How to Design Effective Shoreline Access

Shoreline access is important to all those who visit, play or work on shorelines. Well-managed access also protects the environmental values of shorelines. For many communities, shorelines provide vital spaces for harvesting traditional foods like clams and oysters – and access to these resources impacts the ability for First Nations to carry out traditional harvests and management. Additionally, the beauty and openness of these areas contribute to overall health and well-being (Five Surprising Benefits of Nature-based Shorelines).

Shorelines are generally considered accessible to all citizens in Canada as they fall within “Crown” jurisdiction. Under the Nature-based Shoreline Project Checklist process available through the Province of BC, the restoration project design has to provide the following:

“Members of the public must be able to readily go around or cross over any constructed structures along the foreshore, i.e., access along the foreshore should not be impeded. Overall, the objective is to provide improved public access to the shoreline.”

The question of the importance of having free access to coastal shores is prominent across Canada. For example, in Nova Scotia, shoreline access is discussed in a Coastal Access Project podcast, ”Right of Way .” The podcast explores the issue of coastal access through the stories of property owners, communities, scientists, policymakers, environmental activists, surfers, and hikers.

Picture Credit: The Nova Scotian podcast "Right of Way" goes on a deep dive exploration of coastal access and jurisdictions limiting people's use of shorelines and the benefits they provide. Cover artwork by Laura Bonga.

Other programs, such as Shore Friendly in Washington State, require consideration of safe and reasonable access for all potential users (resource: Shoreline Master Programs Handbook: Chapter 9).

Considerations for Designing Effective Access

The Stewardship Centre for BC’s Green Shores® program provides guidance on nature-based solutions for shoreline properties. Among its many recommendations, shoreline access design is a key consideration, balancing ecological preservation with public and private needs. Homeowners and communities can refer to the Green Shores for Homes Credits and Ratings Guide (Credit 2.7, pages 93-95) for detailed insights. Owners and managers of public and commercial shoreline properties can refer to the Green Shores for Shoreline Development Guide for further guidance on shore-friendly access (Credit 2, pages 45-50).

A well-designed access route should protect the ecological integrity of riparian zones – the transitional areas in between the upland areas and the adjacent lake, river, stream or ocean. Shoreline access should also be designed to provide safe and reasonable entry while respecting homeowners’ privacy. Remember that unmanaged pet access can disturb wildlife, particularly nesting birds, pollinators and sensitive ecosystems.

Best practices for shoreline access include:

How does habitat-friendly beach access support salmon?

  • By keeping your beach pathway narrow, you are allowing more of your shoreline property to be vegetated with shrubs, trees and salt tolerant grasses, which means more food for salmon! Terrestrial insects will fall from the greenery into the water, providing a tasty snack for salmon passing by.

Photo by Fernando Lessa

Example of shoreline access

See below for examples of Green Shores for Homes projects with good access design and features that demonstrate best practices. Visit the Stewardship Centre for BC's Green Shores for Homes Case Studies page for more examples.

A. Prospect Lake, Saanich

• The walkway includes a narrow, flat-rock path interspersed with native grasses, which connects to an untreated wood dock. The dock has spaces between the boards that allow natural light penetration to benefit aquatic plants and organisms below.

• Extensive riparian vegetation, including overhanging shrubs and trees, was retained for shade, temperature regulation, and habitat diversity.

B. Portage Road, Saanich

• The pathway was created with minimal width through the native riparian vegetation, to protect habitat and biodiversity. The walkway is surfaced with natural materials, and there is no artificial lighting.

• Shrubs and trees were retained to enhance habitat and stabilize the shoreline.

• The entire riparian area is protected under a legally established conservation covenant.

C. Agate Lane, Saanich
  • The pathway is non-linear and made of  untreated wood materials;
  • Riparian vegetation was infilled with native plants and is protected from foot traffic both to and from the shoreline;
  • No artificial lighting was installed along the path.
D. Songhees Walkway Pocket Beach Green Shores for Shoreline Development project: Victoria
  • The public pathway is made of solid and yet permeable material, allowing for water infiltration and stability for wheeled carts,  walkers and strollers to access the shoreline. This was important for the cultural use of this shoreline by the Songhees Nation with their traditional canoes.
  • There is no artificial lighting, and the pathway integrates well with the natural shoreline edge.

E. Nile Road, Qualicum Bay

Minimal vegetation diversity;
Linear shoreline allows high water migration inland, particularly during storm events;
Non-linear pathway infilled with native vegetation;
Path is made of permeable material, allowing water infiltration and decreasing overland runoff;

Conclusion

Shorelines are special places that people and wildlife use and enjoy. By integrating these thoughtful design principles, we can ensure shoreline access benefits people while preserving the ecological and cultural richness of marine and lake shores. For more details, explore Green Shores and the Resilient Coasts for Salmon Nature-based Solutions for Climate Change - Resilient Coasts for Salmon project website to discover how sustainable shoreline management can work for you!

Cover image from SCBC's Green Shores for Homes project Agate Lane in Saanich, BC. Photo Credit Kelly Loch.

All photographs in the 'Examples of Shoreline Access' section by Kelly Loch, Stewardship Centre for British Columbia.

Monitoring Shorelines

Why Monitor Your Shoreline?

Monitoring shorelines allows waterfront homeowners and property managers to keep track of changes to the shoreline and adjacent property and to see how restored shorelines respond to storms. Restoration professionals recommend monitoring before and after any development or restoration to evaluate the effectiveness of restoration efforts, to observe ecological change over time, and to determine if any site maintenance is necessary. This information can be used to adapt the design for better performance and revise its application in future projects. Monitoring can help identify erosion risks, track sediment loss, and assess the effectiveness of shoreline protection against rising sea levels and flooding.

Documented Benefits of Nature-based Solutions from Monitoring Studies

Several scientific studies have monitored nature-based shoreline (NBS) designs to document how resilient these systems are to disturbance and how well they perform over time. For example, a study in Florida found that three living shorelines persisted through extreme weather events. They absorbed up to 28% of wave impact during hurricanes, and saw a five-fold increase in vegetated areas within two years of restoration. Similarly, monitoring of a living shoreline design in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, showed that the nature-based shore design withstood a tropical storm with minimal erosion. Of note, the storm washed out walking paths along the waterfront - except for the section protected by the living shoreline, which remained in excellent condition. One study found that a naturalized shoreline gained four times more sediment than it lost.

Monitoring has also shown how NBS designs can help remove excess nitrogen from the environment that might otherwise cause algal blooms; this protects the diversity and richness of aquatic organisms like shrimp and fish, benefiting ecosystem health and function (Onorevole et al., 2018; Shinn et al., 2025, Smith et al., 2024). Monitoring has also shown increases in native vegetation cover on restored shorelines, reductions in invasive plant density, and increased activity of native and at-risk wildlife on naturalized shorelines (Tower et al., 2023).

Photo credit: Kelly Loch

How to Monitor Your Waterfront Shoreline

Waterfront homeowners can learn how to monitor their shoreline using the Green Shores for Homes Monitoring Guide, developed by the Stewardship Centre for BC and TransCoastal Adaptations: Centre for Nature-based Solutions as part of the Green Shores® program. This guide offers practical advice for both homeowners and professionals and can help develop long-term records to track the performance of nature-based solutions.

As a homeowner, you will find helpful “how-to” descriptions, checklists for shoreline maintenance and landscape activities, and notes on reducing water runoff and maintaining septic systems to protect the ecological integrity of the shoreline and adjacent aquatic environment. While some technical monitoring requires trained professionals (such as assessing habitat for species at risk or shoreline profile changes using specialized equipment), homeowners can perform other monitoring activities, such as taking photos at set viewpoints.

Example of monitoring activities for waterfront homeowners

1. Wildlife Monitoring

One of the exciting ways to note changes in the ecological function of your shoreline is by monitoring wildlife and migratory birds near your home. You might only need a pair of binoculars and a phone to observe wildlife and track your observations. You can make records in a document such as a spreadsheet or an app like iNaturalist or Merlin. By taking photos, you are helping create records that can be used to assess change over time, and joining a community of citizen scientists who can help identify what you find!

Forage Fish Monitoring

If you are looking to participate in more widespread monitoring, you can volunteer as part of the Coastal Forage Fish Monitoring Network (CFFN). Depending on your location, you can volunteer with the following organizations, who are part of the CFFN: Project Watershed, Peninsula Streams and Shorelines, and MABBRI, among others!

Photo Credit: Jake Dingwall

2. Photo-point monitoring

Taking pictures from the same location across years is a great way to document vegetation growth, beach erosion and impacts of extreme weather events.

We recommend taking photos of your site:

1) before restoration,

2) after completing restoration and

3) at periodic intervals in the future.

An example of photo monitoring conducted as part of a Green Shores for Homes project, and the information that was recorded during the survey. Photo by Kelly Loch, Stewardship Centre for B.C.

The gallery above is an example of photo point monitoring of a Green Shores for Homes project in Qualicum bay, B.C. The photo on the left was taken before Green Shores for Homes nature-based restoration; the photo in the middle was taken just after restoration was completed in 2016; and the photo on the right was taken as part of monitoring of 2022. Monitoring with photos helps to document changes n native plant growth, as well as changes in the accumulation of sediment and organic material on the shoreline. Photos by Kelly Loch, Stewardship Centre for B.C.

Shoreline Monitoring through the Resilient Coasts for Salmon project

The Resilient Coasts for Salmon project is developing monitoring plans for three Green Shores for Shoreline Development demonstration projects on Vancouver Island: Songhees Walkway Pocket Beach, Dyke Road Park, and Esquimalt Gorge Park. The Songhees Walkway will be the first site to undergo monitoring, and results will be shared with the public. To stay updated on shoreline monitoring efforts and project developments, sign up to receive the Resilient Coasts for Salmon e-news updates.

How does shoreline monitoring support Pacific salmon?

  • Monitoring of the shoreline can give you a rich understanding of the importance of coastal habitats. As a CFFN volunteer, you can gain firsthand knowledge on which shorelines are used as spawning habitats by forage fish species, which are an important food source for Pacific salmon, humpback whales, and more!
  • By monitoring your shoreline regularly, you can respond to changes in the habitat, ensuring that those resources are available for migrating salmon.

Conclusion

Monitoring shorelines is key to successful restoration efforts, improving coastal resilience, and protecting ecosystems. By tracking changes over time, homeowners and professionals can ensure that nature-based solutions remain effective, adapt to environmental shifts, and support biodiversity. The Resilient Coasts for Salmon project highlights the value of ongoing shoreline monitoring, providing data that strengthens restoration practices and benefits both communities and wildlife. With simple tools like the Green Shores for Homes Monitoring Guide, everyone can play a role in preserving healthy shorelines for the future.

Additional Resources

Naturalizing Shorelines

By naturalizing shorelines, waterfront homeowners can protect their property, embrace environmental stewardship, and invite nature into their backyards.

Naturalized shorelines provide a range of benefits, including shoreline stabilization, habitat restoration for wildlife, ecosystem health and biodiversity, filtering of aquatic pollutants, climate resiliency, improved shoreline aesthetic, access to recreational opportunities and financial savings in shoreline maintenance. Check out the article Five Surprising Benefits of Nature-based Shorelines to read more!

Naturalized shorelines benefit waterfront homeowners by protecting their shorelines from erosion and floods, supporting ecosystem health and the natural aesthetic of the shore.

Threats to Shoreline Properties

Many people are drawn to live near lake or ocean shorelines, but human activity next to shorelines can have negative impacts on coastal processes. Changing climatic conditions caused by humans can also threaten the safety and integrity of shoreline infrastructure. Coastal properties can face several hazards and threats, including storms, erosion, flooding, and sea-level rise. Erosion, in particular, undermines the physical structure of beaches by depleting sediment (e.g., sand, gravel, cobbles) that is essential for absorbing waves and for habitat to many species. Read this article from the Stewardship Centre for BC to learn more about how climate change could impact the shoreline.

While hard armour (e.g., seawalls, rip rap) has often been used to protect shorelines, it can worsen erosion and increase risks to shoreline properties and neighbours. Hard armouring alters coastal processes, increases wave energy, and causes erosion at the base of these structures through scour. This makes the hard armour structure vulnerable to collapse or failure.

Why should you consider naturalizing shorelines?

Naturalized shorelines are more resilient to changing coastal environments and climate because they are better at dissipating wave energy, and include ecosystem features that help coastal ecosystems adapt to change. Nature-based coastal solutions incorporate natural processes and features that are better able to withstand wind, wave action, tides, seasonal changes and longer-term impacts of sea level rise.

Homeowners enjoying a naturalized shoreline restored using Green Shores for Homes nature-based solutions.

What can you do to naturalize your shoreline?

When considering applying nature-based protection on your shoreline, consult with qualified environmental professionals such as coastal engineers and biologists to develop the best solution for your shoreline and property needs. Click here to learn more about nature-based solutions. Some related activities can include:

The upland part of the property can benefit from a raingarden or permeable paving to filter and divert rainwater and reduce surface runoff. Illustration by Ravi Maharaj and Holly Sullivan.

Next Steps

The Stewardship Centre for BC offers the Green Shores® Program, which includes technical guidance, homeowner support, and information about best practices for implementing nature-based solutions that promote naturalized shorelines. Green Shores® is applicable to residential properties and commercial, multi-family residential, subdivision, parks or institutional waterfront developments. Learn more on how to get started with Green Shores.

As part of the Resilient Coasts for Salmon project, waterfront property owners on the East Coast of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands might be eligible for a free shoreline assessment to apply nature-based solutions with Green Shores. Click here to learn more about shoreline assessments on the Stewardship Centre for BC website.

Photo credits: Kelly Loch, District of West Vancouver, and Holly Sullivan.

Using Green Shores Nature-based Solutions

As a homeowner, you have an opportunity to enroll your site in Green Shores® for Homes and work with qualified professionals (biologists, coastal engineers, and environmental specialists) to develop and apply a nature-based shoreline design on your property.

Green Shores® is a program of the non-profit Stewardship Centre for British Columbia (SCBC) that offers a framework of best practices, training, and technical support to property owners interested in applying nature-based solutions on their property.

How does using Green Shores benefit salmon?

Green Shores guides users to nature-based solutions that encourage healthy land-sea habitat connectivity, which provides quality shoreline habitat for salmon.

Applying nature-based solutions along shoreline properties comes with a number of environmental, social and economic benefits. For example, nature-based solutions, such as beach nourishment and native plantings, improves resiliency to sea level rise and climate change by allowing for dynamically coastal processes adjust to changing levels whilst also providing habitat complexity for the ecosystem. Implementing upland solutions, such as rain gardens or rainwater harvesting, can reduce runoff and contaminated water flowing to the shore, thereby minimizing erosion and harmful toxins entering the environment. Truly a 'win-win', nature-based solutions are also typically lower cost than static engineered shoreline property protection measures such as seawalls and they create a naturally beautiful shoreline for everyone to enjoy.

Learn more about Green Shores and continue reading below to learn how to enroll, and about the benefits and assistance you can receive.

A Green Shores for Homes - certified project site in Parksville, Vancouver Island. The shoreline project included a hybrid design and extensive planting of native vegetation with retention of large woody debris, providing resiliency to erosion, and enhanced aesthetics and access to the shoreline. Photo credit: Kelly Loch

Getting started with Green Shores for Homes

As one Green Shores for Homes homeowner said:

'Becoming involved, reading and learning about the benefits of Green Shores through this project has been enlightening….and fun.  Thank you to the Green Shores team for sharing your knowledge and passion for the program. We look forward to enjoying the garden maturing and evolving with the hope of it being an inspiration for neighbouring waterfront owners. Best of all the birds love it!’Green Shores for Homes Gold Project Homeowner, Nanaimo, Vancouver Island.

Follow the steps below to get started:
  1. Visit the Green Shores website, review the resources available, and explore existing Green Shores Case Studies on completed projects to learn more about how the Green Shores process was applied and see the results. If you have any questions, contact the Stewardship Centre for BC at info@stewardshipcentrebc.ca.

Currently, there is no cost to the homeowner for Green Shores for Homes as grant funding covers the cost of project enrollment, support and verification.  Larger scale projects, for example a park or commercial site, follow a similar process to the above but use the Green Shores for Shoreline Development guide. There are fees associated with enrollment and verification of Green Shores for Shoreline Development projects. Contact the Stewardship Centre for more information.

Why get Green Shores certified?

By enrolling in Green Shores for Homes, homeowners benefit from project assistance, training and verification at no cost. As well, Green Shores projects located on Vancouver Island can potentially use the Expedited Permit Checklist for nature-based projects to expedite provincial permitting in the foreshore. This process provides the homeowner with time and cost savings. By using Green Shores guidance, homeowners are able to design a successful custom nature-based approach that works for the site and their needs.

In addition, once the Green Shores project is certified, the property value might be enhanced, and maintenance costs reduced, making it a valuable investment for homeowners. Green Shores certified sites are also a source of pride to the homeowner, and a great inspiration to neighbouring shoreline owners.  In this way, shoreline owners work together to support the environment and promote nature-based solutions in their communities.

“We are proud recipients of Green Shores certification for keeping the shoreline natural at our new home in Bowser, BC! “ – 2019 Green Shores for Homes homeowner, Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Photo by the Stewardship Centre for BC.

Additional resources

Green Shores Website

Green Shores Downloadable Guides and Resources

Green Shores Approved Professionals

Green Shores Training

Green Shores Webinars

Nature-based Solutions for the Shoreline

Rather than coastal armouring structures such as seawalls and riprap, which degrade over time, disrupt natural shoreline processes, deflect wave energy, and are vulnerable to sea level rise, nature-based solutions can be used to protect our shorelines and the communities along them.

Coastlines are naturally dynamic systems and this can be a good thing for adapting to climate change if we understand and respect the natural processes at play. By working with nature, we can increase our resiliency to the impacts of climate change while also supporting and protecting biodiversity and human well-being.

Compared to traditional hard-armouring (left), nature-based solutions (right) can offer better protection from storm surge and sea level rise while maintaining high value habitat. Illustration by Holly Sullivan.
How does applying nature-based solutions benefit salmon?

Opting for more natural solutions for shoreline protection rather than seawalls, creates a more resilient habitat that can support juvenile salmon as well as forage fish and invertebrates that salmon feed upon.

Here, we share a number of considerations and nature-based strategies for protecting our shorelines and communities.

Protecting the Upland

Protecting healthy and functioning coastal ecosystems starts with attention to the areas above the high tide mark, or the ‘upland’. By managing what happens on the upland, shorelines can be protected from excessive run‑off, contaminants, and erosion that would otherwise contribute to shoreline degradation. Here are a few suggestions:

Retain trees and snags – Avoid clearing of trees and shrubs along the shoreline as these provide important functions, for example as a food source, for shading, and riparian zone stabilization.

Practice eco-friendly gardening – Remove invasive species and encourage native species, and avoid chemical pesticides and fertilizers.

Reduce and treat run‑off – Use strategies such as rain gardens, permeable pavers and rainwater capture systems to minimize run-off from your property which can help reduce surface erosion and prevent contaminants from flowing into the aquatic environment.

Protect the riparian zone – A healthy riparian zone is key to the health of the shoreline as it acts as a buffer between the upland and the foreshore. The first step it to protect what is there:  but if the backshore vegetation has been cleared in the past, try to replant it with native species. Below is a table of suitable species for our local coastal riparian zones you can source from a native plant nursery.

TreesShrubsGrass & Wild Flowers
ArbutusNootka rosebeach wild-rye grass
Douglas-firoceansprayred fescue
Sitka sprucered flowering currantentire-leaved gumweed
shore pinesnowberrylarge-leaved lupine
red aldermock-orangeseashore lupine
big-leaf maplesweet galebeach pea
Pacific willowsalalsilvery burweed
cascaraOregon-grapebeach strawberry
Hooker's willowthimbleberrysea-watch
Douglas maplesalmonberrycow-parsnip
Scouler's willowIndian-plumCooley's hedge-nettle
Pacific crab appleblack twinberrycommon yarrow
vine maplekinnickinnickwooly sunflower
western red cedarPacific ninebark
Table adapted from tables included in Your Marine Waterfront (pg 37-39) and Green Shores Credits and Ratings Guide for Homes (pg 130).

Plan for sea level rise

Sea levels are rising – how a given area will be impacted will depend on the region and a number of other factors such as erosion and deposition rates, and geological factors like uplift and plate tectonics. In British Columbia, sea level rise is projected to be greatest on the north coast, the Fraser Lowland and southern Vancouver Island. See this map which shows vulnerability to sea level rise and coastal flooding.

Sea level rise will increase tide levels and how far seawater reaches onto land, influence the duration and frequency of inundation, exacerbate coastal erosion, and even cause the loss of nearshore habitat. Coastal modifications can exacerbate these impacts. To adapt we will need to:

Avoid further development directly on shorelines – Protect and preserve the natural areas we still have. Preserving shorelines in their natural state helps ensure important habitats are available to support biodiverse ecosystems and our coastal food web.

Accommodate for sea level rise – Increase setbacks, move infrastructure back if possible, and build any new structures further back from the shore. There is often a required regulatory setback that is established by local government regulations and this may vary by area. A safe setback distance that accounts for local sea level rise should be calculated based on site conditions by a qualified professional, whom would also ensure regulatory conditions are met.

Remove existing seawalls, riprap or other modifications to the shoreline – These structures, which are built with the intention to protect coastal infrastructure, actually disrupt coastal processes and are not an effective long-term solution for adapting to sea level rise. A shoreline is most resilient when it can function as an intact ecosystem.  

Undertake Restoration and Implement Nature-based Solutions

Successful restoration that improves ecosystem function and protects shoreline infrastructure requires a complete understanding of the dynamics of the area of shoreline you are working on. Enlisting qualified professionals (coastal geomorphologists/engineers, landscape architects, environmental consultants and biologists) is a critical step and will help you confidently design and plan a solution that considers natural coastal processes, shoreline erosion risk, and the dynamics of the ecosystem as a whole. The Stewardship Centre for BC has compiled a list of Green Shores Approved Professionals  that have the skills and experience for such projects.

Depending on the site being restored some nature-based solutions that may be recommended include:

Recontour the beach profile Recontouring can create great habitat benefits and provide shoreline protection. The aim of recontouring is to alter the slope of a beach so that it has a gentle gradient that will naturally dissipate wave energy. The process involves large machinery removing sediment from some areas and adding it to others to create the desired effect. Depending on the dynamics of a site, it may require maintenance over time to preserve the slope profile.

Beach nourishment – Sediment that is lost through erosion and not replenished by natural coastal processes can be replaced through a process called beach nourishment. Coastal modifications, such as groynes, jetties and breakwaters, disrupt longshore drift, which is responsible for maintaining the sand on beaches. Without natural replenishment, beaches that were once sandy or gravelly, may be stripped to cobble stones or bedrock. Having the right types of sediments on beaches is vital for forage fish, which spawn along the high tide line. To ensure the best habitat outcome, consult with a shoreline professional with expertise in coastal processes and forage fish requirements. They may suggest a ‘forage fish’ sediment mix that is specially formulated to suit the needs of species like Pacific sand lance, Pacific herring and surf smelt.

Incorporate large woody debris – Drift wood logs and other large woody debris can be placed along upper beaches and backshore, typically beyond the reach of the waves, to stabilize the shoreline and provide micro‑habitat for vegetation and animals. Depending on where they are placed, the natural untreated logs that are brought in may need to be anchored, either by partial burial or placing between rocks, to ensure they will not float away on the next high tide. Ideally, the logs will include intact roots or branches and be Douglas fir or western red cedar as they are naturally rot resistant. Once in place, the logs can help reduce erosion and accrete additional sediment on which dune grass and other shoreline plants may establish, further stabilizing and building up the beach.

Stabilize the shoreline with vegetation – Planting the riparian zone will stabilize sediment and prevent erosion along the shoreline. Having intact vegetation along the shoreline will also increase biodiversity, support marine food web linkages, and create incredible wildlife viewing opportunities. Besides planting native plant seedlings, there is another common method of revegetation, known as live staking, which involves sustainably harvesting cuttings from specific native species near by (e.g. red alder, snowberry, and Scouler willow) and staking them into the sediment and for them to eventually re-grow and stabilize the bank.

Here is a photo from a marine riparian restoration on Thetis Island by SeaChange Marine Conservation Society, led by Dave Polster. Also see this video of a shoreline slope restoration near Victoria.

Case Study: Weaverling Spit Restoration Projects

A great example where all of these methods were utilized is the Weaverling Spit Restoration Projects by Samish Nation and Coastal Geologic Services, in Samish Territory, Anacortes, Washington. The project involved multiple phases of restoration along the shoreline including a long-term plan for managed retreat on Tribal Lands to allow for landward habitat migration. Below you will see how the shoreline was re-graded and restored and the benefits that have been achieved.

Prior to the restoration (left) Fidalgo Bay Resort was vulnerable to storm surges and experienced flooding and infrastructure damage. After regrading the shoreline and supplementing sediment (right), the site is more protected.

Weaverling Spit was experiencing erosion and, with lawn extending to the shoreline, there was no habitat connectivity (left) prior to recontouring the beach and planting riparian vegetation (right). The site is now more resilient to storm events and provides valuable habitat again. Large woody debris has naturally recruited and brought with it additional habitat and shoreline stabilization benefits described above. The beach was nourished with a forage fish sediment mix and, incredibly, they found surf smelt spawning the very next day!

Considering a project involving some or all of the above strategies?

Check out these helpful resources for additional information:

Put together for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and adapted by the Stewardship Centre for British Columbia, Your Marine Waterfront Canadian Edition provides ways to promote healthy shorelines while protecting waterfront properties. Included are guidelines for site assessments and design techniques to plan and restore your shoreline and other helpful resources for shoreline property owners.

The Washington State Aquatic Habitat Guidelines Program has created Marine Shoreline Design Guidelines as comprehensive guide of shoreline assessment and management techniques. This guide provides detailed methods for site assessments, implementation of the nature-based solutions outlined above, and considerations and techniques for removal of coastal armouring.

You can take your project a step further and enroll your project with Green Shores  and go through Green Shores® accreditation process. Find out more from the SCBC website (Green Shores for Homes and Green Shores for Shoreline Development) and this Green Shores for Homes Credits and Ratings Guide.

Photo credits: Jake Dingwall, Kelly Loch, Maria Catanzaro, Weaverling Spit Restoration 'before' photos courtesy of Todd Woodard, Samish Nation Natural Resources, after photos by Maria Catanzaro

Plant a Rain Garden

A rain garden is a great example of a nature-based solution to reduce stormwater runoff from your property.

Rain gardens are attractive landscaping features that are specially designed to treat runoff and allow water to infiltrate the soil and recharge ground water.

How does a rain garden benefit salmon?

A rain garden treats runoff from around your property to reduce the amount of pollutants that enter streams and coastal areas, keeping these habitats healthy for salmon.

Rain gardens encourage what would otherwise be runoff to soak in and replenish groundwater. This helps prevent erosion during wet times and helps maintain stream baseflows during dry times to help migrating salmon.

How rain gardens work

With a rain garden, runoff from roofs and other impermeable areas around the property are directed to a sunken area where water can pond and move through a mix of mulch and constructed organic soils planted with appropriate native species. Rain gardens allow natural bio-remediation processes of microorganisms, plants, and soils to take place, which prevents contaminants making it to stream and shore habitats.

The group 12,000 Rain Gardens in Puget Sound shares a wealth of knowledge on building rain gardens that is specifically relevant to the Pacific Northwest. See their comprehensive guide on building a rain garden, and watch their video demonstration linked below.

Also check out the Rain Gardens for Headwaters: Online Design Symposium hosted by Kyle Armstrong with Peninsula Streams & Shorelines. Kyle is joined by speakers Deborah Jones, Cougar Creek Streamkeepers, Kristen Miskelly, Satinflower Nurseries, Brianne Tenk, Stormwater Management Specialist, City of Victoria, and Scott Murdoch, Landscape Architect, Murdoch De Greeff Inc. You will learn about lessons learned and “do’s and don’ts” from constructing rain garden designs, the importance and benefits of utilizing native plants in rain gardens, green stormwater infrastructure, and much more!

As mentioned in the talk by Brianne Tenk, The City of Victoria has an incentive program for managing rainwater sustainably, such as receiving credits and rebates for incorporating pervious pavers, rain barrels and rain gardens on your properties! To learn more about the City of Victoria’s Rainwater Rewards Program for rainwater harvesting and management, see here!

Additional Resources

Check out our partner Peninsula Streams Society's blog about three Rain Garden Demonstration Sites they have built at urban schools in the Capital Region. This project has built storm and drought resilience into local watersheds! Within the post are a number of helpful and informative links.

For professional assistance with designing and building a rain garden, search for landscape architect firms through the BC Society of Landscape Architects.

Photo credit: Maria Cantanzaro and Paul de Greeff

Permeable Paving

Paving your driveway and other impervious (e.g. concrete) areas with permeable pavers can help reduce stormwater runoff from around your property.

Options, such as permeable pavers, gravel or grass grid systems, and specialty concrete mixes, allow stormwater to filter through to the soils below. If the water can make it into the soil, it can help to refill groundwater and the pollution it carries can be broken down, which keeps waterways and our shorelines healthy.

A paved driveway, which may have car oil and road residues, delivers contaminated runoff to gutters and drains that directly connect with aquatic environments.

How does using permeable pavers benefit salmon?

It helps reduce stormwater runoff that could otherwise contribute to habitat damage from flooding and erosion where spawning salmon lay their eggs and young salmon rear. It also helps recharge groundwater, which helps maintain cool clean water base flows in streams when adult salmon migrate in late summer and early fall.

Runoff from driveways can contain pollutants, such as the tire residue, 6PPD-Q, that is fatal to coho, along with other chemicals that negatively impact the ecosystem, letting this water filter through the soil can prevent pollution from entering sensitive environments.

Using these alternatives has a number of environmental benefits, including lower pollutant loads entering water ways, reduced erosion and flooding from flashy storm runoff and increased groundwater recharge. Additionally, less radiant heat is retained by these alternative systems compared to traditional concrete. This will reduce heat pollution that contributes to urban heat island effect.

Depending on the type of solution selected, installation methods and costs will vary. Typically, pavers are placed on a level bed that allows infiltration and spaces between are back-filled with fine gravel. Detailed installation guides and summaries of different options can be found online (here too).

Learn more about the how cars can cause water pollution and ways to reduce the impact, here.

Photo credit: Toinane on Unsplash, Nicole Christiansen, Kyla Sheehan, and Paul de Greeff

Composting

When organic materials, including kitchen scraps and garden waste are sent to landfills they break down anaerobically and produce the potent greenhouse gas methane.

By composting you avoid this and the finished product is great slow releasing fertilizer and soil improver for your garden. By following a few simple guidelines and having a place for your heap, you can easily get started with composting.

How does composting benefit salmon?

Composting prevents food and garden waste breaking down into methane, which is a potent green house gas, thereby reducing your carbon footprint and subsequently climate change pressures that salmon face.

Incorporating compost in your garden promotes healthy rich soil that holds on to moisture better and reduces the need for fertilizers, reducing the impact of your garden on nearby aquatic environments.

How to Compost

First, decide which method you would like to use - The simplest is to have a compost bin or a heap at the far end of the garden to fill and aerate on occasion, but you might want to learn about other methods, check out these fact sheets put together by the Compost Education Centre:

Get yourself set up - Bins can be purchased from gardening centres, home improvement stores or from community composting organizations like the Compost Education Centre in Victoria or the Vancouver Compost Demonstration Centre. You can also create a place for your heap using lumber and fencing material, or things you may already have on hand (check out this post for 35 ideas), or just have a free form pile.

When choosing your bin (or lack of one) you will want to consider the type of materials you plan to compost. For example, if it is just yard waste you plan to compost you don't necessarily need a solution that is pest proof, but you would want something pest proof if you do plan to include kitchen scraps.

Simple bins, like the one pictured on the left, are designed for new material to be added at the top by removing a pest resistant lid, and for finished compost to be harvested from a door in the bottom.

Making 'black gold' for your garden - As a general rule for producing healthy rich compost, alternate layers of 'brown' - or carbon rich materials - such as dry leaves, paper, straw, with layers of 'green' - or nitrogen rich materials - such as fresh grass clippings and kitchen scraps. You want the ratio of green to brown material to be about equal. Everything should be turned occasionally and kept moist to ensure proper conditions for the microbial breakdown process.

There are a few things that you should avoid putting in your heap so that it won't attract pests, create odour, spread weeds or result in a compost that would be unhealthy for including in a veggie garden. The table below shows what to compost, coded as as green or brown categories by text colour, and what not to compost.

Great for compostDo not compost
Fruit and vegetable scrapsMeat/bones
Tea bags and coffee groundsDairy products
Rinsed egg shellsBread or cooked food
Fallen LeavesWeeds that have gone to seed
Grass clippings (fresh/dry)Weeds that have rhizomes
General garden waste (fresh leaves/woody)Diseased plants
Shredded newspaper/cardboardCat and dog waste
Human or pet hair
Chicken, cow or horse manure
Untreated wood saw dust/chipped
Straw

Watch and learn - A introductory video about simple backyard composting made by City Farmer.

Alternative Solutions

If you don’t have the desire or space to compost on your property, you can:

Invest in a counter top compost device - If you are really short on space and time, there are now counter top compost devices such as Lomi, which accelerate the compost process through grinding and heating. These devices, which use electricity, can turn kitchen scraps into 'dirt' in a few hours.

Use your municipal composting – your green bin. Learn what can go in your green bin and see what happens to the contents of your green bin.

For More Information

Check out the Compost Education Centre in Victoria, their website contains all sorts of helpful educational fact sheets on different methods of composting and other tips for your garden. They also offer workshops.

Visit the Vancouver Compost Demonstration Centre and pick up a cheap backyard compost bin or worm composter

Photo credit: Eva Elijas from Pexels, Nicole Christiansen