State Parks and Coastal Commission invite community members to help protect waterways through clean boating education
California State Parks and the California Coastal Commission’s Boating Clean and Green Program, in partnership with The Bay Foundation, are inviting community members to help protect the state’s waterways by joining the 2026 Dockwalker Program.
The volunteer-driven program connects trained Dockwalkers with recreational boaters across California, promoting safe and environmentally responsible boating practices through face-to-face education and the distribution of California Boater Kits.
Dockwalkers visit marinas, boat launches and boating events to raise awareness about best practices related to oil, fuel, sewage, trash and marine debris. Volunteers distribute educational materials and provide boaters with a California Boater Kit after they complete and sign a questionnaire pledging to adopt clean boating practices.
Free virtual and in-person Dockwalker trainings are scheduled to begin in March and will continue through May. Participation in the program, including training sessions, qualifies as community service hours.
California ranks among the highest states in the nation for recreational boating activity. With approximately 4 million boaters statewide, even small amounts of pollution from individual vessels can accumulate and cause significant harm to waterways, marine life and wildlife habitats. Since its launch in 2000, the Dockwalker Program has trained more than 1,400 volunteers who have shared clean boating information with more than 130,000 boaters across the state.
“Dockwalkers make up an incredible statewide force that effectively interacts with recreational boaters through face-to-face education about clean boating practices. This method of communication, in addition to the distribution of educational California Boater Kits, has proven to be a powerful way to keep California’s waterways clean,” said Vivian Matuk, manager of the California State Parks and Coastal Commission’s Boating Clean and Green Program.
Program leaders say the person-to-person approach is key to its success. The California Boater Kit is designed to encourage boaters to implement at least one recommended best management practice. Questionnaires collected during the process help refine and improve future educational efforts.
“The California Boater Kit and its components are specifically designed to prompt boaters to take action and implement at least one of the program’s recommended best management practices. Boaters receive a boater kit after completing and signing a questionnaire and pledge to adopt clean boat boater practices. Questionnaires help to improve future education efforts in the Dockwalker program. Dockwalkers are appreciative of the dynamic program and their ability to bring an effective pollution-prevention strategy into their own communities,” Matuk said.
Anyone 15 years of age or older with an interest in water quality and sharing clean boating information is eligible to become a Dockwalker, regardless of background or boating experience. Many volunteers are boaters themselves, lending peer credibility to the program and creating what organizers describe as a bit of “pier pressure” to encourage environmentally sound practices.
Marinas and yacht clubs are also encouraged to participate. Facilities that join the program receive educational tools to operate a clean boating facility and minimize water quality impacts. Participation contributes points toward the Clean Marine designation and can count toward Club of the Year nominations under the community service category. Yacht clubs and marinas play a vital role in directly reaching boaters and reinforcing clean boating messages.
Safety-focused organizations such as the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadrons also benefit from the Dockwalker Program, as it supports their ongoing boating safety missions and expands outreach efforts.
The program’s success relies on strong partnerships with organizations including The Bay Foundation’s Division of Boating and Waterways Clean Vessel Act Program, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, the U.S. Power Squadrons, Save Our Shores, Lake Berryessa Partnership and others committed to preserving California’s waterways.
Those interested in becoming a Dockwalker or learning more about the program, including volunteer testimonials, can visit boatingcleanandgreen.com/dockwalkers for additional information.
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