Partner: Ecology Action Centre

Location: Halifax, NS

Climate change will be particularly impactful on coastal properties, as they face the dual risk of erosion and flooding from extreme storm events. In Nova Scotia, this is a major issue because 70 percent of residents live within 60 km of the coast.

Runoff from rain events carries soil and pollutants into adjacent water. This runoff can cause flood damage in homes and impact the health of nearby waterbodies. To prevent these problems, the Ecology Action Centre will build a rain garden on a coastal property.

The rain garden will raise awareness about the impact of rainwater running unchecked over land. The issue is especially serious in urban areas, where the rain carries soil and pollutants into adjacent water. Rain gardens  in urban areas trap and absorb precipitation allowing it to infiltrate into the ground. This reduces risk of property damage and also keeps watercourses and the ocean healthier.

Project update (July 2014)

• Developed a community of practice with 30 experts who work in universities, government and consulting in related areas such as coastal geology, coastal land-use planning, and coastal ecology/restoration, as well as students and young professionals in these areas;
• Held a site selection tour of top 4 sites on July 19th where 20 people attended;
• St. Mary’s Boat Club was selected as the official site; McCormack’s Beach will serve as a secondary site for demonstrating the cost-effectiveness of leaving the coast to function naturally.

CCAP and the Ecology Action Centre are also working to prevent coastal erosion. Visit the Living Shorelines project page to learn more.