Coastal regions are important zones for wildlife and people.
Healthy Coasts NB is a collaborative project with the collective vision of “a path to healthy coasts and thriving communities in harmony with nature.” It is led by Nature NB, Nature Conservancy of Canada, Birds Canada, Anqotum and Nature Trust of New Brunswick.
Using a two-eyed seeing approach, the project is working with communities to identify and support activities along the coasts of New Brunswick that will benefit species and coastal habitats of conservation concern and cultural importance.
The project, now grouping over 20 organizations from all across the province, also aims to support community livelihoods by encouraging a safe, resilient, and sustainable coastal way of life.
Our Story
Wele’k Pemjajika’q Siknikt – Côtes en santé N.-B. – Healthy Coasts NB is a partnership of organizations who are passionate about supporting win-win projects that protect species of conservation concern, promote community resilience to climate change, and support a coastal way of life.
Coastal regions support wildlife and people
Coastal regions include habitats such as beaches, dunes, salt marsh, estuaries and coastal forest. These dynamic habitats protect our communities from extreme weather, connect us with nature, support livelihoods, and provide important homes for countless plants and animals of conservation concern and cultural importance.
Helping communities build a safe, resilient and sustainable coastal lifestyle
The Healthy Coasts NB team supports communities along the coast to identify what social, environmental or economic features coastal residents want to protect (i.e. Targets), as well as what activities are harming the health of these Targets. We work with the local community to develop and implement a plan that addresses these concerns in hopes of protecting habitats, species, and the coastal way of life.
Two-eyed seeing
Our project blends Indigenous knowledge and western science into our decision-making, planning, and action through ‘two-eyed seeing’. Two-eyed seeing allows our team to learn about the benefits of both knowledge systems and apply these benefits to our work.
We are working with communities to
- Identify and support activities that will benefit coastal habitats, species of conservation and cultural importance, and coastal livelihoods in the coastal areas of NB.
- Support ongoing conservation efforts for Species-at-Risk including Piping Plover, Maritime Ringlet and Bank Swallow.
- Support win-win approaches that can help coastal communities thrive, while preserving our shared natural heritage and coastal way of life.
Project partners
Steward Organizations
- Nature NB
- Birds Canada
- Nature Conservancy Canada
- Anqotum Resource Management
- Nature Trust of New Brunswick
Partner Groups
- Chaleur Bay Watershed Group
- Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society NB
- Ghost Gear Disappear Inc.
- Greater Kouchibouguac Watershed Association
- Miramichi River Environmental Assessment Committee (MREAC)
- Parks Canada
- Pays de Cocagne Sustainable Development Group
- Port of Belledune
- Shediac Bay Watershed Association
- Tabusintac Watershed Association
- Vision H2O
Project funding
This collaborative project has been funded since 2019 through a variety of funders including Environment and Climate Change Canada, Environmental Trust Fund, Wildlife Trust Fund, and Davis foundation.
Photo credit : Piping Plover – Lewnanny Richardson ; Dune photo by drone – Nelson Cloud; Volunteers on the beach – Pascale Chiasson
