2014 best year yet for clean boating programs

Posted October 28th, 2014 in Aquatic Invasive Species, Recreation & Tourism
With the end of Chicago’s boating season right around the corner, we thought this would be a good time look back at this year’s progress making boating and harbor activities more environmentally friendly.

The Illinois Clean Marina Program launched last year with one certified marina, 31st Street Harbor. This year, five new harbors joined the ranks by implementing a series of best management practices, bringing the state total to six in just its first year. Two more, North Point Marina and Diversey Harbor have also pledged to implement these same practices.

Clean boating includes preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS). It was a banner year for Clean Boats Crew, an outreach effort that gives boaters, anglers, and others the information they need to stop the spread of AIS. During its four-year tenure, the volunteer program has spread the word about AIS prevention to more than 8,000 recreational water users in Illinois and Indiana, with more than 3,500 people reached this year alone.
 
The idea behind Clean Boats Crew is simple. Volunteers visit boat ramps and docks during the height of the boating season to talk with boaters, anglers, and other recreational water users about AIS and to demonstrate cleaning techniques that can help stop their spread. This year, site leaders and volunteers were onsite at Chicago’s Burnham and Diversey harbors, as well as Illinois’s Chain O’ Lakes and North Point Marina and Indiana’s East Chicago and Portage marinas.
 
In Illinois, site leaders and volunteers introduced water users to three simple steps at the heart of the prevention campaign Be a Hero – Transport Zero™:

 

–Remove plants, animals, and mud from all equipment
–Drain all water from your boat and gear
–Dry everything thoroughly with a towel

With the season over, IISG and the Northeast Illinois Invasive Plant Partnership, co-organizers of the Clean Boats Crew program, have turned their sights to next year and are looking for others to join the effort. 

IISG Instagram

Register Now for HASTI 2026! The early bird registration rate expires tomorrow!

We’re excited to be presenting The Watershed Game at the conference. The game is a hands-on activity that helps educators and students explore water quality, land use, and community decision-making.

✅ Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with fellow educators and bring new tools to your classroom!
📅 Event Details & Registration at the link in bio.

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Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 17885439465422924
Register Now for HASTI 2026! The early bird registration rate expires tomorrow!We’re excited to be presenting The Watershed Game at the conference. The game is a hands-on activity that helps educators and students explore water quality, land use, and community decision-making.✅ Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with fellow educators and bring new tools to your classroom!📅 Event Details & Registration at the link in bio.

Keeping on top of your farm finances can be a daunting task, but knowing what numbers to track, what the numbers mean, when to spend, and when to save can be critical for the long-term health of your aquaculture business finances.

This webinar series will provide you with an overview of practical information for managing your farm’s finances. All webinars begin at 12pm ET. Registrants will be sent a webinar recording. All recordings will be added to a YouTube playlist on Ohio Sea Grant and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant YouTube pages.

Learn more at the link in bio.

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Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 18086606177002403
Keeping on top of your farm finances can be a daunting task, but knowing what numbers to track, what the numbers mean, when to spend, and when to save can be critical for the long-term health of your aquaculture business finances. This webinar series will provide you with an overview of practical information for managing your farm’s finances. All webinars begin at 12pm ET. Registrants will be sent a webinar recording. All recordings will be added to a YouTube playlist on Ohio Sea Grant and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant YouTube pages.Learn more at the link in bio.

Educators—this is for you!
Unlock the potential of Great Lakes education with the latest issue of the Center for Great Lakes Literacy newsletter. Explore exciting opportunities like vessel-based learning, an aquaculture competition, and classroom-ready resources on maritime heritage, harmful algal blooms, invasive species, and more!

Learn more at the link in bio.

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Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 17992595087736811
Educators—this is for you!Unlock the potential of Great Lakes education with the latest issue of the Center for Great Lakes Literacy newsletter. Explore exciting opportunities like vessel-based learning, an aquaculture competition, and classroom-ready resources on maritime heritage, harmful algal blooms, invasive species, and more!Learn more at the link in bio.