The Environmental Committee is actively planning our 2023 clean regatta season, caring for baby oysters in our marina, hosting special lectures and organizing an exciting Earth Day Celebration. Join us by volunteering to help with our hands on efforts and/or participate in our interesting lectures and fun events.
The month of March was busy for the committee. We raised the oyster cages in the marina and cleaned/dunked them – a process which will now occur every two weeks until we place them on the Severn River Reef in July. We also continued to assess the growth of our oyster reef/wave wall under our docks.
On March 22, Kate Fritz, Executive Director and CEO of the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, gave an engaging presentation on “The Importance of Community Involvement in Chesapeake Bay Restoration: Acting Locally on Regional Issues.” Kate shared information about the Alliance and ways we can positively impact the health of our local rivers and streams to be part of the pollution solution in the Chesapeake Bay!

On Wednesday, April 19, the Environmental Committee and Cruise Committee will sponsor a presentation by Polar Explorers Matthew Rutherford (2021 Cruising Club of America “Young Voyager of the Year” award winner) and Nicole Trenholm (UMCES-based oceanographic researcher). The presentation will be preceded by a 5:30 p.m. reception with no-cost heavy hors d’oeuvres generously provided by EYC member Greg Walker and a cash bar.

Their 7:00 p.m. presentation in the EYC Conference Room will describe the planning, preparation, and equipping of their 75-foot steel schooner, R/V Marie Tharp and their recent adventures in Greenland over the summer of 2022 under the banner of 501(3)(c) non/profit The Ocean Research Project. For more information and registration click here.
For Earth Day 2023 (Saturday, April 22), the Environmental Committee has teamed with the House Committee and Family Committee to plan a major all-EYC event on the back lawn and first floor of the Club, with music, kid-friendly arts & craft stations, and lots of high-quality Earth Day themed art on display. The event is titled “Earth Day 2023: Celebrating the Earth and the Bay through Art” and will include local folk and jazz musicians on stage throughout the event, some of whom are EYC members.
The main event will be a gallery display of art work, photographs, and crafts contributed by EYC members. There will also be a silent auction of earth day themed items and an area where selected vendors can display and sell theme-supporting art. A cash bar on the aft deck, oysters on the half shell and club specials will make it fun. The event will occur rain or shine. If you are interested in displaying your artwork and/or crafts, please register here.
Our Clean Regatta season will begin the end of this month with the Santa Maria Cup (April 30-May 4). We have been working closely with the regatta committee to make this major international women’s sailing event a Sailors for the Sea Platinum-Level Clean Regatta. The goal is to implement 20 best practices including: elimination of single use items, community involvement, responsible waste management, environmental stewardship and green boating.
Hopefully, this regatta will be a great starting point for a full season of fun-filled races recognized by the international “Sailors for the Sea” program.