Running Environmentally Sustainable Clubs and Events Kate Fortnam Campaign Manager info@thegreenblue.org.uk
Overview The RYA and The Green Blue sustainability team Sustainability in recreational boating Sustainable clubs Resources Sustainable events Sustainable Event toolkit
THE RYA ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY TEAM
IMPORTANCE OF SUSTAINABLE RECREATIONAL BOATING RYA AIM: Maintain and promote safe, responsible recreational boating Maintain our freedom of access, reduce red tape. Increasingly important to members + RYA - Safeguard the waters we sail in and the wildlife + habitats we share it with. - As boaters we don t want to sail in unclean, unsafe and visually degraded waters. Not be left behind lead in sustainable boating Corporate Environment + Social Responsibility
DISCUSSION: What are the environmental sustainability issues for clubs?
What are the environmental sustainability issues for clubs? Greywater discharge or runoff Black water discharge (sewage) Chemicals/toxins waste e.g. cleaning products and antifoul paint Oil and fuel use General Waste management food, plastics, paper Invasive Non-Native Species Wildlife disturbance and habitat impacts Protected Areas e.g. SSSI, MCZs etc.
Good DISCUSS: Practice Good Practice for Clubs? Pick two environmental issues - discuss how your clubs have or could approach these issues to minimise disturbance and impacts on our environment?
Examples of Good Practice at Clubs/Centres 1: Plastic Free Club Royal Victoria Yacht Club - aiming to be a plastic free club 2: Beach Cleans Lee on Solent Sailing Club Uni Sailing Clubs 3: Biosecurity Grafham Water SC Shrimp Alley Chew Valley SC Biosecurity Policy 4. Education Notts County SC Ran The Green Blue s CSI activity with young sailors at family sailing week.
What resources are available for clubs/centres? 1. RYA Website: Online Environmental Advice: www.rya.org.uk/go/environment 2. The Green Blue website: There will be a new version in 2019
What resources are available for clubs/rtcs? 3. Club/Centre Environmental Self-Assessment In summary: A checklist to see what your clubs is currently doing and could do to be more sustainable. Covers topic areas listed below: Raising Awareness to members, staff and customers Waste Management Biosecurity Wildlife + Habitat Appreciation Club and Boat Maintenance e.g. antifouling good practice Oil and Fuel Use Water Use Energy Use Contact The Green Blue to request the assessment at @info@thegreenblue.org.uk
What resources are available for clubs? 4. Posters: For example - How to green your Dinghy/Yacht/RIB/Windsurfer
What resources are available for clubs? 5. Comms. Graphics + Videos: Sustainable boating top-tip email footers, club newsletter graphics, Video good practice guides for club/centre website + social media
What resources are available for clubs/centre? 6. Instructor Resources + Training: Sustainable Boating Activities - 14 onshore + on water games to do with young sailors. Sustainable Boating Pocket Cards Quiz questions around environment and boating to build instructor and their students knowledge of good practice. Instructor Environmental Awareness Training builds instructors knowledge of enviro issues facing boating + how to pass on environmental good practice to students on RYA courses.
7. The Green Blue s Green Guides The Green Guide for Clubs The Green Guide to Check Clean Dry for Inland Clubs The Green Guide to Inland or Coastal Boating Green Wildlife Guide for Boaters
RUNNING A SUSTAINABLE EVENT What are the environmental sustainability issues within events?
DISCUSS: 1. Identify two environmental issues/impacts associated with boating events. 2. What enviro good practice can an event adopt and facilitate to minimise these two impacts?
What are the environmental sustainability issues within events? Race course - Marker buoy locations Litter + Waste e.g. Decals Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) Wildlife disturbance Oil and fuel use Chemicals in cleaning products Catering Transport
Examples of Good Practice at Events 1: Event Biosecurity Burfield SC, Grafham Water SC, Chew Valley and various University Sailing Club venues washdown facilities + communicate with participant before + during the event. 2: Environmental Awareness Raising + Plastic Free Event Island Barn SC RS Aero sailing event 3: Course Route - Marker Buoy locations East Downs YC Strangford Lough MCZ Club worked with Department of Environment to pre-plan position of marker buoys to avoid protected mussel beds. GIS positioning of three potential windward marks for the race on the day of event as bouy s had to be pre-authorized.
RYA Sustainable Event Toolkit Commissioned in 2018, roll out in 2019. Establish a set of best practices for sustainable events. Clubs can apply for RYA Star Event Accreditation. Guidance for achieving ISO20121 for larger events.
SUSTAINABLE EVENT TOOLKIT CONTENTS
Quick Start Priorities to Take Away Today APPOINT EVENT SUSTAINABILITY COORDINATOR Seek guidance + advice from the RYA s Environment and Sustainability Team. PUBLIC COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY Environmental Statement + Policy RECRUIT + TRAIN GREEN VOLUNTEERS To help plan, set up and assist on the day COMMUNICATION To participants and attendees on sustainability policy + messages and available facilities before + during event BIOSECURITY Prevent spread + Intro of Invasive Species set up signage + washdown area for crafts to be cleaned. PROTECTED AREAS Think Wildlife + Habitats - Race Course + proximity to PAs - Litter REDUCING USE OF RESOURCES Catering + Products Single Use Plastics Food Go Paperless WASTE COLLECTION + DISPOSAL Recycling bins available
What resources do you want from RYA/TGB? What good practice has your club already adopted that we can share with others? What would help your club and events become more sustainable?