A Basic Guide to Getting Involved In Protecting Your Ocean

New Year’s resolutions are easy for surfers. Resolve to do more to clean up and protect the ocean. There is a certain level of logic involved in why surfers should be actively involved with cleaning up and protecting the ocean and environment. We spend so much time immersed in the ocean that when there is something wrong with the water, it inevitably affects us.
Not only is the quality of water important to maintain, but also what most people may not realize is that development of buildings on the coast and the pavement of inland areas has, over time, affected the quality of our beaches and surf. By damning up rivers and paving over the coastal bluffs people have disrupted the natural flow of sediment that makes wide beaches and quality waves.
So if you care about your own health and the quality of the waves, you should be doing all you can to protect the Ocean.  

The Gift of Time
One of the most important things you can do is to throw down the 15 to 30 bucks it takes to become a member of an environmental organization so the people who run the group can do their job. But there is so much more you can do than just be a member. All you have to do take a little time and care.
San Diego has several organizations that you can become involved in to make a positive difference in the Ocean. Below are a few that I recommend you are looking to fulfill your New Year’s resolution.

Surfrider Foundation
Mission: The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world's oceans, waves and beaches for all people, through conservation, activism, research and education. A few things that Surfrider San Diego County does that you can get involved in are beach cleanups, water quality testing and becoming involved in fighting environmentally damaging developments. www.surfridersd.org

WiLDCOAST
Mission: WiLDCOAST protects and preserves coastal ecosystems and wildlife in the Californias and Latin America by building grassroots support, conducting media campaigns and establishing protected areas. Volunteers do things like monitor cross-border water quality and are involved in high profile media campaigns to stop turtle consumption and destructive coastal developments.

Save the Waves
Mission: Save the Waves is an environmental coalition dedicated to preserving the world's surf spots. Their goal is to preserve and protect the best surfing locations on the planet and to educate the public about their value. Save the Waves works in partnership with local communities, foreign governments, and other conservation groups to prevent coastal development from entering the surf zone. Becoming a member and signing petitions are the basis of this organization, which is easy for any surfer to do. www.savethewaves.org

Surf Aid International
Mission: The mission of SurfAid International, a non-profit humanitarian aid organization, is to improve the health of people living in isolated regions connected to us through surfing. Due to the highly specialized skills required for the work they do, raising money is the most important thing people like you and I can for Surf Aid International.

San Diego Baykeeper
Mission: San Diego Coastkeeper protects the region’s bays, beaches, watersheds and ocean for the people and wildlife that depend on them. They balance community outreach, education, and advocacy to promote stewardship of clean water and a healthy coastal ecosystem. San Diego Baykeeper works closely with Surfrider Foundation to do beach cleanups, monitor water quality and perform kelp restoration. http://www.sdbaykeeper.org/

Pro Peninsula
Mission: Pro Peninsula is a U.S. based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering communities and organizations on the Baja California peninsula to protect and preserve their environment. Pro Peninsula envisions the creation of a network of strong and effective environmental organizations backed by an educated and active public working towards the common goal of environmental preservation. http://www.propeninsula.org/

Care or Get Out
A new year brings a fresh start for everyone. Surfers have the opportunity to give back to the ocean from which they take so much enjoyment. Caring for the environment is much easier than you might think and doing something about it is at the core of what it means to be a surfer. Otherwise you are just another person who just happens to put on a wetsuit.
This New Year’s take the time for your Mother Ocean.