E50 — Chad Nelson: Protecting Oceans, Waves, and Beaches

Send us Fan MailIn this 50th episode of Naturally Scott, Scott Harris sits down with Chad Nelson, CEO of the Surfrider Foundation, to talk about a coastal conservation organization that doesn’t just educate and inspire — it organizes, advocates, and fights for practical outcomes.Surfrider’s work spans five core fronts: plastic reduction, ocean protection, beach access, coasts and climate, and clean water. Chad explains how a movement that began with surfers trying to protect beloved breaks has grown into a national network of volunteers running hundreds of campaigns — from cutting single-use plastics and improving water quality testing, to defending public access along shorelines, to building real solutions for coastal erosion and sea level rise.A major focus of the conversation is offshore drilling. Scott and Chad walk through why Surfrider opposes new offshore drilling across U.S. waters, how the federal leasing process works, what’s being proposed, and what’s at stake for wildlife, fisheries, tourism economies, and coastal communities.This is an episode about the places we love — and what it takes to protect them.Learn more about Surfrider and their campaigns at surfrider.orgFor updates, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes notes from Naturally Scott, subscribe here: https://naturallyscott.kit.com/5fd12c6752