In this episode, meet Dr. Chad Nelsen, CEO of the Surfrider Foundation, a grassroots organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the world's oceans and beaches. 

“There's a horrifying statistic that the ocean is gonna have more plastic than fish in it by 2050.” - Dr. Chad Nelsen, CEO of the Surfrider Foundation

Dr. Nelsen, who grew up in a coastal community and turned his passion for surfing and the environment into a career, shares his journey from surf enthusiast to environmental activist. 

The Surfrider Foundation, which started 30 years ago with just four surfers in Malibu, California, now boasts 200 chapters nationwide. Their initiatives include beach cleanups that remove hundreds of thousands of pounds of trash annually, grading coastal states on their environmental protection efforts, and advocating for water conservation and clean access to beaches.

“Surfrider was founded by surfers concerned with the environmental impact of coastal development near their favorite surf break, Surfrider Beach in Malibu. They were channeling their love of surfing and their desire to protect one of the most beautiful surf spots in our country into a platform for grassroots campaigns that many communities use to save their local surf break and make sure that local beaches are accessible and clean for swimming.” Ryan Growney, Co-Founder of Service Academy

Dr. Nelsen and the Surfrider Foundation have achieved significant wins, such as the second-largest clean water lawsuit in the U.S., preventing irresponsible luxury developments, and leading science-driven anti-plastic projects. More recently, they thwarted a threat of offshore drilling off the Atlantic coast in a joint effort with chapters from Florida to New York.

“The local victories are all really adding up to more than just those individual wins.” - Thomas Growney, Co-Founder of Service Academy

Despite the stereotypical perception of surfers as apolitical, the Surfrider Foundation, led by surf enthusiasts, proves that communities can make a significant impact on the environment. Through local victories, they're gradually addressing broader issues like climate change and pollution, proving that every small step makes a difference.

Dr. Nelsen's and the Surfrider Foundation’s dedication and achievements have profoundly motivated Ryan and Thomas from Service Academy. They are driven to inspire others to pool their resources, knowledge, and enthusiasm to effect meaningful change within their local communities. By leveraging local power structures to effect this change, they create a learning model that can be replicated in other places. Ultimately, this series of local transformations can lead to significant, systematic change on a broader scale. 

If systemic involvement in community service and civic activities, including local environmental assets, becomes the answer to the threats plaguing our communities today, then programs encouraging youth service, and the youth that participate, stand to gain considerably. In fact, Thomas & Ryan believe such programs will be at the forefront of this powerful grassroots community effort.

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