NMTA Announces Grow Boating Grants

                

Northwest Marine Trade Association Announces Grow Boating Grants

Funds available for non-profits promoting boating in the Northwest; deadline to apply October 31, 2021

  

SEATTLE – The Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA) is pleased to announce the 2021 grant program for non-profits or for-profit entities applying for a specific grow boating purpose. The grants are being awarded through the NMTA’s Grow Boating program whose mission is to increase the number of boaters and encourage current boaters to boat more often. Since 2003, NMTA has spent nearly $2 million to promote boating in the Pacific Northwest through various events, sponsorships, grants, and programs. The NMTA will award 10 grants of $1,000 each by December 31, 2021.

The application process is now open and closes October 31, 2021. Grants will be announced in December 2021 and funds distributed to grantees in the spring of 2022.  More information about the grant program, types of programs funded, and the application can be found at http://www.nmta.net/grants

NMTA’s Grow Boating program is funded by a portion of space rental fees collected by the association at its Seattle Boat Show each January. Although there was no in-person Seattle Boat Show in 2021, through the Grow Boating committee’s careful stewardship of funds, the program has reserves. The committee felt it was important to continue its grant work and voted to spend from its reserves to fund the 2021 grants.

“We know that many groups and programs were hard hit by COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021, so we’re very pleased to be able to offer these grants to help our valuable community-based organizations continue their amazing programs,” said Karsten McIntosh, NMTA’s Director of Grow Communications.

Applications must fall into one the following categories:

·        Youth Boating Grant

Awarded to a group or organization seeking funding support for an event or program aimed specifically at getting or increasing youth participation in boating activities.

·        Discover Boating Grant

Awarded to a group or organization seeking funding support for an event or program aimed specifically at introducing new people to boating.

·        Boater Education / Safety Grant

Awarded to a group or organization seeking funding support for an event or program aimed specifically at educating new or current boaters on how to be safe on the water.

To apply for a NMTA Grow Boating grant, visit http://www.nmta.net/grants.  For questions, contact Karsten McIntosh at NMTA, karsten@nmta.net  or 206-634-0911.

About the Northwest Marine Trade Association

The NMTA is the nation’s largest regional marine association. It represents more than 700 companies in the recreational boating industry, including boat dealers, boat brokers, marinas, boatyards, manufacturers, retailers and suppliers of boating accessories and services. The NMTA’s mission is to promote the growth of recreational boating and members’ businesses. The NMTA produces the Seattle Boat Show, the West Coast’s largest boat show and the Anacortes Boat and Yacht Show. Additional information is available at www.nmta.net.

Boaters Play Critical Role in Protecting Endangered Whales

 FRIDAY HARBOR, WA. – Labor Day weekend is approaching, the last hurrah for many summer boaters before buckling down for the fall. As scores of vessels take to local waterways over the holiday, it’s an important time to stay vigilant and keep safe on the water. San Juan County’s Department of Environmental Stewardship calls on boaters to act as stewards of our fragile marine ecosystem by adhering to regulations and following Be Whale Wise boating practices for the safety of all in the Salish Sea.

The recent news about our Southern Resident killer whales has been sobering. This summer, we’ve marked a record length of absence for J Pod during peak season – over 100 days. In July, adult male K-21 Cappuccino, the last surviving male of his matriline, was sighted in very poor condition and is now presumed to be dead, bringing the resident population to just 74 whales. Remembrances of J-35 Tahlequah’s journey with her deceased baby in 2018 were another stark reminder of the shockingly rapid changes this endangered population has experienced.

The Southern Resident killer whales face three key threats to their survival: lack of prey (especially Chinook salmon), toxic pollution, and disturbance from vessels. Under these pressures, the whales appear to be shifting their patterns to spend more time outside of their traditional foraging area in the Salish Sea. In light of this, a new federal rule went into effect last month, expanding their protected critical habitat to encompass a total protected area of 18,000 square miles from the Canadian border to Big Sur, California.

With our resident whales facing so much pressure, following the marine laws and Be Whale Wise guidelines is critically important. As you enjoy exploring our waterways, you’ll be certain to encounter many types of whales and other marine mammals who likewise must be protected. And though they’ve been scarce, when the residents do return to our inland waters, they’ll be accompanied by a number of young calves and may need to work even harder to forage together. The whales need guardians on the water to help create a safe space around them. You can be a guardian to the whales by slowing down, observing safety guidelines in the presence of whales, and using the whale warning flag to alert others on the water.

Review the regulations and learn about best practices by watching our instructional video: Boating with Whales in the Salish Sea – What You Need to Know, at https://youtu.be/WySYdl3gxk8. And if you don’t have one yet, get your whale warning flag at www.WhaleFlag.org.

The San Juan County Department of Environmental Stewardship works to preserve fresh water resources, protect the marine environment, and coordinate recycling and solid waste throughout the County by implementing integrated projects and programs in partnership with others. Be Whale Wise is a partnership of governmental agencies, nonprofits and other stakeholders in British Columbia and Washington state to research, implement and educate regarding laws and best vessel practices to protect the unique and fragile marine resources found in the area.
Contact: Dr. Frances Robertson, Marine Program Coordinator Environmental Stewardship San Juan County francesr@sanjuanco.com (360) 370-7592 # #