What is your current role with the Surfrider Foundation and when did you get involved?
I am the President and founder of the Annapolis High School Surfrider Student Club and I chose to get involved around three years ago. I have always been deeply passionate about our environment and specifically our ocean because I grew up swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, and surfing. Seeing pollution while spending time in the water doing these activities really flipped a switch for me, so I decided to try to make a change.
What are some environmental issues that you have witnessed in Annapolis and surrounding areas?
In my summer job as a paddleboard instructor, I notice a significant amount of plastic pollution where I live. But my student club has also had multiple beach cleanups at Masonville Cove, the nation’s first urban wildlife refuge, in Baltimore, MD. The beach there is almost entirely covered in microplastics, so much so that you cannot even see the sand underneath and piled on top are bottles, wrappers, plastic bags, and every kind of trash you can imagine. It’s deeply disappointing. Even if we cleaned this beach every day for a month there would still be a significant amount of pollution.
What Surfrider projects have you been involved with? How have these projects impacted your community?
I have participated in beach cleanups in Maryland with my club and local Annapolis Chapter and I also helped start Surfrider’s new Cape and Islands Chapter by participating in their cleanups and recruiting events in Nantucket. Over the last two years, my club’s beach cleanups have collected over 500 lbs of trash!
Not only have beach cleanups impacted my community by making the environment cleaner, they have also bonded our club members together in our passion to stop plastic pollution at the source. On that note, I have lobbied at the local, state, and federal level in favor of plastic pollution reduction laws. Currently, my club is partnering with the City of Annapolis to create an Ocean Friendly Garden downtown and contribute to the Annapolis City Dock Resilience Project.
In February of 2024 I spoke with federal representatives during Surfrider’s Recreational Ocean Hill Day about the importance of the BEACH Act and Plastic Pellet Pollution Reduction Act. Being able to share my firsthand experiences with seeing how much plastic pollution is in our ocean and on our beaches really let me speak from the heart on these topics. In July of 2024 I made a testimony at Annapolis City Hall and contributed to the passing of the Annapolis Bag Ban. Most recently, I participated in Surfrider’s Maryland Lobby day to gain support for the Maryland Bottle Bill and testified at the Maryland House of Delegates in support of this bill.
Do you have any personal experiences when the social justice and environmental movements have intersected?
When I made my testimony at Annapolis City Hall for the Annapolis Bag Ban, some of the representatives raised concerns about the financial impacts being prohibitive for some parts of our community. The reps then proposed changes to the bill that would create several exceptions.
I was nervous that it would not pass the vote, but one of the alderman proposed that the City increase funds for a free reusable bag distribution system focused on providing free bags to community members who might face this problem. In the end, the bill passed and our club participated in handing out the free bags provided by the city.
Our cleanups at Masonville Cove are also important because that space is a free wildlife access area adjacent to the City of Baltimore. Not all residents have access to outdoor recreation and helping to keep an area so close to the City trash-free and accessible is important so that everyone has a chance to share these outdoor experiences and encounters with nature.
What can Surfrider do to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment?
Surfrider can foster an inclusive and welcoming environment through not only their environmental efforts and activities but also the tremendous amount of support the foundation has for their volunteers and staff.
Surfrider has brought me closer to the environment and other volunteers that have the same passion as I do. Through my involvement with the organization, I have had a number of unforgettable opportunities, whether that was attending the Super Summit in October 2024, participating in a beach cleanup in my area, or talking to decision makers. I have been able to make new connections, learn about what I can do to take care of our ocean and beaches, and in the bigger picture, make a positive impact on the environment.
What is the most important thing you tell others about Surfrider?
The most important thing I tell others about Surfrider is the amount of volunteers and support the foundation has to help make the environment a better place for all people. Nationwide, Surfrider has 50,000 volunteers, and I feel very lucky to be one of them. Through Surfrider’s network, environmental stewardship take place all over the country.
What has been the highlight of your Surfrider experience?
The highlight of my Surfrider experience was attending the 2024 Surfrider Super Summit conference. I got to travel to California with my mom and attend various meetings to expand my knowledge of Surfrider’s mission and how I can do my best as a volunteer and club leader. I had the opportunity of hearing various guest speakers, and attending celebrations at this event. It made me realize I am a part of something bigger and felt energized meeting all of the volunteers and staff.
Thanks so much Gracyn! Is there anything else you would like to add?
Surfrider has made a huge impact on my life and I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of a community like this. I have had such an amazing time starting and running the Annapolis High School Club and watching it grow over the last two years. Surfrider has brought me so many opportunities and I am proud to be a volunteer doing my best to take care of our ocean, waves, and beaches.
