An interview with Alexis Henry, Surfrider Foundation's Communications Manager, Part 2

Part 2 of our interview with Alexis Henry, Surfrider Foundation’s Communication Manager

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I can't interview an organization about the ocean without mentioning the Gulf Oil Spill. Are there local Surfrider chapters on the ground? Is there a way that someone can get involved in the cleanup through a local Surfrider chapter? Is there any information that you think people should know about the spill that hasn't been out there?

Regarding our efforts in response to the gulf spill, our primary focus right now is addressing the near shore water quality issue. In addition to seeing massive amounts of oil and tar washing up, the Surfrider Foundation is getting reports of swimmers and bathers going into the water and experiencing moderate to severe eye irritation, nausea and skin rash. Keep in mind this is occurring in areas where no visible oil or tar is present.

The Surfrider Foundation is getting ready to launch a new testing initiative to try and determine if toxins are present in coastal waters throughout the Gulf, and subsequently track those findings and make them available to both the appropriate governmental agencies and the public at large. We see this as tremendously important work in that not only could this be the only way that some communities are able to secure response (re: impacts/losses to tourism, fishing, etc), but will aid future research/response on the effects to offshore ecosystems throughout the gulf.

We are also encouraging everyone to stay updated on the spill and what the Surfrider Foundation is doing by visiting our Not The Answer blog (www.nottheanswer.org) and signing up for our daily news list.

Are there any consistent misconceptions that people have about the health of the ocean's ecosystem?

I think one of the biggest misconceptions people have is that they can only affect the health of the ocean if they live directly near it. We need to change society’s mentality and encourage people to do their part to protect our oceans, no matter where they live, and educate them about watersheds and the water cycle…everything eventually ends up in the ocean.


Is there something that someone can do in their everyday life to contribute to ocean health?

Here are some simple things we can do today to help keep our oceans and coastlines clean and healthy:
• Pick up after your pet. When carried out to sea, pet wastes can spread diseases, which are devastating to seal and sea otter populations.
• Properly dispose of used motor oil. Never dump it in a drain or field. Additionally, if your car leaks oil, fix it! Each year over 16 million gallons of oil run into our oceans from our streets and driveways. Let’s keep that out of the ocean.
• When gardening, cut back on your use of fertilizers. Excess fertilizer that makes it into our oceans can cause harmful plankton blooms or red tides, which harm fish, dolphins and other sea life.
• Don’t forget, pick up your trash and try to recycle all your plastic containers. If we do our part, we can keep our beaches clean.

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To learn more about how you can help our oceans, please visit - www.surfrider.org

What You Can Do presents: Conserve Our Coasts

:TAKE ACTION HERE

Starring: Abby Lynn Mulay
Written by: Jessica Arinella and Julie Tortorici
Shot, Edited and Directed by: Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group

Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission

Statistics Provided by: The Surfrider Foundation


Special Thanks:
Alexis Henry and everyone at the Surfrider Foundation
Dennis Arinella

Keep Our Oceans Safe

Think there's nothing you can do to Keep Our Oceans Safe in 1 Minute?

Starring - Damion Fitz
Written by -  Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group

Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission

Statistical Information Provided by: The Surfrider Foundation, www.surfrider.org

Special Thanks: Alexis Henry and everyone at the Surfrider Foundation, and Dennis Arinella

For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com

Ocean Conservation

Think there's nothing you can do to preserve our Oceans in 1 Minute?

Starring - Wilton Yeung
Written by -  Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group

Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission

Statistical Information Provided by: The Surfrider Foundation, www.surfrider.org

Special Thanks: Alexis Henry and everyone at the Surfrider Foundation, and Dennis Arinella

For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com

An Interview with Alexis Henry, Surfrider Foundation's Communications Manager, Part 1

The Surfrider Foundation has provided “What You Can Do” with a wealth of information regarding ocean health, preservation and programs that people participate in to get involved. Recently, we also had the opportunity to interview Alex Henry, Surfrider Foundation’s Communication Manager. Please see Part 1 of our interview below.

The Surfrider Foundation's website seems to reference being a grassroots organization often. How has this helped Surfrider thrive as much as it has?

If it weren’t for our chapters and volunteers, we would not be the organization we are today. The Surfrider Foundation was founded by a handful of surfers 26 years ago, and the grassroots mentality that was in place then, is still here. Now, we have 73 Chapters in the United States and over 50,000 members, and our Chapters and volunteers who dedicate their time to protect our oceans, waves and beaches carry out the majority of our campaign work.

Do the ocean issues that each Surfrider chapter face vary greatly from place to place, or are the main issues the same?

Ocean issues that our Chapters face vary from place to place. However, all campaigns that our Chapters decide to take on fall into one of our four initiatives: Clean Water, Open Access, Beach Preservation, and the Protection of Waves and Nearshore Ecosystems (Special Places).

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To learn more about how you can help our oceans, please visit - www.surfrider.org

Ocean Friendly Garden

Think there's nothing you can do to Protect our Oceans in 1 Minute?

Starring - Julie Tortorici
Written by -  Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group

Statistical Information Provided by: The Surfrider Foundation, www.surfrider.org

Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission

Special Thanks: Alexis Henry and everyone at the Surfrider Foundation, and Dennis Arinella

For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com

Ban the Bag

Think there's nothing you can do to Protect our Oceans in 1 Minute?

Starring - Maria Christina Perry
Written by -  Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group

Statistical Information Provided by: The Surfrider Foundation, www.surfrider.org

Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission

Special Thanks: Alexis Henry and everyone at the Surfrider Foundation, and Dennis Arinella

For more information, please visit - www.whatyoucando365.com