DO YOU CARE ABOUT THE OCEAN? How should New England ocean waters be used, better understood and more effectively managed in the future? That’s the question the Northeast Regional Ocean Planning Body is grappling with… and they seek YOUR input.
The Regional Planning Body is comprised of federal, state and tribal leaders who are working together to implement the National Ocean Policy. The New England RPB’s work is just getting underway and they are seeking input on a draft of their planning goals and actions. YOUR input is being sought through a series of 10 public meetings held around New England in May and June of 2013. Three of these meetings are in Maine:
MAINE:
- Thursday May 23, 4:00 to 7:00 PM Portland, ME
- Monday June 3, 4:00 to 7:00 PM Ellsworth, ME
- Tuesday June 4, 5:30 to 8:30 PM Rockland, ME
Additional information for these meetings (specific venues, agenda, etc.) is available here: http://goo.gl/m2OmH.
These meetings will provide opportunity for YOU to learn about the work of the RPB as well as review sample maps and products from the RPB’s initial planning efforts and offer written or oral comments. The process is aimed at gathering information on the diverse meanings and uses humans assign to the ocean, including considerations of spiritual identity, recreation, transportation, energy, infrastructure and industry. The hope is to mitigate conflicts, as informed by YOUR input on diverse ocean uses and enjoyments. If you have an opinion…please come be a part of the public comment process to make sure YOUR thoughts are heard.
Here’s how to help: ATTEND A PUBLIC MEETING! YOUR VOICE IS NEEDED TO HELP PROTECT THE OCEAN FOR RECREATIONAL INTERESTS!
Please let our Northeast Regional Coordinator, Melissa Gates, know if you can attend a meeting: mgates@surfrider.org. She can hook you up with suggested talking points for the comment session and answer any questions you may have.
Additional information on the RPB can be found here: http://northeastoceancouncil.org/regional-planning-body/meetings/.
PLEASE JOIN US FOR WORLD OCEANS DAY: Saturday, June 8!
In celebration of World Oceans Day, we invite you to Join Surfrider Foundation – Maine Chapter in helping to keep our beaches and oceans clean. Meet at the Willard Beach entrance at 10am. Bring work gloves, a mug for coffee, and a bucket (this helps to limit use of trash bags). RSVP on Facebook or by emailing our Chair.
Learn more about World Oceans Day here: W.O.D.
Please stop by our table at the Fourth Annual Old Port Festival in Portland, Sunday 
June 9, 11AM – 5PM! To volunteer helping spread the Surfrider message at the Festival, please email our Vice Chair.
PLEASE STAY TUNED for info on our International Surfing Day celebration, in June! 
Check out our new Facebook page for all the latest: FACEBOOK.
Our monthly Chapter meetings have been moved back to the second Wednesday of each month, from 7-9PM, at varying locations. Please come check us out and learn how YOU can get involved in protecting the oceans, waves & beaches! The May 8 meeting will be at our Chair’s house at Higgins Beach…please dress to be outside, bring a beach chair and zip us an email for directions: chair@maine.surfrider.org. We hope to see you!
THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR 2013′s EARTH DAY EVENTS!
BEACH CLEANUP
This year, we partnered with Take Action Portland, to cleanup our public East End Beach area in Portland.
WHEN: Saturday, April 20, 2013
WHERE: East End Beach, Portland
DETAILS: Our group met on the beach at 10am and cleaned the beach and surrounding areas. We were reminded of the real threats marine debris pose to our environment and how each of us can help mitigate this pollution in our ocean by reducing our own intake of single-use plastics. Remember to bring a reusable shopping bag with you when you go for groceries or take-out! Thanks to all who came out to our beach cleanup this year.
BAYSIDE BOWL FUNDRAISER 
Big THANKS to Bayside Bowl for hosting a fundraiser night for our Chapter this Earth Day, and to all who came to surf the bowling lanes & help out.
WHEN: Monday, April 22, 2013, from 4PM until close.
WHERE: Bayside Bowl, 59 Alder Street, Portland.
Bayside Bowl generously donated 5% of the revenue for the whole day to Surfrider Maine.
Many thanks also for the live music by local singer songwriter, Caroline Cotter. What a treat!
For additional 2013 events…
Please join the Surfrider Foundation Maine Chapter on Facebook to keep up-to-date with our events: Facebook.
We look forward to seeing you! Questions…? Email us!
2012 EVENTS
Long Sands Beach Earth Day Clean Up
Join York High School’s Environmental Team, Liquid Dreams Surf Shop and Surfrider Maine to clean up Long Sands Beach in York.
Date: Sunday, April 22nd – Earth Day
Time: 10 A.M. to 12 noon
Where: Meet on the beach in front of Liquid Dreams Surf Shop, (171 Long Beach Ave., York ME) Look for tents and banners!
We will provide all cleaning materials!
Parking is FREE because the meters will not be up. There are spots all along the beach but depending on the weather, they may be limited in the vicinity we will be located. Carpool if you can!!
We’ll have baked goods for you! – please bring your own drinking vessel!!
Please invite others. Hope to see you there!!!
Click for the Facebook event page.
East End Beach & Eastern Prom Trail Clean Up…
Date: Saturday, March 31st
Time: 10 A.M. – 12 Noon
Come join Surfrider Maine and help to clean up East End Beach and Eastern Prom Trail.
Treats provided by Tony’s Donuts!!
Photographs will be taken by Katie Strait Photography to be incorporated into a multimedia production for our plastics campaign and to be displayed at the Big Easy for the First Friday Art Walk in June!!
Please invite others. Hope to see you there!!!
Click for the Facebook event page.
Splinters – Surf Documentary at Space Gallery
Tuesday, March 27th
7:30 P.M.
Check out the documentary website here.
Bayside Bowl Non Profit Night!!
Monday January 23rd
4 P.M. to Close
59 Alder Street
Portland
5% of the revenue for the whole day will be donated to Surfrider Maine. So please come on down and bowl a frame, grab a snack or have a drink. Hope to see you there!!
Live Music!!
5:00 P.M. – 6:30 P.M. Andi Fawcett with Doubting Gravity
7:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. Andi Fawcett
Raffle Items:
Katie Strait Photography – Photo w/Frame
Nomads – Gift Card
Scratch – Gift Card
Whole Foods - Gift Card
Spa at Inn by the Sea – Gift Card
Reiki Session with Melinda – three 2-hour sessions
Tracie O’Keefe Massage Therapy
Moose County Music & Surf
Board Silly
HangGoose
Patagonia
Yosaku
Aquaholics
**More Items to Come