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

Looking for engaging, place-based literacy resources this school year? The Great Lakes: Our Freshwater Treasure by Barb Rosenstock is a beautifully illustrated dive into the geology, ecology, and history of our Great Lakes—perfect for sparking curiosity in learners of all ages.

📖 Learn more at the link in bio.

#GreatLakes #BookRecommendation #TeachingTuesdays

@brosenstock

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Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 17875930941421859
Looking for engaging, place-based literacy resources this school year? The Great Lakes: Our Freshwater Treasure by Barb Rosenstock is a beautifully illustrated dive into the geology, ecology, and history of our Great Lakes—perfect for sparking curiosity in learners of all ages. 📖 Learn more at the link in bio.#GreatLakes #BookRecommendation #TeachingTuesdays@brosenstock

Shorelines never stop moving.

Our new video series, Shaping the Shoreline, shows how water levels, waves, storms, sediments, and structures like revetments, seawalls, and groins shape the Great Lakes coast.

Clear, quick videos designed for coastal decision makers and anyone curious about coastal change.

Watch now at the link in bio.

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Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 18049876724637954
Shorelines never stop moving.Our new video series, Shaping the Shoreline, shows how water levels, waves, storms, sediments, and structures like revetments, seawalls, and groins shape the Great Lakes coast.Clear, quick videos designed for coastal decision makers and anyone curious about coastal change.Watch now at the link in bio.
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