Surfrider Foundation's CEO, Chad Nelsen, joins Andrew Lewin to celebrate the organization's 40th anniversary. They dive into the origins of Surfrider, which began as a grassroots movement by surfers concerned about the health of their beloved coastlines.
Chad shares his incredible journey from intern to CEO over nearly three decades, highlighting the evolution of Surfrider into a powerful network of over 200 chapters and 100,000 volunteers dedicated to ocean conservation. The conversation covers the challenges and triumphs of grassroots organizing, the importance of community engagement, and the significant wins Surfrider has achieved, including landmark legal victories and successful advocacy campaigns.
Listeners will learn about Surfrider's five key focus areas: clean water, beach access, plastic pollution, coastal climate issues, and ocean conservation. Chad also discusses innovative programs like Ocean-Friendly Restaurants and the Blue Water Task Force, which empower local communities to take action.
Join us for an inspiring discussion on how individuals can make a difference in ocean conservation and the importance of community in tackling environmental challenges.
Volunteer for Surfrider: https://volunteer.surfrider.org/
Website: https://www.surfrider.org/
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