California’s Boating Clean and Green Program and its partners are offering free volunteer opportunities, workshops and seminars on ways to help keep California’s waterways clean. Motivated individuals with a willingness to learn and an ability to convey important environmental messages are encouraged to participate. Space is limited; pre-registration is required for all opportunities.

California has one of the highest levels of recreational boating activity in the nation. With 1,100 miles of coast, hundreds of navigable rivers, lakes, and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, there are ample recreational opportunities for the state’s approximately four million boaters. Given the large number of recreational boats in the state, even a small amount of pollution from a fraction of the boats can cause serious harm to marine fish and wildlife. It is important for boaters to always implement safe and clean boating practices.

“Learning and implementing environmental practices that will help to keep California’s waterways free from potential sources of boat pollution, such as oil, fuel, sewage, trash and marine debris and aquatic invasive species is not only a responsible behavior but will also help future generations to enjoy clean waterways,” said California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways’ Deputy Director Lynn Sadler. “We hope that the public and boating facility operators take advantage of these free educational resources and learning opportunities to make a difference.”

Below is a list of this year’s training and information workshops. To register or volunteer, please contact Boating Clean and Green Program Coordinator Vivian Matuk via e-mail or at (415) 904-6905. Detailed information can also be found at www.BoatingCleanandGreen.com.

Become a Dockwalker
Volunteer Dockwalkers help increase and improve clean boating practices throughout the state. Individuals distribute boaters kits, containing education information and pollution prevention tools, to boaters at marinas, boat launch ramps, boat shows, popular boating areas and etc. Hours spent training and educating the public may qualify as community service. Trainings will be held March through early May 2017.

Visit the Dockwalker web page to view the training schedule and locations. Check the volunteer videos and view what Dockwalkers are saying about the program.

Partners: Bay Foundation, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadrons, Save Our Shores, Lake Berryessa Partnership and many more organizations.

Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Workshops
Workshop participants gain an understanding of the impacts aquatic invasive species (AIS) have on the economy and the environment, and learn how to prevent their further spread into other waterways. AIS, such as quagga mussels, can have significant impacts to water delivery systems, hydroelectric facilities, agriculture, boating, fishing and the environment. Recreational activities, including boating and fishing, can spread AIS from infested waters to uninfected waters.

Training classes will be held in Discovery Bay, Stockton and Benicia. Visit the program’s website for further information.

Partners: California Coastal Commission, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Oil Spill Response Seminars for California Marinas and Yacht Clubs
Marina and yacht club operators learn proper oil spill response techniques. As waterfront stakeholders, these individuals possess extensive local waterway and boating knowledge, making them valued resources when responding to oil spills. Seminars will cover information on:

• California’s oil spill response structure
• Office of Spill Prevention and Response Equipment Grants
• Third party claim process
• General information on oil spill kits for boating facilities
• Marinas and Yacht Clubs Spill Response Communication Packet
• Tools and resources available to increase communication capabilities between boating facilities and offices of emergency services during oil spills

Seminars will be held in Lake Tahoe and Los Angeles County. Only need to attend one.

Key presenters: Representatives from the CDFW, California’s Boating Clean and Green Program and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.

California’s Boating Clean and Green Program is an education and outreach program conducted by California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways and the
California Coastal Commission. The program promotes environmentally-sound boating practices to marine businesses and recreational boaters. For more information, please visit www.BoatingCleanandGreen.com.