Surfrider Foundation’s volunteer-run landscape education, hands-on training and advocacy program.

Pollution Accumulates In Between Rain Storms.

We Concentrate on Retaining First Flush:

The First 1 Inch of rain after a dry period.

80% of pollution in 1st inch.

= 3.8 billion gallons/1 inch of rain in L.A.

Urban Runoff Is #1 Source of Ocean Pollution

Resource Conservation District-Santa Cruz

…And Stop Dry Weather

Runoff

Hundreds of millions of gallons of drinkable water run off landscapes and impermeable urban environment on a DRY day.

This runoff carries pollutants directly into our waterways year round.

Think of Every Property As A Mini-Watershed

Apply CPR To Revive Watersheds & Oceans

Conservation - of Water, Wildlife Habitat & Energy

Permeability - of soil & hard surfaces

Retention – of rain water

TOP

BOTTOM

Filter for pollution

Sponge to hold onto water – plants tap during dry months

Sink for carbon – pulled into plant from carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas

Soil Works!

California San Diego, South OC, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Long Beach, South Bay, West LA/Malibu, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Isla Vista, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Sonoma Coast, Humboldt PNW Portland/OR, Newport/OR, Coos Bay/OR, Siuslaw South Sound Seattle Olympia Northwest Straits Bellingham Hawaii Oahu, Maui, Kauai New England – in discussion East Coast New York City, Jersey Shore, South Jersey, Delaware, D.C., Ocean City/MD, Virginia Beach Mid-Atlantic Clubs - Univ No Carolina-Wilminton Southeast – Charlotte/NC, Cape Fear/NC, Charleston/SC, Atlanta/GA Florida First Coast, Palm Beach County, Sebastian Inlet, Volusia/FlaglerFlorida Clubs - Indiatlantic Elem School

Chapters Engaged

Program Models

Shift the marketplace: a combination of education, training, and regulation

• Education– Standards (criteria) for consumers, professionals & gov’t– Talks, walks, map, web how-to info

• Hands-on activities– Train DIYers & professionals– Workdays

• Advocacy for policy changes– Standards in codes & incentive programs– Meetings w/gov’t & attend hearings

Easy to Share Data from OFG map

Replicate BWTF Portal for OFG

(Ventura County) Chapter: ______ Project

Ventura, CA• OFG program started in 2009• Loma Vista Elem School: was

an unused grassy area• Partnership with local

community council• Educated school district staff

Portland, OR: Green Streets

Stewards• Collaboration with

City• Clean and

maintain curb cuts and parkways

• __ sites =

• Program started in 2013• Pohaku Beach Park – runoff from shower & parking lot to ocean• Team effort – enviro groups, businesses, landscape

designer/Montessori teacher

Maui

South Jersey• Program started in 2014• Opposing parkway turf &

irrigation requirement• Supporting OFG• Successfully stopped &

invited to educate Town Council

San Diego, CA – stormwater permit re-issuance hearing

NYC OFG program started in 2014• Parkways: dirt and ugly• Partnership between SF, company, City• Combined sewer/storm system – relieves pressure• Helps City’s $2 Billion water quality plan

• Florida – OFG program started in 2012• Fletcher Middle School: was an unused grass area• Partnership with teacher & landscape professional• First Coast OFG Chair – helping reach out to FL chapters

L.A. City Council Motion

- Require watershed approach to get $1.75 LADWP turf removal rebate. Backed by GreenLA Coalition. (Clms. Koretz & Krekorian)

So Cal - Require MWD’s rebated to follow watershed

standards.- Cal Friendly Landscape Training (CFLT) takes

watershed approach (G3 teaches).

CA- Cal. Urban Water Conservation Council Landscape

Committee and BOD member (watershed approach)- Independent Technical Panel - influence

National OFG Coordinator’s Advocacy

www.surfrider.org/ofg

OFG blogging

Re-posted to Facebook

Increased awareness & credibility of OFG Criteria (Standards)

• Follows on growth of rain garden programs

• Shows broad applicability

• Easily implemented - it’s just landscaping

• Generates data for public agencies to meet regulatory requirements

Ocean Friendly Gardens

• Activating volunteers and building leaders• Educating students, teachers and maintenance staff• Building chapter credibility & legitimacy• Forming partnerships with government, other non-

profits, and private sector• Affecting government standards• Cleaning up sources of pollution• Training DIYers and professionals• Advocating for policy solutions

What does a chapter need to start an OFG program?

• Plan• Some funding • Volunteers to educate, help with hands-on

activities, and advocate• Follow up – maintenance, posting gardens to

the map, getting a yard sign, recruiting volunteers

Future Directions, Goals & Needs• Challenge – time put towards advocacy takes

away from helping chapters• National call?• Chapter-to-chapter mentorships• Easier on-ramps• Partnerships with similar NGOs, e.g., NWF• Simplify on-line & print resources – one-sheets • OFG meets BWTF