A Sustainable Approach to
Coastal Design and Development
The Green Shores project promotes sustainable use of coastal ecosystems through planning and design that recognizes the ecological features and functions of coastal systems.
Green Shores provides options and tools for a wide range of planning, design and construction professionals who are interested in minimizing the environmental impacts of their projects in a cost effective manner. For home owners and communities, the stories, resources and examples presented here can inspire you to make choices that will be beneficial to everyone in the long term.
Find information on frequently asked questions on the jurisdiction of federal, provincial and local governments, the value of a Green Shores approach, and climate change and sea level rise implications for the waterfront landowner.
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The Green Shores phrase and logo are now trademarked and the only Green Shores project is a certified one. Practitioners are welcome to spread the word about Green Shores and say that they are trying to use Green Shores approaches and adhere to the Green Shores principles. However the test of whether the attemp was successful will be up to the Green Shores Certification review panel. Hopefully the rating and certifcation program will be operational in 2010.
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John Harper of the Green Shores Technical Team was facilitating a volunteer team pilot testing the Green Shores Coastal Development Rating System when he discovered this rare herring spawn, the first in a very long time at this location. The spawn was a result of improved habitat and water quality in the area.
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First Coastal Development Rating System Pilot Project Assessment Complete (Dick Murphy Park soft shore protection and riparian restoration project by Pat Harrison)
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There is ongoing demand for examples of Green Shore design ideas - alternatives to hardened methods of shore protection - for a range of shore types and physical settings. To illustrate real life examples, Green Shores is providing an opportunity for design professionals to showcase shoreline projects that incorporate some or all of the Green Shore principles on the Green Shores website. Projects need not be eligible for Green Shores certification, but do need to demonstrate environmentally-sensitive design options. All proposals are subject to review and approval by the Green Shores Technical Working Group, prior to posting on the Green Shores website. Submitted projects may be requested for presentation at upcoming practitioner workshops. Workshop presentations will be posted here as well.
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One important tool for change is our rating system, a market incentive program similar to LEED. This tool is intended for use by designers, builders and owners to guide GREEN SHORES design and assess design performance.
After years of development and peer review the coastal development ratings document is out and we are looking for six pilot projects to test the credits on. Check out the ratings document at www.greenshores.ca under the Certification button on the home page.
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Green Shores Flyer (PDF January 2009)
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There are major challenges in moving towards more environmentally friendly shore development, but also important opportunities to influence the next decade of developments on the coast to reflect the growing awareness that shore structures and developments must be designed in accordance with natural processes.
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NEW - Coastal Development Rating System Pilot Released (PDF)
The Green Shores approach provides an incentive for coastal landowners or land managers to minimize impacts of planned developments or restore coastal ecosystem function near existing developments. We have released an independent rating tool for shore developments and proposed conservation or restoration activities. Properties that exceed minimum criteria are designated as "GREEN SHORES CERTIFIED".
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