Getting Started with Green Shores® for Shoreline Development (GSSD)
What is the Green Shores for Shoreline Development Certification?
Green Shores for Shoreline Development (GSSD) is a program of the Stewardship Centre for BC that applies to shore protection works in both marine and lakeshore environments.
GSSD applies to multi-family residential development projects, waterfront infrastructure development (such as public walkways), and parks and recreational areas.
Green Shores designs support nature-based solutions to protect shoreline infrastructure and make shorelines more adaptable to increasing risks of erosion, climate change, and floods. Shoreline properties that meet the GSSD design standard have better shoreline access, biodiversity values and can be more beautiful, functional and resilient compared to conventional shoreline protection with hard armour.
Green Shores for Shoreline Development project at Jericho Beach Park in Vancouver, BC.
GSSD provides a credits and ratings format that is built on a similar format to green building rating programs such as Built Green™ and LEED™. Some GSSD credits are adapted from LEED Canada and the US Green Building Council (LEED for Neighbourhoods or LEED ND), and others have been developed specifically to meet Green Shores principles. After meeting GSSD prerequisites, a project is assessed against a series of credits for which the project can achieve points. A certain number of points can earn a Bronze, Silver, or Gold rating.
The GSSD program is voluntary and relies on support from industry, government, non‐government organizations, building owners and the building sector for its adoption. By being voluntary, the system is able to incorporate leadership and innovation into its framework, allowing development professionals concerned with environmental issues to differentiate themselves in the marketplace.
Green Shores for Shoreline Development Principles
From the start of the project, GSSD encourages adoption of sustainability principles in the design process, which includes:
- A strong vision and commitment on the part of the client and the project team.
- The use of lifecycle thinking which requires the team to consider the impacts of the project over its entire lifecycle. This goes beyond initial cost consideration and provides clarity on the actual long‐term cost of a project.
- The use of whole system thinking which recognizes the interactions and relationships between different components and systems within a project and ensures that they work together.
- An in‐depth understanding of the ecology, geomorphology, coastal or lake processes of the site in order to take advantage of landscape features during early project planning. Taking advantage of the site’s natural features reduces local impact and can avoid costs of development and infrastructure otherwise needed to overcome environmental challenges.
Who can use Green Shores?
Green Shores for Shoreline Development can be used by:
- Property owners, developers, real estate industry– Organizations with a vested financial interest in shore property, associated buildings and their operation.
- Professionals and professional associations – Professionals and firms offering services such as building and landscape architecture, coastal, shoreline, water resources and geotechnical engineering, surveying, and biological assessment.
- Construction contractors – Firms and industry associations involved in construction of shore structures such as docks and piers, shore protection, and dredging.
- Non-profit organizations– Organizations with a special interest in shoreline environments and management issues.
- Planners, regulators and elected officials– Federal, provincial and local governments involved in planning, policy, and management of marine coastal and lakeshore areas.
How Do I Get Started with a GSSD Project?
- Become familiar with the program! Visit our Green Shores website, learn about the program and find inspiration on the Green Shores Case Studies page featuring certified Green Shores for Homes and Green Shores for Shoreline Development projects in British Columbia.
- If you choose to have your project enrolled in the GSSD program, visit the Green Shores Enrollment Download and fill out the project enrollment form and get access to additional information, project assistance and a third-party verification that provides credibility to your project outcomes.
- Once your application is received, the Green Shores Projects Coordinator will arrange a site visit and work with you to assemble a team of qualified shoreline professionals, including Green Shores Approved Professionals. As a team you will discuss options for Green Shores on your property and find out what training options are available to you.
- Next, your Green Shores team of shoreline professionals will help you design and implement the Green Shores nature-based project. This will involve collecting background information and completing the project pre-requisites listed in the Green Shores for Shoreline Development Credits and Ratings Guide.
- For Green Shores projects located within the Ministry of Forests West Coast Region of Vancouver Island can potentially use the Expedited Permit Checklist for nature-based projects. This step can save time and costs.
- When the work is complete, the Green Shores Projects Coordinator will assign a Green Shores verifier who will review your documentation and the completed shoreline design to assign points to your project. Points are awarded under different credits, outlined in the Green Shores for Shoreline Development Credits and Ratings Guide. Depending on the number of points achieved, your project can receive Bronze, Silver or Gold certification!
Interested in getting started?
Check our Green Shores resources or contact us at info@stewardshipcentrebc.ca. Find out about completed Green Shores for Homes projects on our Case Studies page.
