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• Clear the Path (Oahu, HI)
  Focus on better beach access through public education and legislation
• Challenge Beach Management Permitting Practices (Palm Beach County, FL)
  Working to stop harmful beach fill projects and educate the public on the fragility of beach ecosystems
• Save Gaviota Coast (Santa Barbara County, CA)
  Helping preserve the Gaviota Coast from development
• Sink the Breakwater (Long Beach, CA)
  Restore the natural flow of ocean currents, improve water quality and bring back waves

photo © Scott Werny

Campaign: Clear the Path – Beach Access

Surfrider Foundation Oahu Chapter, Hawaii

Through this campaign the Chapter is pushing for better beach access through public education and legislation. With continued construction and development all over the island, shoreline access is at risk. In addition to the Clear the Path campaign, the chapter helped form the Shoreline Access Coalition of Hawaii, a collaborative group of organizations focused on improving shoreline access around the state.

Campaign: Challenge Beach Management Permitting Practices: Stop Harmful Beach Fill Projects

Surfrider Foundation Palm Beach County Chapter, Florida

After successfully challenging a dredge-and-fill project permit under the “Reach 8” campaign, the chapter is addressing future beach fill projects. Beach filling is an act of “beach management” that does more harm than good to our coastlines by disrupting their naturally self-sustaining environments. Chapter focus is on 1) greater public outreach and education regarding the importance and fragility of the beach ecosystem and how it is threatened by these beach fill projects and 2) an improved permitting process for beach fill projects, one that is not dictated by the beach dredging lobby and incorporates an ecosystem-based management approach to permitting these projects, as opposed to the piecemeal permitting scheme now in place.

Campaign: Save Gaviota: Preserve the Gaviota Coast From Development

Surfrider Foundation Santa Barbara Chapter, California

The Gaviota Coast is the last undeveloped stretch of coastline in southern California that is facing an increasing threat of development. It is a rich and vital natural resource that should be preserved and protected for future generations to enjoy, but there are presently more than a dozen development projects being planned, the most significant of which (known as Naples) would permit 72 luxury homes, which would average 8,000 square feet in size. Since its inception, the Surfrider Foundation Santa Barbara Chapter has been a leader in local efforts to halt and/or limit further development of the Gaviota Coast.

Campaign: Sink the Breakwater – Restore the Shore

Surfrider Foundation Long Beach Chapter, California

The Surfrider Foundation Long Beach Chapter has been working for over a decade on their “Sink the Breakwater – Restore the Shore” campaign. The goal is to reconfigure the Long Beach Breakwater, which will restore the natural flow of ocean currents in Long Beach Harbor, improve water quality and bring back waves to Long Beach.

You can cast your vote once per day through August 15th (voting is reset at midnight EST) so keep your votes coming daily.

Barefoot is also throwing a Beach Cleanup event on August 15th with a little party afterwards.

Beach Rescue - Santa Barbara
Saturday, August 15, 2009 3 pm -
Celebration: 5:00 pm. -7:00 p.m.
South Lanai @ The Endless Summer Bar and Cafe
113 Harbor Way, Santa Barbara, CA

To attend this event, you must RSVP. Celebration is reserved for those who attend the clean-up. Entry is on a first come, first serve basis.

Basics: At a Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project event, we take a stand in the sand and make a lasting footprint by "heeling" beaches across the country. Together with the Surfrider Foundation, we are helping beaches stay "barefoot-friendly."

For each event, we target the needs of the local beach community. Sometimes we host a traditional beach cleanup, but other times we'll do a native planting or a dune restoration. No matter what, we thank volunteers 21+ afterwards with a celebration featuring live music, food and Barefoot Wine. We toast the efforts of these local communities who join us in raising awareness about the importance of having healthy beaches for generations to come.

Volunteers should arrive in light colored, comfortable clothing and protective gear like hats, sunglasses and, depending on the task they plan to tackle, closed toed shoes. We generally try to provide sunscreen and water, but it's always good to bring your own just in case.

You must be 21+ to participate in this event.

Labels: Beach, Fun, Gaviota, Santa Barbara, Surfrider, Wine, Winery