Calling Waterfront Homeowners!
You May Be Eligible for a Free Green Shores for Homes Shoreline Assessment.
The Stewardship Centre for BC is looking for shoreline property owners on the east coast of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands to participate in the Green Shores for Homes program which promotes nature-based solutions for shoreline protection.
Participating homeowners will receive a free onsite Green Shores Shoreline Assessment from a Green Shores Approved Professional who will detail nature-based options to address site-specific issues, like erosion and flooding, and determine eligibility for a new financial incentives program.
The report is an important tool that can be shared with landscape architects, coastal engineers, and other shoreline professionals to help guide project design and construction. Practical advice for implementing each recommended approach is available to homeowners and their contractors free-of-cost within the Green Shores for Homes Guide.
The report will also inform homeowners and contractors about how to achieve the highest possible Green Shores Project Rating, a testament to their commitment to minimizing the ecological impacts of shoreline development.
Eligibility Criteria:
- The property is on the east coast of Vancouver Island or the Gulf Islands;
- The property is on a marine coast, lakeshore, or along a section of tidally influenced river;
- The homeowner is willing to allow the Stewardship Centre for BC to visit the site to conduct a site assessment;
- There is evidence of erosion and/or flooding along the shoreline;
- The shoreline slope is gradual (less than a 12% grade or 6.25 degrees);
- The shoreline has an average fetch (distance over water undisturbed by land) of less than 20 to 25 kilometres;
- The shoreline consists of highly erodible sediment types (e.g. sand, marsh, or silt shorelines).
If you want to request a free Green Shores Shoreline Assessment for your property, please click the button below, complete the form, and email it to info@stewardshipcentrebc.ca.
Wondering why homeowners are choosing Green Shores nature-based solutions instead of hard armouring?
Nature-based solutions protect property from erosion and flooding, help restore sensitive ecosystems, and are a cost-effective alternative to hard armouring.
Hard armouring (using seawalls, riprap, and bulkheads) was long considered the only solution to combat shoreline risks such as flooding and erosion; however, the tide has turned. Studies have shown that hard armour is expensive and can worsen the risk of erosion and flooding over time. The Green Shores for Homes program encourages nature-based and hybrid alternatives that protect against shoreline risks while restoring shoreline habitat and function and minimizing the impacts of shoreline development.
Nature-based shoreline solutions consider local coastal conditions and incorporate natural materials like logs, rocks, sand, and native vegetation. These approaches protect waterfront properties from erosion and flooding, provide beautiful natural-looking beachscapes, improve beach access and recreation, and enhance habitat and biodiversity, all at a lower long-term cost than hard armouring.
If you want to read more about Green Shores nature-based approaches for shoreline protection and rehabilitation, please explore the information and resources on our website.
