01Apr
The Green Captain’s Guide: How to Make Your Next Boat Ride Eco-Friendly
Welcome back boaters! With March finally in the rearview, and sunnier boating days ahead, it is time to shift our focus to the promising blooms and blossoms of April. Along with April comes many things, rain to nourish our flowers, allergies to tickle our noses, and more importantly-Earth Day! Though Earth Day is limited to the 22nd, it represents an important mission, one that deserves our attention all year round. But, because big changes start small, your friends at the Carefree Boat Club have decided to commit to the mission of Earth-Friendly April, adopting sustainable boating practices and learning new ways to care for the ecosystems we enjoy. Unlike oceans, lakes function as self-contained ecosystems. This means that pollution and environmental damage linger much longer, resulting in what can be irreversible damage to the lakes. Earth-Friendly April starts with us, so let’s take a look at a few simple ways we can minimize our impact, while still enjoying everything the lakes have to offer.
Fulfilling our Earth-Friendly April promise can be done with a few easy steps. First and foremost, as much as we love a cookout on the shoreline, or a tubing day fueled by plenty of snacks, we always want to be sure we leave the lake and its surrounding areas in better condition than we found them. Waste and litter do not belong in the lake, so be sure to come prepared to properly dispose of your waste. Irresponsibly discarded trash, fishing hooks or lines, and cigarette waste pose a severe threat to the wildlife that inhabit the lakes-but don’t worry, we are here to help! Almost every Carefree Boat Club Boat is equipped with a trash bag or trash can, and feel free to ask the dock staff if you need extras. A helpful tip-sometimes a windy boat ride causes litter to blow overboard, so we always recommend you choose tumblers or reusable drinkware (our favorite) for your lake outing!
Caring for the lake also means caring for its shoreline. Intense waves created by boats contribute to the erosion of shoreline and habitat destruction, as well as water pollution from disrupted sediment. We can avoid damaging the shorelines that protect the lake’s ecosystem by abiding by no-wake zones and maintaining the advised low speeds near the shore. Equally as important to the lake’s shoreline is the lakebed. When pulling up an anchor, be sure to lift it straight up from the water, rather than dragging it across the lakebed to avoid disturbing underwater habitats and wildlife.
Every small effort to keep our lakes healthy makes a difference, but if you are looking for even more ways to commit to Earth-Friendly April, look no further! On April 26th, consider participating in the 26th Annual Boone Lake Cleanup Day, and win cash prizes for your trash collecting efforts! Registered participants can enjoy a picnic and live music, so bring the whole family! Click here to learn more.
Our lakes provide us with fun, relaxation, and serenity, but need our help to stay clean and thriving. As the weather begins to warm and the trees shake off their frosty layers, it is the perfect time to reflect upon the responsibility we have to preserve the beauty of the waters we take delight in. Sustainable boating habits are an excellent way to support the mission of Earth-Friendly April, providing us with greener ways to enjoy an afternoon on your favorite Carefree Boat Club boat. Your friends at the Carefree Boat Club are dedicated to integrating environmentally conscious practices within our routines, and we would like to partner with our members in furthering the Earth-Friendly April mission. Let’s join hands and protect our waters!
"Jacob was awesome, and was there to greet us, and was also there to catch us in when we returned. Jacob had cleaned up the boat and had it in good shape for us."
David & Sonya L.
Members Since September 2024