Space Coast Surfriders Foundation
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Date: November 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
To kick off the evening with laughter and insight, Nina asked everyone to turn to a neighbor and share two things:
- A random fun fact or hobby others wouldn’t expect from them
- If they could instantly solve one environmental issue, what would it be?
3. Guest Speaker Presentation
Speaker: Zachary Eichholz – Chief Resilience Manager for the City of Cape Canaveral
Zachary shared the bold and forward-thinking approach Cape Canaveral is taking through their “Race to Resilience” initiative, built under the Cape Canaveral 2063 Program, which launched in 2022. His talk focused on tangible, science-backed projects that are preparing the city to meet future climate and environmental challenges head-on.
Key Initiatives Discussed:
- Resilience Division (Cape Canaveral 2063):
- Coordinates emergency operations and disaster response
- Collaborates with first responders and regional agencies
- Remote Sensor Site:
- Collects real-time data for smarter infrastructure planning and storm mitigation
- Community Center as Resilience Hub:
- Equipped with rechargeable generators, Starlink internet, flood barriers (tiger dams), and metal barricades
- Green Infrastructure Projects:
- Veterans Memorial Park “Smart” Rain Garden – funded via a $1M NSF CIVIC grant
- Center Street Pump Station + Tidal Valve to manage stormwater discharge into Banana River Lagoon
- Water Reclamation Facility Shoreline Enhancement to protect coastal infrastructure
- Vulnerability Assessment 2.0:
- Required to unlock Resilient Florida grant funding
- Community Engagement:
- Annual Sea Oat Planting: Over 200,000 sea oats planted since 2005 to stabilize dunes
Zach emphasized the importance of proactive investment and public-private partnerships to safeguard Florida’s coastal communities. His presentation served as a model for local resilience planning.
4. Program Updates & Miscellaneous
- Ocean Friendly Restaurants (OFR) – Joanie Reagan:
- Shared current engagement and highlighted potential outreach during upcoming events.
- Ocean Friendly Gardens (OFG) – Bill:
- Shared updates on current bioswale and shoreline restoration projects, with fall plantings still underway.
- Board Recruitment:
- Still seeking interested members to serve as Events Coordinator and Vice Chair.
5. Upcoming Events
- December 6: Grom Fest
- Location: Pelican Park, Satellite Beach
- December 17: Social Gathering
- Location: Intracoastal Brewery
- Informal evening to hang out and discuss plans for 2026
- December 27: Potential Member Surf Day
- Time/Location TBD — follow-up email to be sent
6. Closing Remarks
Nina Hunt thanked everyone for their continued dedication and participation.
Special thanks to Tiny Turtle for hosting the meeting.Everyone was encouraged to tip their servers generously and hang out afterward to network and brainstorm ideas for future initiatives.
Meeting Adjourned: 8:00 PM
Minutes prepared by:
Brendon Miller
Board Secretary