The Northwest Straits Chapter (NWS) participates in Blue Water Task Force and has tested water quality at Larrabee State Park for over 10 years. The chapter and Western Washington University students also take park visitors on educational beach walks teaching them about Washington marine life. You can see how they helped solve the mystery of one dirty beach at this article. The chapter has also received recent funding to provide trash and recycling at Whirlwind beach as well as develop a longer term stewardship program at this local kite boarding beach. For more information contact Chapter Chair Eleanor Hines.
The Chapter also works in partnership with the Western Washington University Surfrider club that helps locate interns for the Larabee State Park Stewardship Park, promote the organization on campus, and assist in beach cleanups in locations around the Bellingham area. Please contact the club for information on upcoming events and more.
The Seattle Chapter continues to be involved with a Hold On To Your Butt (HOTYB) program to reduce cigarette litter on local streets, beaches, and other sources that allow them to get into our waters. The chapter has recently begun installing Surfrider cigarette ash cans at Alki beach with hopes of expanding the program with local businesses, community groups, and the city of Seattle.
Additionally, the chapter conducts beach cleanups in the Seattle area and often times at the Jetty in Westport. Recent beach cleanups have taken place at Alki Beach, Juanita Beach in Kirkland, Westhaven State Park, and Golden Gardens. For more information, contact Chapter Chair Johan.
The South Sound Chapter is very engaged in local water quality testing, monthly beach cleanups, hosting speakers series, and is currently working with the city on a reusable bag inactive similar to other Washington cities such as Bellingham, Port Townsend, and several others.
For more information on water quality testing and how to get involved please contact Ben. We currently have six regular sample sites in the South Sound and are looking to expand to more. For general inquiries, questions about the bag initiative, beach cleanups, or speaker series, please contact the chapter and a local member will make sure to follow-up with you.
The Olympic Peninsula Chapter supports their local beaches with beach cleanups, both remote and at public locations. Also, they provide portable toilets at locations frequented by surfers. The chapter is always welcoming of new members and new ideas and provides several opportunities throughout the year to get outside and involved through their stewardship program on a property near Port Angeles.
The chapter has also been engaged with the city of Port Angeles as they work towards better solutions regarding the city’s landfill. Wave action has eroded much of the bluff the landfill sits on and is causing concerns of environmental ramifications. To get involved with the OPC you can contact them by clicking here.
The Olympia Chapter works with various partners on coastal beach cleanups as well as conducts local water quality testing at Priest Point Park in Olympia. Since re-organizing in March of 2015 the chapter has seen significant growth and success in a short time. For more information on meeting times, cleanups, or other volunteer opportunities, please contact the chapter.