Space Coast Surfriders Foundation
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Date: August 19, 2026
Time: 6:30 – 8:00 PM
Location: Intracoastal Brewing Company
1. Call to Order
Board Chair Nina Hunt called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
2. Icebreaker
Attendees participated in a “Guess the Ocean Animal” icebreaker. Each participant privately selected an ocean animal and shared three challenging adjectives describing it while others attempted to guess the species.
3. Guest Speaker Presentation
Speaker: Frank “Alligator” Robb
Founder & President, Environmental Education Awareness Research Support and Services (EEARSS)
Frank “Alligator” Robb joined the chapter to discuss his decades of work with Florida wildlife, crocodilian research, environmental education, and biodiversity monitoring. Robb has more than 30 years of field experience working with alligators, crocodiles, reptiles, and other native wildlife and gained national attention in 2019 after successfully capturing “Chance the Snapper,” an alligator found living in Chicago’s Humboldt Park Lagoon.
Robb founded EEARSS – Environmental Education Awareness Research Support and Services, a nonprofit focused on environmental education, biodiversity research, wildlife conservation, and supporting scientific research. Through EEARSS, Robb and his collaborators conduct educational programs, field surveys, ecosystem monitoring, and research designed to better understand the relationship between wildlife, environmental contaminants, and human health.
Environmental Education & Outreach
- EEARSS provides wildlife and environmental education for schools, community organizations, government agencies, and the public.
- Robb hosts the EEARSS by Alligator Robb Podcast, featuring scientists, wildlife professionals, educators, and conservation leaders.
- Educational outreach focuses on increasing public understanding of native wildlife, ecosystem health, responsible wildlife interactions, and conservation.
Biodiversity & Environmentally Endangered Lands Research
Robb discussed EEARSS field research conducted on protected lands throughout Brevard County. Research teams use wildlife monitoring techniques, including drift fences and wildlife arrays, to document species moving through important habitat corridors.
Species encountered through local biodiversity work have included:
- Short-eared owls
- Pocket gophers
- Spotted skunks
- Fox squirrels
- Flying squirrels
- Numerous native reptiles and amphibians
Robb highlighted the extraordinary biodiversity found throughout the Space Coast, including pygmy rattlesnakes, eastern coral snakes, cottonmouths, eastern diamondback rattlesnakes, water snakes, fossorial snakes, pine woods snakes, red rat snakes, rough green snakes, racerunners, barking tree frogs, diamondback terrapins, whip scorpions, and other native wildlife.
The presentation also addressed the increasing presence of exotic and invasive species, including Cuban tree frogs, agamas, chameleons, Cuban night anoles, tegus, and red-footed tortoises, and the potential impacts these species can have on Florida ecosystems.
American Crocodiles & Alligators
Robb discussed the presence and movement of American crocodiles in Florida, including occasional observations farther north along Florida’s east coast, and shared insight from decades of hands-on work managing human-crocodilian interactions.
He noted that he typically handles hundreds of nuisance alligators annually, providing him with extensive opportunities to observe crocodilian behavior, biology, and population health.
Alligator Research & Human Health
One of EEARSS's major research areas examines the American alligator as an indicator of environmental and ecosystem health.
Robb discussed collaborative research examining:
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- Environmental contaminants and their impacts on alligator health
- Alligator toxicology and endocrinology
- DNA and chromosome damage
- Heavy metals and other environmental pollutants
- The potential for crocodilian biology to help researchers better understand environmental and human health
EEARSS works with scientists at the Wise Laboratory of Environmental & Genetic Toxicology at the University of Louisville, where researchers study alligator cells and tissue to examine how contaminants such as chromium can damage DNA and chromosomes.
The research follows a broader One Health approach—the idea that human health, wildlife health, and ecosystem health are interconnected. Studying a long-lived apex predator such as the American alligator can provide researchers with valuable insight into pollutants present in aquatic ecosystems and how those contaminants may affect multiple species.
Robb emphasized that there is still much to learn from crocodilians and encouraged attendees to see native wildlife not simply as individual species, but as important indicators of the health of the ecosystems we all share.
Learn More: EEARSS.org
4. Chapter & Program Updates
Ocean Friendly Restaurants (OFR) – Joanie
- Joanie provided an update on current Ocean Friendly Restaurants outreach and ongoing efforts to expand participation throughout the Space Coast.
Ocean Friendly Gardens (OFG) – Bill - Bill provided an update on current Ocean Friendly Gardens activities.
- The chapter is planning an upcoming weeding and maintenance event in October.
- Members were encouraged to participate and help maintain existing native gardens and bioswales.
5. Upcoming Events
- August 29 – Beach Cleanup + Member Surf Day
- Pelican Beach Park
- 8:30 – 10:30 AM
- Attendees were reminded to register for free parking through the City of Satellite Beach before arriving.
- September 16 – General Meeting
- Tiny Turtle
- 6:30 – 8:00 PM
- Meet the Candidates Night
- September 26 – A1A Adopt-A-Highway Cleanup
- Spessard Holland South Beach Park
- 8:30 – 10:30 AM
- October 10 – Ocean Friendly Gardens Event
- William Dewey Park
- 9:00 – 11:00 AM
- October 11–13 – NKF Surf Festival
- Cocoa Beach Pier
- Surfrider will participate in beach cleanup activities from approximately 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM during the first two days of the festival.
6. Open Positions
The chapter continues recruiting volunteers for the following leadership positions:
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- Vice Chair
- Ocean Friendly Restaurants (OFR) Co-Chair / Support Lead
- Fundraising Chair
- Community Partnerships Chair
Community Partnerships Chair
Volunteer | Approximately 10–15 hrs/month
The Community Partnerships Chair will help strengthen relationships between Surfrider Space Coast and other environmental, nonprofit, civic, and community organizations throughout Brevard County.
Responsibilities include:- Identifying opportunities for co-hosted events, cross-promotion, and shared volunteer engagement.
- Helping promote partner organizations' events and programs through Surfrider channels.
- Developing ideas for how Surfrider can support aligned community organizations beyond financial contributions.
- Attending board meetings, voting as a board member, and supporting chapter events.
Ocean Friendly Restaurants (OFR) Co-Chair / Support Lead
Volunteer | Approximately 10–15 hrs/month
The OFR Co-Chair helps grow the Ocean Friendly Restaurants program across the Space Coast by supporting outreach, promotion, and community engagement.
Responsibilities include: - Supporting restaurant outreach and education to increase OFR participation.
- Coordinating promotional opportunities for newly certified restaurants, including local media and PR.
- Supporting news segments and ribbon-cutting events.
- Representing OFR at board meetings and chapter events.
- Developing new strategies to increase awareness and participation.
Fundraising Chair
Volunteer | Approximately 5–10+ hrs/month
The Fundraising Chair leads relationship-driven efforts to generate financial support needed to sustain and grow the chapter.
Responsibilities include: - Building partnerships with local businesses and corporate sponsors.
- Leading fundraising strategy and donor relationship development.
- Identifying and pursuing grant opportunities.
- Coordinating sponsorships and private beach cleanups with community partners.
- Attending board meetings, voting as a board member, and supporting chapter events.
*All positions are unpaid volunteer opportunities ideal for individuals passionate about ocean conservation, community engagement, and expanding Surfrider's impact throughout the Space Coast.
7. Closing Remarks
Nina Hunt thanked everyone for attending and for their continued involvement with the chapter. Special thanks were extended to Intracoastal Brewing Company for hosting. Attendees were encouraged to tip their servers generously, stay afterward to socialize, and connect with chapter leaders about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.
Meeting Adjourned: 8:00 PM
Minutes prepared by:
Brendon Miller
Board Secretary