(Excerpts from Surfrider’s Ocean Friendly Gardens Program)

Most people do not really have the ocean in mind while they are working on their backyards.  After all, what does a garden have to do with the ocean? For those of us living in the coastal areas, urban runoff is often the primary source of ocean pollution. Moving and cleaning water uses lots of energy, which can contribute to climate change and sea level rise. Gardens can also be a source of air pollution and yard waste, which can make their way into the ocean.

But gardens can be beautiful, resourceful, wildlife-friendly and prevent runoff. Veggie gardens can do this, too. Here’s how – The Ocean Friendly Gardens (OFG) Program educates and assists people in ”applying CPR – Conservation, Permeability and Retention – to revive our watersheds and oceans:”

Conservation of (a) water, (b) fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, (c) energy (moving & cleaning water use lots of energy), (d) wildlife habitat and (e) reduced use of gas-powered maintenance machinery (air pollutants) and yard waste through native or climate-appropriate plants, spaced with their mature size in mind.

Permeability through healthy, biologically active soil, and utilizing materials for – or making a cut in – driveways, walkways and patios that allow water to percolate into the soil.

Retention devices like rain chains, rain barrels and rain gardens retain water in the soil for the dry seasons or save it to water veggies, preventing it from running off the property.

Surfrider provides a number of workshop programs to help those who are interested in making their gardens more ocean friendly.

OFG Program Components:

Basic Classes: are organized by Surfrider Foundation chapters and are taught by landscape professionals. They are the first step in the program to learn the basic components for developing a successful garden.

Hands on Workshops (HOWs): offer an opportunity to train OFG Basic Class attendees, Surfrider members, other NGOs, government and landscape professionals in sustainable landscaping principles and practices.

Garden Assistance Programs (GAPs): provide hands-on help to assist people in creating an OFG.

Lawn Patrol: takes its name from Dawn Patrol, the early-morning check of waves done by surfers to see if it’s worth going out. Lawn Patrol is a neighborhood walk, led by a person familiar with OFGs, that’s open to anyone who wants to develop an understanding of what makes an OFG.

For more information about this fabulous program, visit Surfrider’s Ocean Friendly Gardens program website here.

Surfrider will be on hand at the Boat Show and Green Expo this year to answer all your questions.

Here’s a list of things you can do to help prevent accidents and water pollution during foul weather:

• Check weather condition on a marine band radio at 162.55 MHz, or 162.40 Mhz, on a local US Coast Guard or commercial radio station that gives weather updates or visit www.dbw.ca.gov
• Wear your lifejacket. Maintain a safe speed and proceed with with caution.
• Head for the nearest shore that is safe to approach.
• Head the bow into the waves at about a 40 degree angle. Watch for floating debris.
• Keep bilge free of water. Shift to full fuel tank if vessel is equipped with dual fuel tanks.
• If your engine fails, anchor the boat.
• Secure portable containers, paint cans, petrochemicals, cleaners and other loose items that could spill and pollute.

Tips provided by California Department of Boating and Waterways.
www.dbw.ca.gov

Boating has never been so GREEN, on a Duffy Electric boat there is no gas or oil required, running purely on a 48 volt electric engine which powers the propeller, steering system, and operating system. The boat is powered by 100% electricity, with zero emissions, and protecting your waterways. Just plug into an outlet overnight and be ready for up to 10 hours on average of continuous use. Duffy Electric Boats are a wonderful alternative to gas powered motors for enjoying cruising on the local waterways and lakes. Silky smooth and whisper quiet, it’s the classy alternative to polluting, loud and offensive outboards. Your family, friends and even your senses will thank you! Not only does a Duffy eliminate pollution to both the air and water but also eliminates a lot of the costs associated with boating.
A large majority of the boating world uses their boats to just cruise at slow speeds and enjoy the experience of being on the water. If you used a Duffy Electric boat instead of a gas powered engine to get around your local waterways then you would not only be saving money but you would eliminate any contribution to the on going issue of oil and other chemical pollutants in our water.

It’s not just a boat, it’s a lifestyle. Cruising in a safe, green, clean and quiet Duffy Electric Boat is like having your own limo on the water.

For more information about these cool boats, visit Duffy’s Website.

http://www.danaboatshow.com/?p=671

More and more boats are coming into market with alternative fuels. Look at this Solar Dinghy. It is the first boat to incorporate solar power into its construction.

A skiff 11.2 ft long that employs an electric motor ran by a 12 volt battery and charged by 100 watt of solar panels. They are incorporated into the construction of the hull.

The design was taken from a wooden boat of the 1930′s. A mold for production was built with updates to add to its reliability. The new boat is built out of hand laid fiberglass and trimmed in mahogany.

This project started two years ago, with redesign and testing in Newport Bay. The boat is light, weighing only 180 lbs. without the motor and battery. The battery weighs 50 lbs. each, and motor weighs 18 to 20 lbs.

It will carry 600 lbs. or two adults and two children at a speed of 4 to 5 knots, making it a great tender, or quiet fishing boat.

If you are interested in further information regarding this Solar Dinghy, contact solardinghy@aol.com

1. Prevent oily discharges from the bilge. Keep your engine well tuned to prevent fuel and oil leaks. Secure an oil absorbent pad or pillow in your bilge and under your engine where drips may occur. Check the pads often, do not let them clog the bilge pump, and dispose of them as hazardous waste at a marina or local hazardous waste collection center.
2. Spill-proof your oil changes. For oil changes, use an oil change pump to transfer oil to a spill-proof container. Wrap a plastic bag or absorbent pad around the oil filter to prevent oil from spilling into the bilge.
3. When fueling, stop the drops! Prevent fuel spills by filling fuel tanks slowly and using absorbent pads or rags to catch drips and spills. Don’t “top off” or overflow your fuel tank. Leave the tank 10% empty to allow fuel to expand as it warms.
4. Do not add soap. Never use soap to disperse fuel and oil spills. It increases harm to the environment, and it is illegal.
5. Minimize boat cleaning and maintenance in the water. If possible, save maintenance projects for the boatyard. When performing work on the water minimize your impact by containing waste. Use tarps and vacuum sanders to collect all drips and debris for proper disposal.
6. Reduce toxic discharges from bottom paints. Minimize the discharge of heavy metals found in soft-sloughing antifouling paints by using a less toxic, or nontoxic antifouling paint. Use only non-abrasive underwater hull cleaning techniques to prevent excessive paint discharge. Remember, dry storage reduces the need for antifouling paints and saves money.
7. Dispose of hazardous waste properly. Dispose of paints, batteries, antifreeze, cleaning products, oil, oil filters and other hazardous wastes at a hazardous waste collection facility or event.
8. Plan A-head! Manage sewage wastes properly. Never discharge sewage within 3 miles of shore. Use harbor pump-out stations and shore-side facilities. If you don’t have an installed toilet, use a port-a-potty and empty it at a harbor dump station or bathroom.
9. Stow it, don’t throw it! Keep your trash on board. Never throw cigarette butts, fishing line, or any other garbage into the ocean. Take advantage of shore-side facilities to recycle plastic, glass, metal, and paper.
10. Reduce Greywater discharges. Use a phosphate-free biodegradable soap to minimize the impacts of greywater on the marine environment. Also minimize discharge by doing dishes and showers on shore whenever possible.

Content courtesy of www.earth911.com

How do you know if your marina is a Clean Marina? Here are some simple signs.

1. Ask the marina if they are a certified as a Clean Marina by the Clean Marina Initiative, which is promoted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. Individual states, like California, also have green marina initiatives that certify marinas who practice sustainability and environmental safety. Clean Marinas in California can be identified by this burgee or decal.

Clean Marina Logo for California

The purpose of the California Clean Marinas Program is to encourage marinas and yacht clubs to use Best Management Practices in order to prevent or reduce pollution in our waters.

Here is a list of all the certified marinas in California: Certified Clean Marinas

2. Take a walk around the docks. You’ll notice if the marina encourages clean and green practices by observing what’s on the docks. Notice any paints or cleaning products that may be toxic?

3. Take a look at the water. Well, this sounds simple and obvious, but the water is a good indicator as to how clean and green your marina really is. A clean marina should provide guidelines for preventing and handling spills, including the use of spill pads. Check the docks for spill pads, pillows, socks or other absorbent materials that are readily available for spills that may occur.

Dana Point Harbor’s marinas are certified under the California Clean Marina programs, and The County of Orange, in partnership with the City of Dana Point and Dana Point businesses, operates a free Bilge Pad Exchange Program to preserve and enhance the quality of the marine environment at Dana Point Harbor. This exchange program provides conveniently located collection points for used bilge pads and distributes free replacement bilge pads.  For more information on this program: www.danapointharbor.com/BilgePad.html.

A Certified Clean Marina is always a great resource to any vessel owner who wish to use greener boating practices.

Reduce — Reducing means to cut down on how much stuff we buy and use less, which coincidentally will save you money.

Reuse – Instead of throwing something out, try to use it for another purpose, donate old items to charity or sell it!

Recycle – As a last option, recycle it. Whether it’s paper, plastic, glass or aluminum, just take a moment and keep these items separate so they can be recycled.

Check out a video of singer, Jack Johnson, teaching some kids about the 3 R’s with a catchy song.

Here are some more simple ideas to get you started on the road of living a greener life.

• Reduce the amount of water you use by simply turning off that faucet when you brush your teeth or shave! Or just keep a glass or cup by the sink, and use that instead of keeping the water running as you brush.
• Reduce the number of plastic bags by using a cloth bag or other types made out of durable materials when you shop. And it doesn’t have to be just at the grocery store! Bring the bag to the shopping mall! Try to keep a few of these bags in your car, so you’ll always have one handy!
• Reduce the amount of energy you use by putting a lid on the pan when you’re boiling water. You’ll end up saving money on your energy bill!
• Turn off the lights when no one is in the room.
• Look for Less Packaging — Of all the garbage we generate, 1/3 is packaging that gets thrown away immediately. Buy in bulk or concentrate form when possible, and avoid excessive packaging layers.
• Avoid disposable products such as juice boxes or single serving snacks. Since almost all products require some packaging, choose ones with packaging that is recyclable. (Tip provided by “OC Waste & Recycling”)
• You know those containers for cottage cheese, butter spreads, etc? Wash them out and reuse them as food containers! (Learned this trick from my own mother, thanks Mom!)
• Try to look for items made with recycled materials.
• Got used toner or ink cartridges? Send them back to the manufacturer for recycling! They often come with a return mailing label. Won’t cost you a cent!

The list can go on and on. It is only limited by your imagination. Next time when you are about to make a purchase, throw something out, or just going about your daily routine, remember that catchy little song by Jack Johnson. Reduce, reuse, recycle….