👋🏽 Lots of new faces here lately so we thought we’d re-introduce ourselves.
🌏 At Conservation International, we protect nature for people. Our Surf Conservation program is dedicated to protecting world-class waves and the vital marine and coastal ecosystems surrounding them.
🌊 By protecting surf ecosystems, we’re protecting key biodiversity, strengthening resilient coastlines, and supporting communities who directly depend on healthy oceans for their lives, livelihoods, and lifestyles.
All of our work is in close collaboration with local communities and partners, and made possible by the generous contributions of many.
Learn more and get involved at the link in our bio.
@conservationorg #surfconservation 📷: @rafaelabmaia , @karenbofphotos , Natalie Dixon, & @charlie.cadin
Did you know that some of the world’s famous surf breaks are also climate superstars? Our new study finds that the ecosystems surrounding popular surf spots store 88 million tons of carbon—equivalent to the emissions from 77 million gas-powered cars. Yet only 3% of these areas are protected. Here’s how Conservation International is helping to save these vital ecosystems.
Thank you to our friends at @tracksmag for featuring us and our work in their recent article: “Protecting the world’s best waves and beyond”
Link in our bio to read the article about surf conservation and access other content by @tracksmag
Photos by @johnnyjungle
Last week, we officially kicked off a Surf Conservation x USC partnership with an on-campus community launch event! Together, we are accelerating surf conservation research and science, and building a community of passionate students across various disciplines who will directly contribute to protecting high-value surf ecosystems.
Thank you to our panelists for highlighting the current state of our oceans and how surfing can be a driving force for change, to the students who attended and are excited to get involved, and to @uscwrigley for supporting such a successful event and partnership. We look forward to advancing surf conservation and empowering the next generation of conservation leaders together.
@conservationorg #surfconservation 📷: @uscwrigley
Last month, we joined surfers and ocean conservation leaders from around the world at the World Surfing Conservation Conference on Australia’s Gold Coast. This global gathering brought together more than 100 speakers from 20 countries to share research, stories, and innovations that are shaping the future of surf conservation.
Throughout the week, Conservation International and our partners highlighted how surfing can help meaningfully advance conservation goals globally, while supporting the communities, cultures, and biodiversity that depend on these unique coastal ecosystems. We shared case studies and stories from our work in Indonesia, Costa Rica, Peru, and beyond, with presentations covering innovative policies and legal protection pathways, youth engagement for long-lasting community stewardship, sustainable blue economy benefits for local people, and sustainable financing to scale surf conservation.
We also shared our new Guidelines and Best Practices for Surf Ecosystem Conservation (linked in our bio), a collaborative resource created with our partners, @savethewavescoalition and @spda_peru , with support from the Global Environment Facility.
Thank you @gcwsr and all the event sponsors for being great hosts!
@conservationorg #surfconservation 📷: @turnthebull & @lisettedrew
More than just waves, we’re protecting entire surf ecosystems, which means thriving oceans, resilient coastlines, and a better future for both people and nature.
Our goal is to legally protect 100 waves and their surrounding ecosystems by 2030. Your support helps us protect more waves and empower the communities that depend on them.
@conservationorg #surfconservation 📷: @chachfiles , @rafaelabmaia , @marissaamillerr , & @kort_alexander
🌊 ¿Qué significa proteger legalmente una rompiente?
Proteger una rompiente implica contar con normas formales que eviten actividades que puedan afectar sus componentes físicos o las condiciones que permiten su uso recreativo seguro. También considera la protección del fondo marino, el corredor de oleaje y el acceso, así como de los ecosistemas y valores culturales asociados.
📘 Aprende más en la guía “Lineamientos y Buenas Prácticas para la Conservación de Ecosistemas de Surf”.
🌎 Este documento forma parte del proyecto “Ampliación de los beneficios de la economía azul y la conservación de la biodiversidad y los servicios ecosistémicos críticos mediante la gestión de los ecosistemas de surf”, financiado por el @gef_global_environment , implementado por la ONUDI y ejecutado por @ci_peru , en alianza con @savethewavescoalition y la @spda_peru .
🔗 Descarga la guía en el link de nuestra bio.
This International Women’s Day, we’re proud to support and highlight @coast2coast.movement ’s Women & Water program (in partnership with @waveslobitos ), which uses surfing to empower young girls in coastal communities to become leaders in their communities and stewards of their coastlines.
Photos by @coast2coast.movement
#mujeresyagua #womenandwater #internationalwomensday #surfconservation @conservationorg@ci_peru@hazlaola@waveslobitos
🌊 Para proteger los ecosistemas de surf, es importante comprender a fondo las rompientes y recopilar datos.
🗺️ Es fundamental mapear toda la zona de rompientes y el corredor de oleaje para informar las medidas de protección legales
📈 Los reportes de surf, análisis, guías de viaje y sitios web de pronósticos de oleaje son recursos valiosos para identificar las rompientes. Una práctica recomendada es utilizar una plataforma de acceso abierto para proporcionar una base de datos inicial georreferenciada con información sobre las rompientes.
🏄Es importante recopilar datos adicionales mediante la colaboración práctica con los surfistas locales para garantizar la creación de una base de datos totalmente verificada y con información local.
👉 Para obtener más información sobre el mapeo de los ecosistemas de surf: descarga la guía de “Lineamientos y buenas prácticas para la conservación de los ecosistemas de surf”’.
Link en nuestra bio.
🌊 Olas, naturaleza y comunidad se encuentran en un impresionante paisaje del norte del Perú 🏜️🌿
No te pierdas 🎬 Illescas: El refugio de las olas 🌊
Un documental entre el desierto y el mar
👉🎬 Descubre este refugio natural en el link de nuestra bio
💙 Compártelo y ayúdanos a que más personas conozcan este paraíso
Este documental forma parte del proyecto “Ampliación de los beneficios de la economía azul y la conservación de la biodiversidad y los servicios ecosistémicos críticos mediante la gestión de los ecosistemas de surf”, financiado por el Global Environment Facility (@gef_global_environment ), implementado por la ONUDI y ejecutado por Conservación Internacional @ci_peru , en alianza con @savethewavescoalition y la Sociedad Peruana de Derecho Ambiental (@spda_peru ) 🌱
Through the surf community that consists of more than 35 million worldwide, and a culture grounded in joy, freedom, creativity and a deep relationship with the ocean, Conservation International’s Surf Conservation Partnership channels the passion toward protecting the coastal ecosystems and irreplaceable natural areas. 🌊
@conservationorg is one of the initiatives to be featured on UN Live’s Culture for Impact 2025, and works with surf communities, governments, and organisations to defend coastlines, establish Surf Protected Areas and empowering young leaders as local steward, reinforcing that protecting nature can be joyful, inclusive, and rooted in the things we love.🏄♀️
Read the full story of how surf culture reconnects people with hope and shows that when cultural practices meet conservation, real change becomes possible.
💙 Link in bio.
#cultureforimpact #sports
We are thrilled to share that @conservationorg ’s @surfconservation program has been named to the @museumfortheun UN Live Culture for Impact List 2025!
This honor recognizes 10 of the most inspiring examples of popular culture for impact that have touched hearts and minds around the world this year.
Our Surf Conservation Program brings together passionate ocean communities to protect the coastal ecosystems that make surfing possible. By working with local communities, governments, and surf organizations, the program establishes Surf Protected Areas and empowers young people—especially girls—as future ocean leaders.
This recognition celebrates the coastal communities and youth driving this work forward, reinforcing that culture is truly a force for life. It amplifies the reach of Surf Protected Areas, strengthens youth leadership programs, and inspires more surfers, governments, and partners to join us in protecting coastlines worldwide.
Thank you to everyone who has made this work possible! #surfconservation #cultureforimpact #sportsfornature
Photos by @marissaamillerr and @rafaelabmaia of youth in our surf conservation sites in Indonesia.
