Ahoy fellow ocean, wave, and beach lovers!
My name is Mitch Silverstein and I recently became our new California Senior Policy Coordinator. My main focus in this role will be to champion the Surfrider mission at the California Coastal Commission, a powerful state agency that oversees most - if not all - development along California’s magnificent coastline. I’ll also be supporting many of our priority statewide campaigns, as well as assisting California chapters in advocacy efforts to protect and enjoy their slice of California’s ocean, waves, and beaches for all.
I’m stepping into this new role from our San Diego County Chapter, where I was hired as Chapter Manager in 2018 and became Policy Coordinator in 2022. My goal is to engage and grow the voice of Surfrider’s California network at the Coastal Commission, at state agencies, and at local governments, all to ensure that our beaches are preserved and accessible for everyone!
Here’s a little bit about me:
What’s your favorite marine animal and why?
I love sea turtles! On the few occasions I’ve actually seen one, the timing felt serendipitous. Their grounded, serene energy inspires me to get out of my head and be present. They live long lives, go with the flow, travel far and wide, but never forget where they came from. Seems like good advice for how to approach life, especially in this fast-paced world we live in.
What have been the highlights of your career so far?
It’s definitely been my time at Surfrider. For me, there is nothing more rewarding than working with a group of people towards a common goal and achieving it. I’m particularly proud of my work to reduce plastic pollution in San Diego County. I played a role in many local policy victories to phase out harmful single-use plastic items like bags and polystyrene foam.
What are three fun facts about yourself?
I’ve been devouring science fiction since I was 12. I credit the genre as inspiring my environmentalism, because many of the stories were set in a future where humans had irreversibly poisoned our beautiful earth. We gotta make sure that doesn’t happen.
Birding is my latest hobby. On a whim, I downloaded the Merlin Bird ID app last year. Next thing you know, I’m taking binoculars with me everywhere I go. So far I’ve got 120 species on my “life list.” I used to pay no mind to the sights and sounds of birds all around me. But now I know who they are. It’s a fun way to connect with nature.
In high school and college, I fancied myself a rapper and used to perform at local events and house parties. It all culminated in my sophomore year of college, when my friends and I opened up for Sir Mix-a-Lot when he played at a local club. Pretty crazy.
Why is being a part of the Surfrider ocean conservation community important to you?
I was environmentally-minded for many years, but falling in love with the ocean through paddling is what called me to action. I’ll never forget paddling in the San Francisco Bay after it rained, and seeing a mile-long stream of floating trash and debris leading directly back to a storm drain outfall. I chose action instead of despair, which led me to Surfrider. I wanted to make a difference. But I also ended up finding community.
What are you most excited about in your role as California Policy Senior Coordinator?
I'm excited to play a bigger role in protecting this amazing stretch of coast we have in California! How we prepare - or don't prepare - our coast for climate change is of particular interest to me, since sea level rise poses an existential threat to the beaches we know and love. On a more personal note, I'm also looking forward to experiencing more of the California coast. The Coastal Commission meets in a different coastal location every month, so attending these meetings will give me a chance to explore new places along our coastline.