Awareness of nature-based solutions for shorelines is growing and increasingly reflected in local news.
As a result of climate change, storms are increasing in frequency and severity, and sea levels continue to rise. The consequent threats of severe flooding and erosion pose a grave danger to coastal people, property, and infrastructure. Therefore, understanding and acting upon best practices for coastal protection has become a top priority for scientists, governments, and waterfront property owners alike.
Based on an emerging awareness of the importance of natural shoreline processes to coastal resiliency and the environmental and financial costs of hard armouring, many communities are advocating for the adoption of scientifically supported nature-based approaches to shoreline protection, such as those laid out in SCBC’s Green Shores for Homes and Green Shores for Shoreline Development Credits and Ratings Guides.
In case you missed them, below is a list of ten Canadian news articles published during the past year which discuss Green Shores projects and the benefits of implementing nature-based solutions for shoreline protection and resiliency from coast to coast.
Elphinstone Chronicles: Softening the shores of Bonniebrook, December 10, 2022, Coast Reporter
For many living along Bonniebrook Ocean Beach Esplanade, the threats of climate change are no longer a distant concern; storm surges and rising sea levels have already negatively impacted this adored community space. To address these concerns, the Elphinstone Community Association is exploring the possibility of soft shore protection, further inspired by a community-organized gathering that hosted Kelly Loch, Green Shores Projects Coordinator, to teach about the numerous benefits a Green Shores approach can provide.
Qualicum Beach waterfront project gets $500K grant. March 6, 2023, Parksville Qualicum Beach News
Qualicum Beach has received an additional $500K from the BC Active Transportation Fund to support the redevelopment and enhancement of the Memorial Avenue Waterfront Roundabout. This upgrade will feature a Green Shores marine spit and elevated viewing platform off the separated walkway around the roundabout to oversee Beach Creek Estuary.
Are New Brunswickers ready for nature-based climate solutions? May 21, 2023, CBC
The New Brunswick Environmental Network conducted a survey to gauge the public’s readiness for nature-based solutions to climate change. The survey found that more than half of the respondents were not aware of what nature-based solutions are. However, two-thirds of the respondents favoured nature-based solutions over human-made ones. Nature-based solutions use natural elements to respond to the impacts of climate change and also protect and conserve nature. One example of a nature-based solution would be a living shoreline, which involves incorporating native grasses and low-level brush along the shore, as well as building up the banks with deadwood logs, in an effort to reduce coastal erosion and slow storm surges.
Restoration at Esquimalt Gorge Park. May 21, 2023, Times Colonist
The Esquimalt Gorge Park Green Shores Demonstration Project aims to restore and enhance the natural shoreline habitat along the Gorge Waterway using green infrastructure solutions to reduce the impacts of climate change and improve the health of local ecosystems.
CVRD Green Shores Project receives funding boost. August 15, 2023, My Comox Valley Now
An additional $1.1 million has been provided by the Union of BC Municipalities to the Dyke Road Park Green Shores Demonstration Project located in the Comox Valley Regional District. This project aims to strengthen coastal resilience, preserve Indigenous archaeology, restore habitat, remove invasive species, and stabilize the shoreline.
How Halifax deals with climate change – and what other action is needed. September 26, 2023, CBC
Since post-tropical storm Fiona battered the shorelines of Eastern Canada in the fall of 2022, there has been a building sense of climate anxiety among residents in Halifax. HalifACT, a climate change action plan was published in 2020 outlining many ambitious actions Halifax plans to take to combat climate change impacts. A 5 million-dollar Green Shores shoreline restoration project is one of these actions Halifax is taking starting in 2024 to mitigate erosion, flood risk, and storm surge.
Living shoreline provides living lesson for P.E.I. property owners and watershed groups. October 18, 2023, CBC
Ten volunteer watershed groups have come together across P.E.I. to prepare for the fall and winter storm seasons by implementing living shorelines. These are long-term projects requiring continued restoration and maintenance but have successfully engaged the local community to learn more about the benefits of nature-based shoreline solutions like those being implemented at the demonstration site in Charlottetown.
Let coastlines be coastlines: how nature-based approaches can protect Canada’s coasts. November 17, 2023, Phys.Org Science News
Canadian coasts need the protection from storm surges and flooding offered by nature-based solutions. The current go-to solution of building walls to block wave energy is ineffective and unaffordable. Nature-based approaches, which preserve or reintroduce natural structures and materials into the environment, can be more sustainable and cost-effective in the long term. These approaches range from entirely natural to hybrid solutions, which incorporate traditional hard engineering with natural features. the demonstration site in Charlottetown.
Ecological Society to hold a talk about the Island’s shorelines, people and salmon November 22, 2023, Nanaimo Bulletin
The Yellowpoint Ecological Society hosted a talk by Green Shores Projects Coordinator Kelly Loch in November 2023 to promote awareness of climate change and Green Shores nature-based solutions for shorelines in coastal communities.
Local groups say new funding will help promote living shorelines in N.S. December 3, 2023, CBC
The Government of Nova Scotia has invested over $2.4 million from the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund to seven community-led living shoreline projects across Nova Scotia. In addition to restoring shorelines, education and outreach for homeowners along the coast are being implemented to enhance awareness and uptake of more nature-based solutions.
For more information about Green Shores nature-based solutions, visit our Green Shores webpages and view further blog posts in Green Shores News.
