Space Coast Surfriders Foundation
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Date: March 19, 2025
Time: 6:30 – 8:00 PM
Location: Tiny Turtle
1. Call to Order
Board Chair Nina Hunt called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
2. Icebreaker
Nina led an interactive icebreaker. Each attendee introduced themselves, shared why they joined Surfrider, and described how they were feeling in one word.
3. Guest Speaker Presentation
Speaker: Camille Hadley, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Little Growers
Camille shared the inspiring journey and mission of Little Growers, a nonprofit rooted in food justice, environmental restoration, youth empowerment and community cohesion.
- Originated as a home garden initiative to combat food insecurity.
- Evolved into managing multiple community gardens and tackling issues like flooding and corporate pollution.
- Current efforts include fundraising to develop a community learning space on donated land.
Programs Highlighted:
- Summer Earn and Learn: Targets youth ages 12–18. Focuses on Indian River Lagoon restoration and financial literacy.
- Make a Green Noise (Adults): Environmental education program emphasizing native plant restoration. Recently received a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Grant to support 10 new projects, including an Integrated Multitrophic Aquasystem to enhance lagoon health.
To learn more: littlegrowersinc.org
4. Announcements
- Membership: $50 includes a T-shirt gifted at your first in-person meeting.
- Open Board Roles: Actively seeking a Vice Chair and an Events Coordinator. Members are encouraged to reach out to learn more.
5. Upcoming Events
- March 22: A1A Adopt-a-Highway Cleanup
- Location: Val M. Steele Park
- Time: 8:30–10:30 AM
- March 29: First Member Surf Day!
- Location: Lori Wilson Park
- Time: 8–11 AM
- In collaboration with Brevard Girls Club and Stokeciety.
- Includes a beach cleanup and beginner-friendly surf instruction with equipment provided by Canaveral Surf.
- April 5: International Coastal Cleanup – Trash Bash
- Location: North Thousand Islands
- Hosted by: Keep Brevard Beautiful
- April 22: Earth Day Fair @ Aquarina
- Time: 5–7 PM
- Location: Melbourne Beach
- Surfrider will host a tent to promote Ocean Friendly Gardens (OFG), Ocean Friendly Restaurants (OFR), and private beach cleanups.
- Handouts: Stickers and educational flyers
- April 25: Earth Day Swale Planting – Indialantic
- Volunteers should bring garden tools, gloves, shovels, and water.
- Time and exact location to be confirmed by Bill.
6. Ocean Friendly Gardens Update (Bill)
- Ongoing conversion of bioswales in Indialantic to reduce nitrogen and phosphate runoff entering the Indian River Lagoon.
- The latest project marks the third of four planned swales.
- Surfrider recently received the “We Noticed” award from Keep Brevard Beautiful for these efforts.
- Collaboration continues with partners including Seaside Garden Club, Little Growers, and others.
- Volunteers are encouraged to get involved with planting and community outreach.
7. Ocean Friendly Restaurants Update (Joanie Reagan)
- Certified OFR locations include:
- Tiny Turtle
- Pita Pyramid Food Truck
- Panther Dining Hall (Florida Tech)
- Looking to grow the OFR program further. Members are encouraged to recommend eco-conscious restaurants or help spread the word about the certification benefits.
8. Closing Remarks
- Nina Hunt thanked everyone for attending and expressed appreciation to Tiny Turtle for hosting.
- Encouraged attendees to tip their servers generously and continue supporting local eco-conscious businesses.
- Invited members to socialize after the meeting and get more involved.
Attendees were invited to sign the Florida Right to Clean Water petition.
To learn more: floridarighttocleanwater.org
Meeting Adjourned: 8:00 PM
Minutes prepared by:
Brendon Miller
Board Secretary