Stewarding Your Coastal Property

Coastal, Latest Articles

Erosion Control Tips:

  • Leave a buffer

    • Mowing directly to the cliff’s edge can damage the structural integrity of the bank, and prevent deep roots from establishing, which can increase erosion rates.

  • Plant Shrubs

    • Native shrubs are excellent at slowing erosion by holding soil in place.

    • Where heavy trees along the cliff’s edge can tumble over during big storms and pull soil down with them, shrubs are much lighter and more wind-tolerant.

    • Low-growing shrubs like bayberry and rose will not block your view of the coast and provide beautiful colour and scent!

  • Share your stairs/access path with your neighbours

    • Having multiple sets of stairs or footpaths along a bank or dune can weaken healthy coastal ecosystems making them more susceptible to erosion.

    • Consider chatting with your neighbours about a single communal beach access.

  • Familiarize yourself with various erosion control measures

    • Programs like living shorelines are ideal for long-term erosion control with the least environmental impact. For more information visit https://helpingnatureheal.com/living-shorelines/

    • Be aware that any modifications along the coast require appropriate permits.

  • Avoid hard armouring

    • Did you know that hard armouring (the process of installing rock in front of a bank to slow erosion) only moves the erosion down shore?

    • Wave energy in a healthy coastal ecosystem is distributed along a section of shore. When hard structures are placed to reduce erosion, the wave energy no longer dissipates evenly, but is redirected to either side of the armour.

    • This means that unarmoured areas on either side may actually experience increased erosion since they now have to absorb that extra energy.

Respect Your Wild Neighbours:

  • Piping Plover

    • If Piping Plover are nesting on a beach near your property:

  • Bank Swallow

    • If there is a bank swallow colony near your property:

      • Avoid mowing on top of the bank as this can cause burrows to collapse, killing chicks or adults within.

      • Avoid using pesticides on your coastal property to ensure bank swallow have plenty to eat!

      • Do not dig, install stairs, or drive heavy equipment near a colony. Bank swallow burrows can extend several feet into the bank and may collapse on young.