Santa Maria Cup

1. No single-use plastic water bottles were used during the Santa Maria Cup. Sailors brought their own reusable water bottles, and EYC provided on-the-water refills with two boats dedicated solely to providing drinking water and ice. This service was most appreciated by the sailors. The welcome party and awards dinner were held inside the clubhouse and water was served in reusable glassware. 2. No straws were provided during any Santa Maria Cup parties or gatherings. 3. All of the plates, glassware and cutlery used at the SMC functions were reusable ceramic, glass and metal. 4. The welcome bags provided to the sailors were made of reusable/recyclable/compostable brown paper. 5. The Santa Maria Cup trophy is a Waterford crystal bowl, which was purchased from the estate sale of late EYC members who were an avid sailors and regular SMC volunteers. It sits on a wooden base which was crafted by EYC members who call themselves "Fools with Tools." Trophies that were intended to be kept by the winners were pendants designed to be worn as necklaces. 6. EYC proudly displayed a Sailors for the Sea banner during the regatta. The sailing instructions carried SFTS language explaining that this was a clean regatta. EYC has a permanent sign that boaters see when they arrive on shore which says, "Are You Green? We Are!" The sign goes on to list EYC's environmental initiatives, which include maintaining an oyster reef, using native plants, and a permeable parking lot. 7. EYC had the help and participation of several local establishments, including Spin Sheet Magazine, which is our local sailing publication. A reception for the sailors was hosted by Choptank, which is a local restaurant. Another local restaurant, Davis Pub, provided gumbo for the sailors' dinner one evening. 8. In addition to the "Are You Green?" sign and the SFTS banner, EYC displays a plaque stating that we are a Maryland Clean Marina. Our SFTS certifications are permanently displayed on a board in our clubhouse. And one of the entrances to the clubhouse is graced with an Earth Day poster created by one of our Green Team co-chairs. With larger events we display reusable signs to direct people towards our trash/recycle/compost cans and help them figure out what goes where. 9. EYC serves locally sourced food as much as possible. We will soon add blue catfish to our permanent menu. Blue catfish is a delicious but invasive species here, and we are happy to help get it out of the Chesapeake Bay. 10. EYC has a standing Environmental Committee known as the Green Team. We work with the Race Committee to ensure that best environmental practices are in effect on the water, and also with folks who plan the parties afterwards. And we have the full help and cooperation of the club staff, who are dedicated to keeping the club operations as environmentally friendly as possible. During the off season the Green Team brings in monthly speakers on a variety of environmental issues. These talks are open to all club members and their guests. We also sponsor Kids on the Creek every summer, which brings local kids in for a day of fun on the water with a bit of environmental education. 11. Bins for trash and recyclables were placed in the clubhouse for every event. Since the events were relatively small, they were all held indoors and bussed by the club staff. All cutlery, dishes and glassware were reusable, and food scraps were composted, as are all food scraps at EYC. 12. EYC has a standing contract with a local compost company. All food waste from the Santa Maria Cup was composted, as is all food waste at EYC. 13. EYC's Race Committee uses only online registration and payment for all of its regattas. Sailing instructions are posted only online, as are all race documents. 14. We did not hold a marina clean-up in conjunction with the Santa Maria Cup regatta, but members and staff are always encouraged to pick up any trash they see on club property. The Green Team recently purchased several fishing nets to keep on the docks so that any trash in the water can be removed easily. 15. EYC was the first yacht club in Maryland to be designated a Clean Marina. This certification is renewed every year. We have an oil spill clean-up kit next to the water, and we maintain a pump out facility. Our permeable parking lot reduces runoff, as do rain barrels and thoughtfully chosen and placed landscaping. 16. EYC is very active in efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay's oyster population. Underneath our docks is a living wave wall. Divers place spat-covered concrete triangles on the wall every year. We also grow oysters in cages under our docks, and every summer the mature oysters are taken out and placed on an oyster reef in the Severn River. We call this "Oyster Liberation Day" and involve kids who are in our summer sailing program. We also have a spot near the entrance to our club where anyone can drop off oyster shells. These are used to make new oyster habitats. The EYC Green Team also regularly monitors the water quality around the club and makes the findings available to club members and to the Spa Creek Conservancy and the Severn River Association. 17. EYC provides vegan and vegetarian options in its dining room. At the SMC awards banquet tacos were served and vegetarian fillings were offered. 18. EYC is has bike racks on the property and has sidewalks around to make walking easy. Many of the members live in the surrounding neighborhood of Eastport, and many of the SMC sailors and referees stayed in members' homes and walked to and from the club every day. For members and guests coming to the club by water there are floating docks for canoes, paddleboards and kayaks. 19. As noted above, sailors (and many of the volunteers) did not need to relay on cars to get to and from the regatta. Committee boats turned their engines off while at anchor. Only committee boats with Deisel or efficient four stroke engines are used for clean regattas at EYC. 20. We hope that all the participants and volunteers at the Santa Maria Cup were aware of EYC's efforts to run a clean, environmentally friendly event and that they observed practices there that can be duplicated at other clubs and other events. And EYC is always looking towards improving our efforts. Besides the fishing nets described above, the Green Team has recently purchased new cans for trash and recycling with clear signage to help people know what goes where. Environmental responsibility is something that EYC has always taken seriously, and we will carry that responsibility into the future.