Marinas in Door and Kewaunee County have been recognized by the Wisconsin Clean Marina program in the last two weeks. SkipperBud’s Harbor Club Marina in Sturgeon Bay was recertified this week as a Wisconsin Clean Marina, showing that it has maintained clean-boating techniques since its initial certification in 2010. Harbor Club Assistant Manager Taylor Eggener said in a press release, “The biggest improvement we have made is trying to educate our fellow boaters and water enthusiasts on what they can do to help protect our waterways.”  The Wisconsin Clean Marina Program is a voluntary program, committing to adopting the best management practices in order to reduce pollution and improve water quality.

The program’s first step is to sign the pledge to become a Wisconsin Clean Marina program and then employ best practices. The City of Kewaunee Marina took the pledge last week. 

For staff to be fully certified as a Wisconsin Clean Marina, ports must get checked and meet a certain amount of qualifications on a checklist. Other Door County marinas have taken the pledge. This is the program’s first expansion into Kewaunee County. Wisconsin Clean Marina Program Director Theresa Qualls hopes they continue both on the shoreline and inward.

Some practices that gained popularity in recent years are constructing pollinator gardens, rain gardens, and reducing plastic wastes. The list of pledged and certified marinas in Kewaunee and Door County can be found through this link.