The more, the merrier so bring your crew!

Download a PDF of our events through November!

PLEASE JOIN US for an extra special October Meeting with a slight change of venue. We will be welcoming the 5 Gyres Team to Boston where they are kicking off their “Last Straw Plastic Pollution Solutions Bike Tour”!

More info:
The 5 Gyres Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating the accumulation of plastic pollution in the five subtropical ocean gyres, is launching THE LAST STRAW Plastic Pollution Solutions Biking Tour in Boston on WED, OCT 3rd at 730PM at the Beacon Hill Friend House
(http://www.bhfh.org/). Thank you Beacon Hill Friend House for hosting!

The 5 Gyres team will give a presentation on research that has shown plastic pollution to be throughout all five main oceans and solutions to the plastic pollution. The team will also show compelling pictures and videos of their voyages aboard a 72-foot sailboat conducting research throughout our oceans. They will share personal stories and discuss how we can work to stop the flow of plastic into the sea.

Free and Open to the Public.

For more information: http://5gyres.org/whats_happening_now/blog

And please take the 5 Gyres Plastic Solutions Challenge:
http://5gyres.org/5For

Download the Official Press Release.

Boston, MA, September 14, 2012 – Surfrider Foundation Massachusetts Chapter is a new nonprofit partner of 1% for the Planet, an alliance of over 1,380 member companies in 43 countries that give one percent of revenues to environmental causes.

Surfrider MA is now eligible to receive donations from 1% member companies, placing them among a diverse, global network of environmental organizations. 1% member businesses fuel this non-profit network through their annual contributions, which totaled over $22 million in 2010. Partnership with 1% greatly expands the potential pool of funding to which Surfrider MA can look to for support.

Surfrider MA was founded in 1996. We are an all-volunteer, national grassroots environmental organization dedicated to protecting our beaches and oceans. Locally, the Massachusetts chapter works to educate the public on ways to Rise Above Plastics by reducing usage of single-use plastics, and advocates expanded state recycling laws.

Over 2,300 non-profits worldwide are included in the 1% network, and over $70 million has been funneled to its nonprofit partners to date. “The intent of 1% for the Planet is to help fund these diverse environmental organizations so that collectively they can be a more powerful force in solving the world’s problems,” Yvon Chouinard, founder of 1% for the Planet.

“Surfrider Foundation is the only 1% for the Planet nonprofit that has a robust international network with a mission that touches the lives of everyone. Locally, Surfrider MA Chapter is applying global problems to local resources – beaches we use, and beaches the contributors will use. If everyone took care of their own backyard we would all be ok. That’s what WE are doing and what we are spreading the word about. Our chapter joins forces with Surfrider National as an entity fighting for the sustaining source of life on this planet: clean water, access and dissemination of facts. Member companies who choose to give their 1% to Surfrider MA will be giving to an environmental organization that benefits 100% of the people and the planet – locally and nationally.”

About 1% for the Planet

Started in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard, founder and owner of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, owner of Blue Ribbon Flies, 1% for the Planet is a growing global movement of over 1,350 member companies in 43 countries that donate one percent of their sales to environmental organizations worldwide. Each day, more than one new business joins the 1% for the Planet movement. As a network, the 1% community has become a frontrunner in funding the work of environmental groups around the world. To learn more about 1% go to: www.onepercentfortheplanet.org

About Surfrider Foundation Massachusetts Chapter

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.

For more information, contact:
Melody Badgett, 1% for the Planet
melody@onepercentfortheplanet.org
+1 (802) 496-5408

Surfrider MA
massachusetts@surfrider.org

We had a bit of trouble finding the organized cleanup event so we just had our own. Good surfers are always armed with the tools to tend to our beaches and this is one of our fave surf spots. Unfortunately we had no trouble finding trash.

Our tally was at about:
- 40 cigarette butts
- 12 beer cans
- 10 juice box drink straw wrappers
- 5 water/energy/juice/tea bottles
- 12 pieces of nylon rope
- 5 various snack wrappers
- 12 plastic bottle caps
- 5 plastic straws
- 2 plastic bags
- 40 small pieces of degraded plastic
- 8 lobster rubberbands
- 4 bags of dog crap
- 1 Hooksett Sewer Disc
- 3 unmentionables.

We also found another gnarly jellyfish… looked but did not touch.

Browse photos:

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Another AMAZING year with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Mass Bay, Brickhouse Boards, the US Coast Guard and Surfrider MA. We taught kids to surf, had some quality ocean education time and plenty of time for the volunteers to play, too. Thanks to everyone who made it out to this fun event!

Check out what a couple of the Big Brothers sent us in the week following S.T.O.K.E.E.:

I just wanted to send a quick note to say “Thanks!” for the Surfrider event with BBBSMB this past Sunday at Nahant Beach. My Little Brother had a blast this year, as he did last year. He was asking me about this event back in June, so I know he had a great time last year as well. I appreciate all the planning and work and time that went into the event. Please tell all the others as well. Everyone in the organization was so nice. Thanks!
~ Halong

Hi. Just wanted to say a quick thanks for the event this weekend. I’ve been matched for three years and my little and I both agreed that the Surfrider event was THE BEST we’ve ever been to! Thanks so much for taking the time and making our weekend!
~ Steve

Browse photos from the event. Photos graciously provided by various Surfrider MA photographers!:

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BIG THANKS to all the awesome Surfriders who made it out to our annual summer fundraiser on July 10th! Extra thanks again to all of our raffle contributors, too, including: Ace Wheelworks, Aina Clothing, Boston Massage Associates, Flatbread Somerville, Patagonia Boston and Special J!

Check out photos from the event:

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As some readers may have heard, the MA Bottle Bill Amendment came close to passing after it was added to the recent Jobs Bill in the Senate. Unfortunately, it was cut on Monday, July 30th in Joint Conference Committee due to strong opposition in the House. This is despite having support of 77% of the public, 208 cities and towns, Governor Patrick, and the majority of legislators.

The expansion to the 31-year-old bill would have added water, juices, iced tea and sports drinks to the list of containers currently included in the 5-cent bottle deposit.

“Sadly it’s becoming clearer that big business is dictating how Beacon Hill votes. The bottlers and other big beverage interests trumped the people, the environment and the facts on this one.” ~ James McCaffrey of the Sierra Club

“Instead of Massachusetts taking home the gold medal, by disqualifying the public’s opinion, the legislature gives us more litter, more waste, and less recycling.” ~ Janet Domenitz of MASSPIRG

Surfrider MA Chapter has been and continues to be a supporter of the expansion of Massachusetts’ most effective recycling program. We won’t give up.

Back in 1982, MASSPIRG led the fight to pass the original Bottle Bill. That just happens to be the same year this song hit the radio waves:

We are also planning to have a raffle at this event. If you are interested in donating to the cause, please contact us at: Massachusetts@surfrider.org

Thanks all… hope to sea you there!!!

Check out photos from last year:

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We found about 15 bags worth of plastic, glass, cigarette butts and other debris. During the clean up we also piqued the interest of many beachgoers who were interested in learning about the Surfrider Organization. There was an amazing after-party at Cape Ann Brewing Company!

tHanKs eVeRyOne!

Check out more images from this fun event:

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Get involved with Surfrider Massachusetts!

- Download out our full event schedule through November 2012

- Interested in volunteering at a future event? Cool! We would love to hear from you. Please email us at: Massachusetts@surfrider.org

In short, World Oceans Day at the New England Aquarium was awesome. Just like in 2011, the event was well attended and the kids (tons of them!!!) were eager to see what we were promoting: Caring for our oceans and earth by reducing our plastic footprint, recycling, conserving water, tending to the earth, volunteering and the general importance of living sustainably.

We engaged the kids (and adults!) in a game that we created last year for this event. It was a perfect way to get the key points across. It was a lot of work to keep it moving all day and to match the energy of the awesome kids that we had at our booth but our fearless volunteers shined bright!

Extra special thanks to Mike M., Mary B., Courtney H. and Jon W. for their huge volunteer effort on Sunday.

Get involved with Surfrider Massachusetts!

- Download out our full event schedule through November 2012

- Drop by a chapter meeting on the first Wednesday of every month. Our June 6th meeting is going to be more of a social get together at Russell House Tavern! Check out full details here!

- Interested in volunteering at a future event? Cool! We would love to hear from you. Please email us at: Massachusetts@surfrider.org

Check out more images from this fun event:

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