We are ecstatic to welcome Jennifer Savage as the Surfrider Foundation's California Policy Associate Director!
Jennifer Savage has been a familiar face at Surfrider since first joining as a volunteer and helping rebuild the Humboldt Chapter in 2008. A small-town reporter and radio DJ at the time, Jennifer shifted into policy work after being hired by Ocean Conservancy to work on the Marine Life Protection Act on California’s North Coast. Although she continues to dabble in freelance writing, she’s never looked back. In 2015, Jennifer joined Surfrider’s team as California Policy Manager, was hired as Senior Manager of the Plastic Pollution Initiative in 2022, and has now returned to her California roots in the new position of California Policy Associate Director. She’s thrilled to bring her expertise and passion for teamwork to develop and implement a strategic vision for the state.
Now, some random facts about Jen! (Please note: One “n”! She will grit her teeth and ignore the error if you refer to her as “Jenn,” but that is not the correct spelling! “Jen” or “Jennifer” or even “Savage” will do just fine.)
What’s your favorite marine animal and why?
I certainly can’t choose a favorite! I’ve been awed by breaching humpback whales, shared waves with dolphins, marveled at nudibranchs and anemones, paddled alongside sea turtles and seals, paddled away (very quickly) from sea lions, dove among clownfish and nurse sharks, and stared in amazement at a mola mola paddling next to a boat full of Surfrider staff. But if I were to get a tattoo of a marine animal, it would be the darling, elegant, subtly stunning leafy sea dragon.
What have been the highlights of your career so far?
Every time we’ve convinced the Coastal Commission to prioritize protection of the public’s beach over private property. Expanding Surfrider’s beach access efforts to include the intangible barriers of systemic exclusion in addition to the more overt physical ones. Successfully fighting to keep Martins Beach open to the public despite efforts by its billionaire owner to close it. Shutting down the last remaining coastal sand mine in California. Speaking at the Global Wave Conference from a stage in Nazare, Portugal, and at the International Marine Debris Conference in Busan, Republic of Korea. Forming relationships and friendships with Surfrider activists, coworkers, and colleagues to fight the good fight and have fun while doing it.
What are three fun facts about yourself?
- I’ve had a long side hustle as an advice columnist!
- I make excellent cookies and other baked delights.
- I’m a compulsive teller of bad jokes (this may or may not be a “fun” fact depending on your sense of humor).
Why is being a part of the Surfrider ocean conservation community important to you?
I actually wrote a whole blog post about how I ended up in Surfrider’s ocean conservation community. The story involves learning to surf at age 30, a political science class at a community college, and the loss of dear mentor, all of which combined into motivation to carry on a legacy, one that has absorbed my own as part of it.
What are you most excited about in your role as the California Policy Associate Director?
Saving California’s beaches, up to 70 percent of which are predicted to disappear by 2100! And making sure everyone – everyone! – gets to find the joy and solace a day at the ocean provides. That means not only access, but clean water, healthy beaches and a protected ocean, all free of plastic pollution. The opportunity to achieve this by supporting our incredible California staff and hundreds of volunteers inspires me every day.