GIVING BACK: BEACH CLEANUPS

Title: Giving Back: Beach Cleanups 

Image: Ryo Kubota

 There are two things an avid surfer needs: one is good waves, and the other is clean oceans and beaches. Two organizations have dedicated their time and energy to satisfy at least one of these needs. We will have to leave the good waves to someone else. 

Surfrider Foundation: Celebrating over twenty-five years of success this year, the Surfrider Foundation is a nonprofit, grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world's oceans, waves, and beaches. Originally founded in 1984 by a handful of surfers in Malibu, California, the Surfrider Foundation has expanded globally to include over fifty thousand members and ninety local chapters. With several hundred coastal victories under its belt, the Surfrider Foundation has become the world’s leading nongovernmental organization dedicated to the protection of our planet’s coastlines.

B.E.A.C.H: Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawai`i (B.E.A.C.H.) is a nonprofit, volunteer organization concerned with bringing awareness and solutions to the problem of marine debris and litter on Hawai`i’s beaches.  B.E.A.C.H. organizes litter-prevention campaigns, presentations to schools and community organizations, and beach cleanups in order to educate the community about the need to care for Hawai`i’s beaches, coastlines, and marine life.

Get involved:

Surfrider Foundation O‘ahu Beach Cleanups (www.surfrider.org/Oahu)

                When: Sunday, August 30, 2009 (2:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.)

                Where: Sand Island

                When: Saturday, September 19, 2009 (9:00 a.m.)

                Where: Maunalua Bay

Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawai`i (B.E.A.C.H.)  (www.b-e-a-c-h.org)

                When: Saturday, September 5, 2009 (8:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.)

                Where: Kahuku Beach