Ecosystems are comprised of interactions, and the strength of these systems resides in the fortitude of relationships made. Just like kelp forests depend on a west coast keynote species, sea otters, to live and thrive, in our human communities we rely on partnerships to do the same. We also depend on partnerships and other forms of collaborations to construct an equitable and regenerative planet. Tapping into this synergy is paramount to our work at Surfrider Pacific Rim, which is a Chapter of Surfrider Foundation whose mission is the protection and enjoyment of the ocean, beaches and waves. Our focus is on eliminating unnecessary plastics, implementing circular systems for petroleum waste products, and working with youth, businesses, government and individuals in taking positive action for the coastline. 

As a nonprofit, our work is made possible by grants, donations from individuals, and from businesses who share our value of protecting and restoring this blue planet we call home. In the last four years, we have removed 50 tonnes of marine debris from the west coast of Vancouver Island, educated thousands of youth on how to be environmental stewards, we have kept tonnes of hard to recycle items in use and out of landfills, including cigarette butts, wetsuits and textiles, and we have won multiple campaigns working to ban single-use plastics, including straws, bags and polystyrene foam. 

For the last 4 years, Surfrider Pacific Rim has been incredibly fortunate to be officially sponsored by the Wickaninnish Inn, a Tofino treasure, and one of the most celebrated accomodations in the country. However, this business has been supporting this Chapter of Surfrider for well over a decade. Throughout its years of operating, the Wickaninnish Inn has never wavered in its commitment to sustainability and environmental practices. This landmark business’ early adoption of Surfrider Pacific Rim resided in our systems approach for creating tangible on-the-ground change. As owner Charles McDiarmid shared, “We’ve always appreciated the solutions-based, positive proactive approach offered by Pacific Rim Surfrider Foundation and love seeing the direct effect of their initiatives on our coast and in our communities.” Our major leap in growth that made it possible to have one full time staff back in 2017 began with the Wickaninnish Inn when they came aboard to donate 10K to our operations. Following this, we have run the “Surfrider Sessions Fundraiser” event in the Wickaninnish Inn’s Salal Room & Shoreline Terrace annually in March, which continues to raise 18-24K per year for our progressive initiatives. All of this funding has made the aforementioned achievements come to fruition, and has led us to grow the organization to forty core crew volunteers with three staff members. In conjunction with this, we’ve created, trained and nurtured leaders in the community, created multiple paid jobs for youth and have won awards for chapter leadership within the Surfrider Foundation network, our Youth Club won the Surfrider Foundation Wavemaker Award this year, and we have won the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce nonprofit of the year. 

We’re going forward with monumental goals of making the Pacific Rim a leader in the effort to curb plastic pollution, which includes eliminating all single-use plastic takeaway packaging by 2022 and implementing the Ocean Friendly Corridor between Tofino and Ucluelet. We want to thank the Wickaninnish Inn from the depths of the oceans for their continued belief in our Chapter which makes all of our victories possible, and for their exceptional efforts to run a business that sets the bar for corporate social and environmental responsibility. Would you like to learn more about how to become a sponsor? Would you like to attend or contribute an auction item to the Surfrider Sessions Fundraiser at the Wickaninnish Inn? Contact Lilly Woodbury at lwoodbury@canada.surfrider.org to learn more!