Earth Month is always one of the busiest and most impactful times of year for Surfrider chapters, and this April was no exception. From beach cleanups and community events to statewide and federal advocacy efforts, volunteers showed up throughout the month to support and protect our coasts and oceans.
On April 28, 300 activists from across the state gathered in Sacramento for the 21st annual California Ocean Day, where teams attended lobby meetings with State representatives to advocate for legislation that protects our coasts and oceans. See what we advocated for here!
Later that same week, 180 volunteers from across the network participated in Surfrider's 11th Coastal Recreational Hill Day, bringing those conversations to the federal level through meetings with members of Congress. Once again, Hill Day 2026 was a major success, mobilizing a vast network of ocean users from all U.S. coastlines to advocate for critical and urgent issues. Click here to take action today and protect our ocean, waves, and beaches.
Read on for highlights from our chapters’ Earth Month activities across the state:
The San Diego Chapter celebrated the hard work and dedication of the Tijuana River Coalition, as the County of San Diego and Supervisor Aguirre recognized the coalition with a proclamation and declared April 21st to be Tijuana River Coalition Day in San Diego County! Surfrider proudly co-convenes the coalition that works to advance solutions to one of the most significant public health and environmental justice crises in the U.S. Click here to learn more and sign the petition asking State legislators to take action!
The South OC Chapter hosted an Earth Day social in South Laguna, followed by a beach cleanup at Main Beach in Laguna in partnership with the Laguna Beach Surf Club.
The North OC Chapter got volunteers back in their adopted section of the Santa Ana River for the first time in 6 months for a river cleanup, removing 972 lbs of trash from the riparian habitat!
The South Bay Chapter collaborated with the Gardena Willows Wetlands Preserve to host a wetland cleanup, removing over 90 lbs of debris from this rare urban wetland. The chapter recently opened a second Blue Water Task Force lab at the wetlands and is also engaging volunteers in the Ocean Friendly Gardens program, showing how native plants can improve water quality.
The Los Angeles Chapter has been busy organizing in opposition to a Surfrider California priority bill, AB 1740, which would create broad Coastal Act exemptions for the City of Santa Monica, bypassing environmental review and public input that are critical components of the Coastal Development Permit process.
Click here to read the Ventura County Chapter April program updates about four beach cleanups, a dune restoration event, and water quality testing. They hosted a chapter meeting focused on our Drilling Is Killing campaign to stop new offshore oil drilling.
The Santa Barbara County Chapter hosted a Volunteer Open House in April, along with a chapter meeting highlighting the Gaviota Coast Conservancy. The chapter is busy planning for the Paddle Out To Protect Our Coast on May 17th at Refugio and welcomes everyone to attend.
The San Luis Obispo County Chapter continues to advocate for its recently launched program, Oceano Vehicle Free Beach. Check out their web page and sign the petition!
The Monterey County Chapter was busy as usual in April. Click here to read their recap, including beach cleanups and water quality testing results.
The Santa Cruz County Chapter had a nice variety of events and activities in April. April 5 Main Beach cleanup: 20 volunteers, 55.8 lbs of trash collected. Five tabling events: San Lorenzo River Symposium, Downtown Santa Cruz Earth Day, Youth for Environmental Action Festival, LogJam, Spring into Green. Rio Del Mar Elementary cleanup: 43.5 lbs collected (used our cleanup gear). T-shirt design competition completed with strong participation; winning design selected, shirts expected this summer. Q1 Beach Guardian Program stats: 11 active participants, 21 monitoring sessions, and coverage across 11 beaches. New Beach Guardian incentive program launched (buckets, grabbers, and t-shirts based on participation) The Beyond Balloon campaign launched in April.
The San Mateo County Chapter had a busy month tabling at the annual EcoFest event in Pacifica where they highlighted their Blue Water Task Force efforts, kept things fun with an Earth Day Cleanup featuring tasty food from Ocean Friendly Restaurant, San Benito House, and honored Rob “Birdlegs” Caughlan (the first Surfrider President and longtime ocean champion) at a paddle out and celebration of life with his family and community.
The San Francisco Chapter kept busy with a Chapter Meeting celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Coastal Act, seven cleanups, including their annual community Earth Day Cleanup, a Dune Restoration event, and water quality testing. Check out San Francisco’s Earth Month recap here!
The Marin County Chapter participated in both Hill Day and Ocean Day, helped clean up our coast with an Earth Day Cleanup, and signed up their first Ocean Friendly Hotel and added a new Ocean Friendly Restaurant!
The Sonoma Coast Chapter held its first movie and speaker night at the SPARQ Center at Piner High School, which houses a domed theater for immersive viewing. The event featured the film "Expedition Reef" from the California Academy of Sciences. Followed by a presentation and Q&A with marine scientist and author Dr. Tessa Hill from UC Davis & Bodega Marine Lab.
The Humboldt Chapter hosted an Ocean Night event that featured “Sequoias of the Sea”, a film about kelp along the California coast, followed by a Q&A and a panel on what it takes to bring these underwater forests back. The chapter also held an Eco Trivia Night as part of a pints for nonprofits fundraiser and held an Earth Day cleanup.
We’re still riding the energy and inspiration from an incredible Earth Month. Feeling inspired? Find your nearest Surfrider chapter to get involved and protect what you love 🌊❤️