Soft shorelines in Atlantic Canada - Waterfront property owner

Development impacts (e.g. habitat loss, pollution) are affecting the health of and ecological services provided by shorelines across Canada.

Green Shores® is a program based in British Columbia that actively promotes the implementation of natural shorelines in developed areas by providing science-based tools, a certification system, and guidance around best practices to minimize the impacts of new developments and restore shoreline ecosystem function of previously developed sites.

The Stewardship Centre for British Columbia and Natural Resources Canada have launched a project to assess the potential of extending the Green Shores® program to Atlantic Canada.

We would like your help to assess this opportunity. By completing this survey of 11 questions you can help customize Green Shores® to the needs of Atlantic Canada. The survey will take about 10 minutes to complete. We will keep individual responses confidential. The survey closes on March 4, 2020.

For further information, please contact DG Blair, Executive Director of the Stewardship Centre for BC (dg@stewardshipcentrebc.ca).

Question Title

* 1. In which jurisdictions do you own waterfront property or properties? Select all that apply.

New Brunswick

Newfoundland and Labrador

Nova Scotia

Prince Edward Island

Other Parts of Canada

International locations

Question Title

* 2. Is your waterfront property in urban or rural areas?

Urban areas

Rural areas

I own property in urban and rural areas

Note #1: Soft armouring, also known as soft shoreline approaches and living or natural shoreline protection, uses natural materials (e.g., plants, sand, wood, and rocks) to protect and stabilize a shoreline edge. This approach contrasts with hard armouring, which uses traditional shoreline protection structures such as vertical concrete seawalls, dikes and bulkhead systems.

Question Title

* 3. How important to you are the following shoreline-development concerns?

	Extremely unimportant	Unimportant	Neither important nor unimportant	Important	Extremely Important
Algae blooms	Algae blooms Extremely unimportant	Algae blooms Unimportant	Algae blooms Neither important nor unimportant	Algae blooms Important	Algae blooms Extremely Important
Cost of maintaining protective structures	Cost of maintaining protective structures Extremely unimportant	Cost of maintaining protective structures Unimportant	Cost of maintaining protective structures Neither important nor unimportant	Cost of maintaining protective structures Important	Cost of maintaining protective structures Extremely Important
Lack of wildlife habitat	Lack of wildlife habitat Extremely unimportant	Lack of wildlife habitat Unimportant	Lack of wildlife habitat Neither important nor unimportant	Lack of wildlife habitat Important	Lack of wildlife habitat Extremely Important
Loss of shoreline access	Loss of shoreline access Extremely unimportant	Loss of shoreline access Unimportant	Loss of shoreline access Neither important nor unimportant	Loss of shoreline access Important	Loss of shoreline access Extremely Important
Pollution from shoreline development	Pollution from shoreline development Extremely unimportant	Pollution from shoreline development Unimportant	Pollution from shoreline development Neither important nor unimportant	Pollution from shoreline development Important	Pollution from shoreline development Extremely Important
Property value	Property value Extremely unimportant	Property value Unimportant	Property value Neither important nor unimportant	Property value Important	Property value Extremely Important
Reduced coastal biodiversity	Reduced coastal biodiversity Extremely unimportant	Reduced coastal biodiversity Unimportant	Reduced coastal biodiversity Neither important nor unimportant	Reduced coastal biodiversity Important	Reduced coastal biodiversity Extremely Important
Saltwater intrusion of wells	Saltwater intrusion of wells Extremely unimportant	Saltwater intrusion of wells Unimportant	Saltwater intrusion of wells Neither important nor unimportant	Saltwater intrusion of wells Important	Saltwater intrusion of wells Extremely Important
Sea-level rise	Sea-level rise Extremely unimportant	Sea-level rise Unimportant	Sea-level rise Neither important nor unimportant	Sea-level rise Important	Sea-level rise Extremely Important
Seasonal and/or storm surge flooding	Seasonal and/or storm surge flooding Extremely unimportant	Seasonal and/or storm surge flooding Unimportant	Seasonal and/or storm surge flooding Neither important nor unimportant	Seasonal and/or storm surge flooding Important	Seasonal and/or storm surge flooding Extremely Important
Shoreline erosion	Shoreline erosion Extremely unimportant	Shoreline erosion Unimportant	Shoreline erosion Neither important nor unimportant	Shoreline erosion Important	Shoreline erosion Extremely Important
Water quality	Water quality Extremely unimportant	Water quality Unimportant	Water quality Neither important nor unimportant	Water quality Important	Water quality Extremely Important
Waterfront insurance rates	Waterfront insurance rates Extremely unimportant	Waterfront insurance rates Unimportant	Waterfront insurance rates Neither important nor unimportant	Waterfront insurance rates Important	Waterfront insurance rates Extremely Important

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 4. There is a good scientific basis for incorporating natural features into shoreline development and the benefits that these features bring. How important to you are the following benefits to adopting soft shoreline approaches?

	Extremely unimportant	Unimportant	Neither important nor unimportant	Important	Extremely important	Don't know
Soft shoreline approaches make shorelines accessible, eliminating drop-offs and walls.	Soft shoreline approaches make shorelines accessible, eliminating drop-offs and walls. Extremely unimportant	Soft shoreline approaches make shorelines accessible, eliminating drop-offs and walls. Unimportant	Soft shoreline approaches make shorelines accessible, eliminating drop-offs and walls. Neither important nor unimportant	Soft shoreline approaches make shorelines accessible, eliminating drop-offs and walls. Important	Soft shoreline approaches make shorelines accessible, eliminating drop-offs and walls. Extremely important	Soft shoreline approaches make shorelines accessible, eliminating drop-offs and walls. Don't know
Soft shoreline approaches make shorelines more secure against erosion and flooding.	Soft shoreline approaches make shorelines more secure against erosion and flooding. Extremely unimportant	Soft shoreline approaches make shorelines more secure against erosion and flooding. Unimportant	Soft shoreline approaches make shorelines more secure against erosion and flooding. Neither important nor unimportant	Soft shoreline approaches make shorelines more secure against erosion and flooding. Important	Soft shoreline approaches make shorelines more secure against erosion and flooding. Extremely important	Soft shoreline approaches make shorelines more secure against erosion and flooding. Don't know
Soft shoreline approaches protect against rising sea levels	Soft shoreline approaches protect against rising sea levels Extremely unimportant	Soft shoreline approaches protect against rising sea levels Unimportant	Soft shoreline approaches protect against rising sea levels Neither important nor unimportant	Soft shoreline approaches protect against rising sea levels Important	Soft shoreline approaches protect against rising sea levels Extremely important	Soft shoreline approaches protect against rising sea levels Don't know
Soft shoreline approaches can be used on a variety of shoreline types.	Soft shoreline approaches can be used on a variety of shoreline types. Extremely unimportant	Soft shoreline approaches can be used on a variety of shoreline types. Unimportant	Soft shoreline approaches can be used on a variety of shoreline types. Neither important nor unimportant	Soft shoreline approaches can be used on a variety of shoreline types. Important	Soft shoreline approaches can be used on a variety of shoreline types. Extremely important	Soft shoreline approaches can be used on a variety of shoreline types. Don't know
Soft shoreline approaches beautify shorelines.	Soft shoreline approaches beautify shorelines. Extremely unimportant	Soft shoreline approaches beautify shorelines. Unimportant	Soft shoreline approaches beautify shorelines. Neither important nor unimportant	Soft shoreline approaches beautify shorelines. Important	Soft shoreline approaches beautify shorelines. Extremely important	Soft shoreline approaches beautify shorelines. Don't know
Soft shoreline approaches add native vegetation and wildlife habitat.	Soft shoreline approaches add native vegetation and wildlife habitat. Extremely unimportant	Soft shoreline approaches add native vegetation and wildlife habitat. Unimportant	Soft shoreline approaches add native vegetation and wildlife habitat. Neither important nor unimportant	Soft shoreline approaches add native vegetation and wildlife habitat. Important	Soft shoreline approaches add native vegetation and wildlife habitat. Extremely important	Soft shoreline approaches add native vegetation and wildlife habitat. Don't know

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 5. How familiar are you with the following soft shoreline techniques for shore development?

	Not at all familiar (I’ve never heard of it)	Slightly familiar (I’ve heard of it but never seen it applied)	Moderately familiar (I’ve heard of it and seen it applied by others)	Very familiar (I’ve heard of it and have adopted it on the property that I own/manage)	Extremely familiar (I teach or provide professional services to support its application)
Beach nourishment, restoration or construction	Beach nourishment, restoration or construction Not at all familiar (I’ve never heard of it)	Beach nourishment, restoration or construction Slightly familiar (I’ve heard of it but never seen it applied)	Beach nourishment, restoration or construction Moderately familiar (I’ve heard of it and seen it applied by others)	Beach nourishment, restoration or construction Very familiar (I’ve heard of it and have adopted it on the property that I own/manage)	Beach nourishment, restoration or construction Extremely familiar (I teach or provide professional services to support its application)
Boardwalks for crossing over sensitive ecosystems	Boardwalks for crossing over sensitive ecosystems Not at all familiar (I’ve never heard of it)	Boardwalks for crossing over sensitive ecosystems Slightly familiar (I’ve heard of it but never seen it applied)	Boardwalks for crossing over sensitive ecosystems Moderately familiar (I’ve heard of it and seen it applied by others)	Boardwalks for crossing over sensitive ecosystems Very familiar (I’ve heard of it and have adopted it on the property that I own/manage)	Boardwalks for crossing over sensitive ecosystems Extremely familiar (I teach or provide professional services to support its application)
Dune and wetland construction	Dune and wetland construction Not at all familiar (I’ve never heard of it)	Dune and wetland construction Slightly familiar (I’ve heard of it but never seen it applied)	Dune and wetland construction Moderately familiar (I’ve heard of it and seen it applied by others)	Dune and wetland construction Very familiar (I’ve heard of it and have adopted it on the property that I own/manage)	Dune and wetland construction Extremely familiar (I teach or provide professional services to support its application)
Removal or modification of structures that impede longshore sediment movement	Removal or modification of structures that impede longshore sediment movement Not at all familiar (I’ve never heard of it)	Removal or modification of structures that impede longshore sediment movement Slightly familiar (I’ve heard of it but never seen it applied)	Removal or modification of structures that impede longshore sediment movement Moderately familiar (I’ve heard of it and seen it applied by others)	Removal or modification of structures that impede longshore sediment movement Very familiar (I’ve heard of it and have adopted it on the property that I own/manage)	Removal or modification of structures that impede longshore sediment movement Extremely familiar (I teach or provide professional services to support its application)
Restoration and construction of (nearshore) reefs and berms	Restoration and construction of (nearshore) reefs and berms Not at all familiar (I’ve never heard of it)	Restoration and construction of (nearshore) reefs and berms Slightly familiar (I’ve heard of it but never seen it applied)	Restoration and construction of (nearshore) reefs and berms Moderately familiar (I’ve heard of it and seen it applied by others)	Restoration and construction of (nearshore) reefs and berms Very familiar (I’ve heard of it and have adopted it on the property that I own/manage)	Restoration and construction of (nearshore) reefs and berms Extremely familiar (I teach or provide professional services to support its application)
Retention and placement of stumps and logs as protective features	Retention and placement of stumps and logs as protective features Not at all familiar (I’ve never heard of it)	Retention and placement of stumps and logs as protective features Slightly familiar (I’ve heard of it but never seen it applied)	Retention and placement of stumps and logs as protective features Moderately familiar (I’ve heard of it and seen it applied by others)	Retention and placement of stumps and logs as protective features Very familiar (I’ve heard of it and have adopted it on the property that I own/manage)	Retention and placement of stumps and logs as protective features Extremely familiar (I teach or provide professional services to support its application)
Shore vegetation preservation	Shore vegetation preservation Not at all familiar (I’ve never heard of it)	Shore vegetation preservation Slightly familiar (I’ve heard of it but never seen it applied)	Shore vegetation preservation Moderately familiar (I’ve heard of it and seen it applied by others)	Shore vegetation preservation Very familiar (I’ve heard of it and have adopted it on the property that I own/manage)	Shore vegetation preservation Extremely familiar (I teach or provide professional services to support its application)
Use of native riparian vegetation as landscape features	Use of native riparian vegetation as landscape features Not at all familiar (I’ve never heard of it)	Use of native riparian vegetation as landscape features Slightly familiar (I’ve heard of it but never seen it applied)	Use of native riparian vegetation as landscape features Moderately familiar (I’ve heard of it and seen it applied by others)	Use of native riparian vegetation as landscape features Very familiar (I’ve heard of it and have adopted it on the property that I own/manage)	Use of native riparian vegetation as landscape features Extremely familiar (I teach or provide professional services to support its application)

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 6. There are a number of existing programs that promote sustainable shoreline development. How familiar are you with the following programs?

	Not at all familiar (I’ve never heard of it)	Slightly familiar (I’ve heard of it but never seen it applied)	Moderately familiar (I’ve heard of it and seen it applied by others)	Very familiar (I’ve heard of it and have adopted it on the property that I own/manage)	Extremely familiar (I teach or provide professional services to support its application)
Blue Flag	Blue Flag Not at all familiar (I’ve never heard of it)	Blue Flag Slightly familiar (I’ve heard of it but never seen it applied)	Blue Flag Moderately familiar (I’ve heard of it and seen it applied by others)	Blue Flag Very familiar (I’ve heard of it and have adopted it on the property that I own/manage)	Blue Flag Extremely familiar (I teach or provide professional services to support its application)
Green Shores	Green Shores Not at all familiar (I’ve never heard of it)	Green Shores Slightly familiar (I’ve heard of it but never seen it applied)	Green Shores Moderately familiar (I’ve heard of it and seen it applied by others)	Green Shores Very familiar (I’ve heard of it and have adopted it on the property that I own/manage)	Green Shores Extremely familiar (I teach or provide professional services to support its application)
Grey to Green Shorelines	Grey to Green Shorelines Not at all familiar (I’ve never heard of it)	Grey to Green Shorelines Slightly familiar (I’ve heard of it but never seen it applied)	Grey to Green Shorelines Moderately familiar (I’ve heard of it and seen it applied by others)	Grey to Green Shorelines Very familiar (I’ve heard of it and have adopted it on the property that I own/manage)	Grey to Green Shorelines Extremely familiar (I teach or provide professional services to support its application)
Living Shorelines	Living Shorelines Not at all familiar (I’ve never heard of it)	Living Shorelines Slightly familiar (I’ve heard of it but never seen it applied)	Living Shorelines Moderately familiar (I’ve heard of it and seen it applied by others)	Living Shorelines Very familiar (I’ve heard of it and have adopted it on the property that I own/manage)	Living Shorelines Extremely familiar (I teach or provide professional services to support its application)
Shore Friendly	Shore Friendly Not at all familiar (I’ve never heard of it)	Shore Friendly Slightly familiar (I’ve heard of it but never seen it applied)	Shore Friendly Moderately familiar (I’ve heard of it and seen it applied by others)	Shore Friendly Very familiar (I’ve heard of it and have adopted it on the property that I own/manage)	Shore Friendly Extremely familiar (I teach or provide professional services to support its application)
Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines (WEDG)	Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines (WEDG) Not at all familiar (I’ve never heard of it)	Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines (WEDG) Slightly familiar (I’ve heard of it but never seen it applied)	Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines (WEDG) Moderately familiar (I’ve heard of it and seen it applied by others)	Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines (WEDG) Very familiar (I’ve heard of it and have adopted it on the property that I own/manage)	Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines (WEDG) Extremely familiar (I teach or provide professional services to support its application)

Other (please specify)

Note #2: Green Shores® is an initiative of the Stewardship Centre for BC (SCBC), with a vision to support Canada’s marine and lake waterfront communities in minimizing impacts of shoreline development and climate change, while preserving or enhancing shoreline ecology and ecosystem services.

To fulfill its vision, the Green Shores program offers i) education and training, ii) support for local governments through a dedicated working group, and iii) a shoreline project enrollment, credit and rating system for projects on commercial, residential (including single-family, multi-family and subdivisions), institutional and park properties.

Question Title

* 7. From your perspective, what would discourage adoption of the Green Shores® approach to shoreline projects? Rate each of the following factors (with 1 being least discouraging and 5 most discouraging).

	1 (least discouraging)	2	3	4	5 (most discouraging)
Cost of shoreline assessments (a pre-requisite to apply Green Shores®)	Cost of shoreline assessments (a pre-requisite to apply Green Shores®) 1 (least discouraging)	Cost of shoreline assessments (a pre-requisite to apply Green Shores®) 2	Cost of shoreline assessments (a pre-requisite to apply Green Shores®) 3	Cost of shoreline assessments (a pre-requisite to apply Green Shores®) 4	Cost of shoreline assessments (a pre-requisite to apply Green Shores®) 5 (most discouraging)
Project design costs (engineering, landscaping, etc.)	Project design costs (engineering, landscaping, etc.) 1 (least discouraging)	Project design costs (engineering, landscaping, etc.) 2	Project design costs (engineering, landscaping, etc.) 3	Project design costs (engineering, landscaping, etc.) 4	Project design costs (engineering, landscaping, etc.) 5 (most discouraging)
Permitting issues	Permitting issues 1 (least discouraging)	Permitting issues 2	Permitting issues 3	Permitting issues 4	Permitting issues 5 (most discouraging)
Lack of information about Green Shores®	Lack of information about Green Shores® 1 (least discouraging)	Lack of information about Green Shores® 2	Lack of information about Green Shores® 3	Lack of information about Green Shores® 4	Lack of information about Green Shores® 5 (most discouraging)
Lack of demonstrated success (e.g., no one you know has applied it)	Lack of demonstrated success (e.g., no one you know has applied it) 1 (least discouraging)	Lack of demonstrated success (e.g., no one you know has applied it) 2	Lack of demonstrated success (e.g., no one you know has applied it) 3	Lack of demonstrated success (e.g., no one you know has applied it) 4	Lack of demonstrated success (e.g., no one you know has applied it) 5 (most discouraging)
Lack of local service providers (engineers, construction contractors) capable of applying Green Shores® approaches	Lack of local service providers (engineers, construction contractors) capable of applying Green Shores® approaches 1 (least discouraging)	Lack of local service providers (engineers, construction contractors) capable of applying Green Shores® approaches 2	Lack of local service providers (engineers, construction contractors) capable of applying Green Shores® approaches 3	Lack of local service providers (engineers, construction contractors) capable of applying Green Shores® approaches 4	Lack of local service providers (engineers, construction contractors) capable of applying Green Shores® approaches 5 (most discouraging)

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 8. From your perspective, what would encourage adoption of the Green Shores® approach to shoreline projects? Rate each of the following factors (with 1 being least encouraging and 5 being most encouraging).

	1 (least encouraging)	2	3	4	5 (most encouraging)
Access to expertise in shoreline project design	Access to expertise in shoreline project design 1 (least encouraging)	Access to expertise in shoreline project design 2	Access to expertise in shoreline project design 3	Access to expertise in shoreline project design 4	Access to expertise in shoreline project design 5 (most encouraging)
Changes in regulations and permitting that make it easier to implement the Green Shores® approach	Changes in regulations and permitting that make it easier to implement the Green Shores® approach 1 (least encouraging)	Changes in regulations and permitting that make it easier to implement the Green Shores® approach 2	Changes in regulations and permitting that make it easier to implement the Green Shores® approach 3	Changes in regulations and permitting that make it easier to implement the Green Shores® approach 4	Changes in regulations and permitting that make it easier to implement the Green Shores® approach 5 (most encouraging)
Demonstration sites	Demonstration sites 1 (least encouraging)	Demonstration sites 2	Demonstration sites 3	Demonstration sites 4	Demonstration sites 5 (most encouraging)
Financial incentives	Financial incentives 1 (least encouraging)	Financial incentives 2	Financial incentives 3	Financial incentives 4	Financial incentives 5 (most encouraging)
Free shoreline assessments	Free shoreline assessments 1 (least encouraging)	Free shoreline assessments 2	Free shoreline assessments 3	Free shoreline assessments 4	Free shoreline assessments 5 (most encouraging)
Free workshops for homeowners and shoreline professionals	Free workshops for homeowners and shoreline professionals 1 (least encouraging)	Free workshops for homeowners and shoreline professionals 2	Free workshops for homeowners and shoreline professionals 3	Free workshops for homeowners and shoreline professionals 4	Free workshops for homeowners and shoreline professionals 5 (most encouraging)
Increase in public awareness/education	Increase in public awareness/education 1 (least encouraging)	Increase in public awareness/education 2	Increase in public awareness/education 3	Increase in public awareness/education 4	Increase in public awareness/education 5 (most encouraging)
More information about how to implement the Green Shores® approach	More information about how to implement the Green Shores® approach 1 (least encouraging)	More information about how to implement the Green Shores® approach 2	More information about how to implement the Green Shores® approach 3	More information about how to implement the Green Shores® approach 4	More information about how to implement the Green Shores® approach 5 (most encouraging)
Public recognition for obtaining Green Shores® certification	Public recognition for obtaining Green Shores® certification 1 (least encouraging)	Public recognition for obtaining Green Shores® certification 2	Public recognition for obtaining Green Shores® certification 3	Public recognition for obtaining Green Shores® certification 4	Public recognition for obtaining Green Shores® certification 5 (most encouraging)

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 9. Would you be interested in participating in a training program to learn more about the Green Shores® program?

Not at all interested

Interested in Level 1 Training – general training about shoreline ecology and governance, with a brief introduction to Green Shores’® credit and rating program.

Interested in Level 2 Training – in depth training about Green Shores’® credit and rating systems and how to implement them in shoreline management programs.

Interested in Level 1 and 2 Training

Question Title

* 10. Would you be interested in staying informed about implementation of a soft shoreline program such as Green Shores® in your jurisdiction(s) of Atlantic Canada? If yes, please include your contact information.

Name

City/Town

Province

Email Address

Phone Number

Question Title

* 11. Do you have anything else to share? Maximum 100 words.

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey.

For more information about the Green Shores® program or the results of this survey, please contact DG Blair, Executive Director of the Stewardship Centre for BC (dg@stewardshipcentrebc.ca).