Eco Actions

During the last 60-day public comment period, more than 270,000 people spoke out against offshore drilling, sending a powerful message before comments closed on January 23rd. But, instead of reviewing and acting on those comments, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has opened a new 30-day comment period, allowing oil and gas companies to nominate potential drilling sites along the Central and Southern California coast. These nominated areas include waters off Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay, and beyond. The public can still push to exclude these areas from future leasing—but time is limited. We urge you to submit a public comment opposing offshore drilling, focusing on the following key issues: Use conflicts (fishing, boating, recreation, and research); Sensitive areas and protected habitats; Coastal economies and community impacts; Environmental and biological factors; Cultural and archaeological sites. Submit COMMENT

House Republicans are preparing to dismantle our nation's critical chemical safety law. Their proposal would gut key provisions in the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), a move that would undermine an overwhelmingly popular law protecting Americans from the most dangerous chemicals. These rollbacks would expose our most vulnerable, including children, pregnant women and industrial workers to potentially dangerous chemicals. Take ACTION.

It's alarming enough that scientists are observing an increase in the number of "superbugs" -- bacteria that are resistant to multiple antibiotics, and cost 35,000 Americans their lives every year. What's worse, our current use of antibiotics in agriculture is making the problem worse. Pesticides containing antibiotics important to human medicine are sprayed widely on fields. It's time to put a stop to this dangerous practice and protect medically important antibiotics for use in human medicine. Tell the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ban the use of antibiotic pesticides in agriculture today. Act HERE.

A remote, pristine wilderness of sprawling lakes and hiking trails, where fox pups play on the shore and bald eagles perch in trees that have been standing tall for hundreds of years -- can you picture a copper mine in a place like this? That's exactly what could happen if this proposal in Congress goes through, opening one of our nation's most visited wildernesses to toxic mining.1 And it could come to a vote in the U.S. House any day now. We need your voice: Send a message to your U.S. representative urging them not to strip back protections for the Boundary Waters. Take ACTION.

The Environmental Protection Agency is working to nix federal clean-car standards that protect the air we breathe and help save money at the gas pump. A rollback proposal could come any day now — and will be a blatant giveaway to Big Oil and auto executives. While industry stakeholders rake in profits, Trump's proposal will let more cars burn more gas, resulting in more oil use, higher gas costs, and worse air pollution that harms our health and climate. We need to keep the EPA's current standards in place to deliver cleaner cars that improve our quality of life and help protect the climate that wildlife needs to thrive. Take ACTION.

Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum is reportedly considering reversing protections for Chaco Canyon — a move that could reopen this sacred, irreplaceable landscape to oil, gas, and other extractive industries. Chaco Canyon is not expendable land. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a center of Indigenous culture and history, and one of the most significant archaeological landscapes in North America. For thousands of years, Pueblo, Hopi, Navajo, and other Tribal Nations have maintained deep cultural, spiritual, and ancestral connections to this place. Tell Secretary of Interior Burgum to preserve Chaco Canyon's sacred glory. Act HERE.

Fifteen years after BP’s Deepwater Horizon — the most destructive oil spill in U.S. history — the same company is asking the federal government to approve a new, massive offshore drilling project in the Gulf. The proposed project, called Kaskida, would be BP’s first completely new oilfield in the Gulf since Deepwater Horizon.

Building more solar energy projects across the country can help meet rising demand, cut emissions, and keep costs down for working families. But instead, The Trump Administration’s Department of Interior (DOI) has frozen major solar energy projects on public and private lands. Meanwhile, the Administration has moved to reverse restrictions on dangerous fossil fuel projects on federal lands. Solar is the cheapest form of new energy across the US. Plus, it’s the fastest to build. Urge Congress to press Department of Interior Secretary Burgum to cut the red tape stopping new solar projects. Take action HERE

We shouldn't be able to get toxic, bee-killing chemicals shipped to our doorstep at the push of a button. Neonic pesticides are contributing to bee-die offs that put our entire food system at risk. Not to mention: They've also been linked to neurological issues in humans. But despite all the risks, neonic pesticides are still sold on Amazon in most states. Amazon can protect pollinators, our health and the planet by getting these toxic pesticides off their virtual shelves. Tell Amazon: Stop selling bee-killing neonics HERE.

Earlier this year, Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) pushed a proposed provision that would have put more than 250 million acres of public land on the chopping block and for sale, with a mandated sale of up to 2-3 million acres within five years. With your help, the provision was successfully thrown out. But now Senator Lee is back with an even more dangerous amendment...Lee Amendment #3972 would remove protections in the Interior appropriations bill that require the Department of the Interior to maintain our national parks. If it passes, it opens the door to selling off, transferring or giving away America’s most treasured public lands - including our national parks. Contact your Senator HERE.

The Forest Service plans to rescind the Roadless Rule, which protects more than 45 million acres of wild forest from logging and mining. These forests provide clean water, shelter hundreds of threatened and endangered species and are the sites of treasured memories for millions of Americans — losing them to logging and mining would be a travesty. Congress can permanently protect all roadless forests by passing the Roadless Area Conservation Act. Tell your U.S. House representative to protect millions of acres of wild forest HERE.

Former Rep. Steve Pearce of New Mexico spent his congressional career attacking public lands and endangered species. Now President Donald Trump has picked him to lead the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, where Pearce would be in charge of 245 million acres of public lands — all at extreme risk of privatization and annihilation. Pearce has long called for shrinking and selling off public lands to private and corporate interests. If he’s confirmed, he’ll greenlight extractive industry at the expense of clean water, wildlife, and public enjoyment across some of the most cherished landscapes in the U.S. West. He once said, these wolves — which will stalk for weeks and weeks and weeks at a time around local homes — it’s a matter of time until a wolf catches one of these children.” There have been ZERO documented cases of wolves attacking humans in New Mexico. Take ACTION.

We rely on EPA to enforce strict reporting requirements to ensure that we're protected from 'forever chemicals' like PFAS. But a new plan from the Trump EPA may put that critical transparency at risk. The agency's plan would gut reporting requirements giving nearly all companies the opportunity to skirt disclosing critical PFAS information, making it harder for states and regulators to protect us. Speak out before the Dec 29 deadline. Act HERE.

The Surfrider Foundation strongly objects to the federal administration’s proposed 5-Year Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil & Gas Leasing Program for 2026 - 2031. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s dangerous proposal would open up California, the Gulf of Mexico, including the previously protected waters off of Florida, and Alaska, including the pristine High Arctic, where drilling has never been attempted before because of the hazards — putting coastal ecosystems, communities, and businesses in these areas at serious risk. Surfrider calls on elected officials and members of the public to register official opposition during the current public comment period, which began on November 24. Act HERE.

The Trump administration has officially proposed sweeping new rules that would fundamentally weaken the Endangered Species Act, our nation’s most effective wildlife protection law. If these rules move forward, they will make it harder to protect species on the brink of extinction, easier to erase existing protections, and nearly impossible to safeguard the habitats, plants, and animals need to survive. This is one of the most dangerous attacks on wildlife we have ever seen. Learn more and act HERE.

Atrazine has been banned in more than 60 countries around the world due to its impacts on human health and the environment. It is a known hormone-disrupting pesticide linked to birth defects, multiple cancers, and fertility problems like low sperm quality and irregular menstrual cycles. Even the EPA itself concluded that atrazine is likely to harm more than 1,000 endangered species – and that its continued use could push some animals to Extinction! But now, under Trump, it’s trying sweep the danger atrazine poses to wildlife under the rug! The EPA is required to consider every single comment submitted during its public input period. Tell the EPA that instead of dismissing the harms of atrazine, it should BAN this dangerous chemical. Deadline is December 8th! Speak out HERE.

Castle Mountain Mine — a Canadian gold and silver mine in eastern San Bernardino County — is asking to QUADRUPLE its operation in an area where desert horseback riders love to ride and stargazers enjoy exceptional views of the Milky Way. The proposed expansion would build a new water pipeline to more than TRIPLE the mine's water usage – to up to 733.5 MILLION gallons per year, realign roads, and increase the mine's crushing rate from 17,123 tons per day to 52,055 tons per day. Please contact the Bureau of Land Management to tell them that you don't want them to allow the Castle Mountain Mine to expand and that instead, they should protect the recreational access and experiences, as well as the scenic beauty that this area provides. The comment deadline is November 20! Act HERE.

A House bill seeks to remove lifesaving protections for critically endangered Mexican gray wolves, already on the brink of genetic collapse! Mexican gray wolves are one of the most endangered mammals in North America with only 286 remaining in the wild. The genetic diversity of this iconic subspecies has now steadily declined for the fourth consecutive year – spelling grave danger for the future of this wolf population. Meanwhile, genetically valuable Mexican gray wolves like the presumed pregnant female Asiza, as well as a 3-month old male pup, have already been killed by federal agents in this year alone. Sign the petition to defend grey wolves by opposing H.R. 4255. Act HERE.

After the devastation of the 2020 CZU Fire, our community has worked tirelessly to make our homes and forests safer. Now, new statewide fire regulations could put that progress—and our wallets—at risk. The California Board of Forestry is finalizing new “Defensible Space Zones 0, 1, and 2” regulations that could require homeowners in rural areas to spend thousands of dollars on property changes with limited proven benefits. These costly measures would apply to everyone living within CAL FIRE’s CZU State Responsibility Area (SRA), regardless of risk level. Get informed about the many issues and how to speak up during the 45 day comment period. HERE

Did you know that leaving or repurposing fallen leaves in local landscapes creates vital overwintering habitat for vulnerable caterpillars, at-risk salamanders, and declining firefly populations? And even songbirds benefit by foraging for insects and seeds among the fallen leaves? When leaves are collected and thrown away or sent to the landfill, we eliminate this important microhabitat and disrupt the ecosystem.But local ordinances or homeowners associations often require the removal of fallen leaves from residential yards, commercial landscapes, and outdoor public spaces. Send a message today urging your local officials to lift or modify any existing fallen leaves removal requirements and to leave the leaves in outdoor public spaces. Act HERE.

Millions of Californians could be drinking water contaminated by toxic PFAS, increasing our risk of cancer and other health threats. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly called "forever chemicals" are increasingly seen as one of the most significant environmental and public health threats of our time. These man-made chemicals are used in everything from cleaning products to cookware to make things stain proof, water resistant and nonstick. The California State Legislature passed legislation in September that would prohibit PFAS from being used in cookware, cleaning products, food packaging, children's products, ski wax and dental floss. Tell Governor Newsom to sign this legislation! Act HERE.

The Trump administration is still moving forward with its attempts to revive the coal industry and gut regulations protecting us from toxic pollution from coal-fired plants. A comment period is open until November 3rd, and we need your voice on the public record showing your opposition to the Trump administration’s plans to put coal industry profits over our health. For decades, coal-fired power plants have treated our waters like open sewers. Last year, the Environmental Protection Agency finalized improved wastewater treatment standards for these plants. Now, Trump’s EPA is trying to gut these stricter rules to bail out the coal industry.Tell the EPA today to protect our water from coal-fired power plant pollution by not delaying or weakening these wastewater treatment standards! Speak out HERE.

A collection of bills — AB 1319, SB 427, and AB 454 — would broadly protect wildlife across California. One would expand the California Endangered Species Act to protect native Californian species currently with only federal protection. Another would extend our Habitat Conservation Fund for another 10 years, which will provide $30 million statewide for wildlife protections, annually. The last would indefinitely ban the possession or taking of migratory birds in California. These bills have the potential to broadly provide wildlife protections. Urge Governor Newsom to sign them into law. Action HERE.

U.S. Representative Paul Gosar (R-AZ) introduced two bills that would, if signed into law, abolish two national monuments in Arizona: Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni-Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument and Ironwood Forest. The bills also seek to undermine and weaken the Antiquities Act by requiring congressional approval to designate or expand these national monuments in the future. These bills would eliminate protections for over 1 million acres of public lands in Arizona and set the stage for weakening national monument protections across the country. A strong majority of voters from both sides of the aisle oppose shrinking national monuments. Action HERE.

As more Americans become aware of the plastic crisis for our oceans, climate, and health, many are rejecting single-use plastic and opting for reusable alternatives. A bipartisan, common-sense bill called the Research for Environmental Uses and Sustainable Economies (REUSE) Act of 2025 takes an important step toward tackling the plastic pollution crisis. It directs the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to study how reuse and refill systems can be expanded across the country. Reusable packaging is a proven solution in the fight against the plastic problem, and it has the lowest carbon footprint of any packaging option. By reducing reliance on single-use plastics, reuse and refill infrastructure can cut waste, lower emissions, and create jobs in a truly circular economy. Here’s one thing you can do: Urge your Senators to cosponsor the REUSE Act 2025 HERE.

Is that plastic container recyclable? It can already be hard enough to figure out which items go in which bin. But now plastic companies want the Federal Trade Commission to allow them to slap a chasing arrows recycling symbol even on products that are virtually guaranteed to end up in landfills. When it comes to recycling, we deserve transparency. That’s why we’re working to convince the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce accurate recycling labels. The FTC should limit recycling labels to products that are actually being recycled. Act HERE.

This petition is to the Mayor, City Council, and City Manager of the City of Santa Cruz; the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors; and the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC):
We, the undersigned, respectfully request pedestrian and cyclist access across the Santa Cruz Harbor via the Murray Street Rail Bridge for the duration of the three-year Murray Street Bridge closure due to earthquake retrofitting. This temporary access is crucial for the survival of small businesses and the well-being of the two neighborhoods that have been severely impacted by the closure. More info HERE.

Youth for Environmental Action (YEA) brings Santa Cruz County high school students together for impactful youth-led environmental stewardship and climate action during the ’25-’26 school year. Take advantage of these opportunities: YEA Leadership Team (No prior leadership required), School Support Teams, and Volunteering at environmental stewardship events. Students apply at tinyurl.com/YEA25-26. YEA team members receive community service hours and gain valuable new skills. Students can apply HERE.

We would love to have you join us in developing Environteers! All of the work (volunteer) is enjoyable, flexible and creative. We need a teammate or 3 who would enjoy networking with other nonprofits, connecting with college student communities, outreach to businesses with community service programs, publicizing with social media, and/or technical advice on Word Press or Mailchimp. Or bring your ideas! Contact us at info@environteers.org