Photo Credit: Beth Lange
Interview with Beth Lange a core volunteer with the Surfrider Foundation's Charlotte Chapter:
What chapter do you work with and what is your leadership role?
"I am with the Charlotte chapter. I started in the OFR position but I’m currently the Chair."
What drew you into volunteering at the Surfrider Foundation?
"I've had a love for the beach and ocean for as long as I can remember. I've also always been passionate about environmental causes and finding ways to make a positive impact. I love that Surfrider combines my love for the ocean with a mission to protect and preserve the environment. Living in Charlotte, I found it difficult to volunteer or get involved with organizations focused on ocean conservation. So, when I discovered that Charlotte had a Surfrider chapter, I was thrilled. It felt like the perfect opportunity to connect with others who share my passion and make a difference, even from here in Charlotte."
What Surfrider program are you most proud of in your chapter?
"I'm really proud of our Ocean Friendly Restaurant program. Since we are an inland chapter, we feel that we can make the biggest impact by reducing single use plastics and implementing more sustainable practices in businesses. We have great OFR partnerships and I hope that continues to grow."
Can you share a story of one of your favorite moments volunteering?
"My favorite event that we do is the Mountain Island Cleanup. We collaborate with a local kayak rental company, Mountain Island Lake Paddle Co. , and we paddle 1.4 miles to an island in Mountain Island lake, which is a drinking water source for Charlotte. We always have a great group of volunteers and we gather tons of trash from the island. We like to have a "what's the weirdest thing you found?" competition at the end. It's just a great day to be out on the water, and clean up trash from the lake."
Why should people volunteer with your chapter?
"I love Surfrider is a national organization so you feel that even though you're a part of a smaller group in Charlotte, you're a part of something much larger. Our chapter is full of wonderful volunteers that become close friends. Volunteering with our chapter is a fantastic way to give back to our local community and waterways. We also love to talk about surfing, the beach, the ocean and all things environmental. It's a fun and fulfilling chapter to be apart of."
Sam joined the team in 2026 as the Southeast Regional Manager. She grew up in Laguna Beach, California, where she developed an early passion for protecting the ocean. She holds a Master of Public Policy degree from Duke University, with a concentration in Environment and Energy Policy.