial pollution. Every volunteer deserves to be recognized for their time and energy towards beach and watershed cleanups, water quality monitoring, campaigning to raise public awareness of water re-use, ocean-friendly gardens, point-source pollution, water treatment, plastic alternatives, beach smoking, or numerous other activities that affect watersheds, beaches, and the marine environment. And yet amidst all these volunteers, there is some who standout as volunteer environmental heroes.

Here are a few volunteer environmental heroes, who have each in their own way, shined, sparkled, and unabashedly spoke out protecting our oceans, waves, and beaches:

Dave Yapo, Surfrider Core Volunteer

Sara Adams, Surfrider Beach Clean-up Coordinator
(photo coming soon)

Cobi Emery, Originator of Pick-up-3 Environmental Cleanup campaign.
(photo coming soon)

Jon Severino, Surfrider Core Volunteer
(photo coming soon)

Marty Benson – Core Volunteer, City Monitor
[View Marty's video]

Alan Honadle, Advisory Committee member
(photo coming soon)

History has shown that a few individuals can have a profound effect on events because they are willing to put themselves at critical places at critical times. Remember the tale of the 300 Spartans who protected against enormous odds a narrow gateway to their homeland? Ultimately, their dedication and sacrifice preserved their valued way of life. Protecting the marine environment against the onslaught of disposable commercial goods seems insurmountable at times. However, those willing to attack the critical sources of pollution at watersheds and beaches can overcome the threat by their hands-on actions and the multiplier effect of their example.

The initiative, energy, and consistency of volunteer environmental heroes counters the increased disposable plastics, e-waste, and other junk polluting our oceans. A qualifying Hui member will have demonstrated these same positive qualities in meeting the HUI300 Challenge!