The San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat) is a treasure trove of astonishing artifacts that tell the story of Southern California’s ecosystems. Its exhibits include fossils uncovered during construction projects and specimen displays that highlight the region’s biodiversity.
Surfrider Foundation San Diego County Plastic Pollution Program, lead Janis Jones and Surfrider Club volunteers from Westview High School, recently spent time in The San Diego Natural History Museum's (The Nat) Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea gallery, where they shared information about the Plastic Pollution Program and Surfrider Foundation Student Clubs, while facilitating a Marine Debris Creation Station and other informative activities.
Janis highlighted local Plastic Pollution Program initiatives, which include education and outreach to raise awareness about the impacts of plastic marine debris and advocacy for single-use plastic reduction policies across San Diego County. In fact, Del Mar’s recent, more comprehensive ordinance becomes enforceable later this month. The Westview Surfrider Club members also shared what they do, including holding regular club meetings, hosting guest speakers, conducting beach cleanups, and other activities.
The Nat was the ideal setting for sharing information about Surfrider San Diego initiatives and encouraging artistic exploration using plastic items found on local beaches. Museum guests of all ages asked questions about Surfrider Foundation programs and engaged with the materials as they created abstract artworks and underwater scenes. Many creations emerged, inspired by the large-scale sculptures on display in the neighboring exhibition spaces.
Visitors could be heard asking, “What is this?” as they picked up unidentifiable objects, or exclaiming, “Look at this!” when they recognized familiar household items, such as a weathered deodorant container. Janis and the students explained that similar objects are found regularly on San Diego County beaches during one of our beach cleanups. (Read the 2025 Marine Debris Report for details on what thousands of volunteers picked up across the county last year.)
When Janis shared her experience at The Nat with her artist sister, Judith Selby-Lang of One Beach Plastic, Judith offered an insightful observation about the setting. Reflecting on plastic debris on display at the museum, she said, “The future won’t be natural. It will be plastic.” In response, Janis jokingly called it an “unnatural history museum.”
Jokes aside, the exhibit serves as a fitting reminder of the important work behind Surfrider’s efforts and plastic’s lasting impact on the natural world. It also raises the question: What artifacts of the Anthropocene epoch will be on display in museums of the future?
Surfrider San Diego County is grateful to the welcoming museum staff for the opportunity to shine a spotlight on marine plastic pollution in such a thoughtful and impactful way.
Join us in protecting our ocean, waves, and beaches by:
The Washed Ashore exhibit will be on display through February 28, 2027.