 | |
| Founded | 1984 (41 years ago) (1984)[1] |
|---|---|
| Founder | Glenn Hening, Chris Blakely, Lance Carson, and Tom Pratt[1] |
| Type | Social welfare organization |
| 95-3941826 | |
| Legal status | 501(c)(3) organization |
| Focus | Environmental activism |
| Headquarters | 942 Calle Negocio, Suite 350 |
| Location | |
Area served | International |
| Methods | local activist network, litigation, research |
Key people | Chad Nelsen, CEO |
| Revenue | $12,434,931[2] (2022) |
| Expenses | $11,651,732[2] (2022) |
| Employees | 83 (2022)[3] |
| Volunteers | ~100,000 (2022)[3] |
| Website | www |
TheSurfrider Foundation is aU.S.501(c)(3) non-profit environmental organization that works to protect and preserve the world's oceans, waves and beaches.[4] It focuses on plastic reduction,water quality, beach access,beach and surf spot preservation, and sustainingmarine andcoastal ecosystems.
Headquartered inSan Clemente, California, the Surfrider Foundation maintains a small staff, which work to support the organization's network of 200+grassroots volunteer-led chapters and student clubs.[5] The current CEO is Chad Nelsen.[1]
The Surfrider Foundation was started inMalibu, California, in 1984 by a handful ofsurfers to protest threats to their localsurf break at Malibu Point. The organization continued on for several years as a loose advocacy group until 1991, when the first chapters were founded.
The foundation was a key plaintiff in the battle to openMartin's Beach inSan Mateo County, California.[6] The case resolved in 2018, when theUnited States Supreme Court rejectedVinod Khosla's appeal.[7]
Starting in 2005, The Surfrider Foundation was one of several environmental organizations that led efforts to prevent a 6-lane toll road that would have cut throughSan Onofre State Beach, the Donna O'Neil Land Conservancy, sacred sites of theAcjachemen and endanger San Mateo Creek Watershed. On September 25, 2020, California governorGavin Newsom signed AB1426 prohibiting the development of any roadway(s) that might impact or encroach upon the state beach, ending the decades long battle.[8][better source needed]
In 2024, Surfrider opposed legislation that would reduce the ability of theCalifornia Coastal Commission to block housing in already urbanized parts of the coastal zone.[9]
In 2024, Surfrider called for the closure of thePacific Surfliner rail that runs adjacent to theSan Clemente shoreline.[10] Surfrider said that the rail service had an adverse environmental impact and should be subjected to a full environmental impact study.[10]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
