Activist spotlight: Amy Blakeman
Q: What is your current role with the Surfrider Foundation?Currently I am the Data Lead and I’m involved with writing the biannual reports and beach cleans.
Q: Why and when did you get involved with the Surfrider Foundation?
My first experience with surfrider was a beach clean in Victoria prior to covid happening while I was studying marine biology at the University of Victoria. After graduating I moved to the mainland for a job that wasn’t marine biology related, so I started looking for volunteer opportunities that would allow me to stay involved with and connect with people that share a passion for marine and conservation initiatives. This is when I came across the Vancouver chapter of Surfrider and I’ve been volunteering with them since spring of 2023!
Q: What are some environmental issues that are affecting your local community?
Cigarette butt pollution is a major issue in Vancouver. Its very evident on streets throughout the city since there is very limited proper disposal options. This unfortunately means that a lot of butts end up in our water ways and our beaches which is quite clear given the amount of butts we pick up at our beach cleans.
Q: What has been the highlight of your Surfrider experience?
Our beach cleanups offer a straightforward and impactful means of benefiting the community. They personally stand out to me as my preferred way for acquainting people with Surfrider Foundation’s mission. These cleanups exemplify how small daily actions can lead to substantial long term effects for all.
Q: Do you have any personal experiences or campaigns/issues that you're passionate about where the social justice and environmental movements have intersected? If so, can you tell us about them?
I’m very passionate about getting people involved and educated on sustainability and conservation issues, particularly those related to preserving ecosystem health. Reducing plastic use and the use of single use plastics has been front and center recently and I’m excited about all the work Surfrider has done that has helped to result in B.C’s single-use and plastic waste prevention regulation.
Q: What can Surfrider do to foster an inclusive and welcoming experience? Do you have any examples from your experience where this is successfully happening?
Seeing how every member of the team interacts with new volunteers or community members at every beach clean is incredible. While things like donations and volunteering on different committees is talked about, no one is pressured to commitments. Surfrider really welcomes volunteering to help your local chapter in whatever capacity is manageable for someone, and I think that can really help to foster greater community involvement
Q: What is the most important thing you tell others about Surfrider?
How inclusive and welcoming everyone is. Everyone on the team is happy to be there and proud of what they do; it makes it a very inspiring and invigorating group to be a part of.
Q: Why is being a part of the Surfrider ocean conservation community important to you?
With my background in marine biology, being a part of a community that works to preserve our oceans is a passion of mine. With Surfrider being an organization that takes initiative to get things done and does so in an inclusive and welcoming way, its an community I am proud to be a part of.
