Ladysmith Maritime Society Marina (LMSM) is BC’s latest marina to be certified under Georgia Strait Alliance’s (GSA) Clean Marine BC (CMBC) program for their environmental best practices. The designation recognizes industry leading marinas, harbour authorities, yacht clubs, and boatyards that meet GSA’s rigid environmental standards.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to recognize Ladysmith Maritime Society Marina with Clean Marine BC certification”, says GSA’s Executive Director Christianne Wilhelmson. “Ladysmith Maritime Society has shown a strong commitment to sound environmental practices that protect our cruising waters. They can be proud that the work they are doing is having a tangible, positive impact on the marine environment.”
Ladysmith Maritime Society Marina will receive their Clean Marine BC flag and certification during a special presentation at Dine on the Dock night on June 19th.
“We are thrilled to have been given the distinction of three anchor certification under the Clean Marine BC program”, says Rod Smith, Ladysmith Maritime Society’s Managing Director. “For our not-for-profit Society it is recognition that we are on the right path – a path that we believe will lead to a better marine experience for everyone, boaters and non-boaters. We see working with GSA and our sister marinas in the program as a powerful opportunity for positive change in our marine environment now and for future generations.”
LMSM members are dedicated to putting their environmental best practices to work in other areas as well. Through their environmental award winning efforts, the population of the Western Purple Martin is recovering from near extinction – from five breeding pairs in 1985 to over 500 pairs during a recent count. LMS cooperates with the BC Purple Martin Stewardship & Recovery Program by attaching nest boxes to dock pilings, watching for spring arrival of Purple Martins, counting adult birds, and banding nestlings.
Ladysmith Maritime Society has also campaigned vigorously for years to find solutions to the problem of derelict and abandoned vessels in Ladysmith Harbour. These vessels pose environmental contamination and safety risks, and are visual eyesores. They may end up adrift or washed ashore. Often they sink, releasing fuel and other toxins into the marine environment putting marine life and habitat at risk, creating danger for mariners and beachgoers, and damaging shoreline facilities.
Clean Marine BC is a voluntary environmental recognition program for marinas, harbour authorities, yacht clubs, and boatyards. Launched by GSA in 2007, the program helps boating facilities to improve upon and achieve excellence in environmental best practices. CMBC continues to grow, with a 23% increase in participation in the program in the last year; thirteen certified members representing nineteen marinas, yacht clubs, boatyards and wharfs are now part of the program. Another fourteen facilities have adopted the Clean Marine BC policy and are working towards certification.
Georgia Strait Alliance
Formed in 1990, Georgia Strait Alliance is the only conservation group working to protect and restore the marine environment and promote the sustainability of Georgia Strait, its adjoining waters and communities, the place where 75% of British Columbians live, work and play. The June 19th event will offer an opportunity to learn more about GSA’s marine conservation work and to celebrate the organization’s 25 years of protecting the Strait for future generations.
– 30 –
For more information, contact:
Christianne Wilhelmson, Executive Director
(604) 862-7579
christianne@georgiastrait.org