Activist Spotlight: Addie Gleekel With the San Diego Chapter

I’m a core volunteer for the San Diego Chapter ’s Clean Border Water Now (CBWN) program. The CBWN team is working hard to expand outreach and engagement, and I am happy to be part of that. Earlier this year I termed out of the Executive Committee, where I served as the Administrative Coordinator and one of the event organizers. I joined Surfrider in the fall of 2023 after attending the Paddle for Clean Water. At the time, it had been a year since graduating college and I was bartending in Oceanside. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in marine biology mixed with policy, and I was desperate to get involved and help make real change. My boss connected me with a friend who happened to know the San Diego Chapter Chair at the time, and that’s how I found my way to Surfrider. From day one, the energy, the mission, and the people drew me in. I knew I had to be part of it. The ocean gives so much to us, and it’s time to give back. What are some local environmental issues that you have witnessed?