Green Org

Making Waves for Ocean Awareness. Thirty years ago, a small group of citizens joined together to resist offshore oil drilling in Central Coast waters. They won, and Save Our Shores was born. Today Save Our Shores still fights to keep oil out of our oceans—only now the petroleum-based threat comes from plastics, styrofoam and other trash that imperils fish, birds and marine mammals.

Preserving the World's Surf Breaks, One Wave at a Time. It may not be immediately obvious, but waves are a precious natural resource: a good surf break stimulates ocean awareness for those who surf, and also creates a unique attraction for the local economy. Alas, some of the world’s best breaks have vanished forever due to coastal development.

Where Surfing Meets Politics. On a mission to protect oceans, surf breaks and beaches, the Surfrider Foundation has gotten more than just its feet wet since 1984. Over the years they've led political campaigns to resist offshore drilling, stop seismic surveys that harm marine life and urged Congress not to cut funding for water quality monitoring on beaches nationwide.

Rehabilitating the Wild Critters of Big Sur. Condors, with their incredible 9-foot wingspans, were all but extinct by 1987, their decline largely due to electric power lines, lead poisoning from eating the bullet casings found in unclaimed game birds, and habitat loss. The Ventana Wildlife Society is the organization responsible for bringing them back.