Nova Scotia's Shared Coastal Parks Sector
Strengthening climate resilience in coastal parks.Nova Scotia’s Shared Coastal Parks Sector is a diverse network of Rightsholders, local partners and other organizations working to strengthen the resilience of the province’s coastal parks. Facilitated by Clean Foundation, this collaborative effort takes place in Mi’kma’ki, the traditional and ancestral homeland of the Mi’kmaq.
Our focus
Coastal parks are vital spaces where nature, culture and community intersect. They support diverse systems—ecological, cultural, economic and physical—and face increasing risks from climate hazards. The sector proactively addresses these risks through innovative, inclusive and nature-based approaches to create adaptation options that may help increase the resilience of coastal parks and related systems.
What we're working towards
- Working collaboratively: We create systems where partners work together for a more resilient future for Nova Scotia’s coastal parks.
- Learning and sharing for adaptation action: We identify, collect, share, use and retain knowledge among partners.
- Climate-adaptive planning, programs and services: We work with partners to assess and prioritize adaptation actions in coastal parks.
Our projects
Click below to learn more more about our ongoing work.
Adapting Nova Scotia's Shared Coastal Parks
Status: Ongoing
Funding partners: Natural Resources Canada’s Climate-Resilient Coastal Communities Program and the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change.
Project description
Adapting Nova Scotia’s Shared Coastal Parks is a three-year project (2024-2027) focused on assessing climate risks and developing conceptual adaption plans that prioritize nature-based solutions for three coastal park regions in Nova Scotia. The project is designed to build local capacity, inform future planning and share knowledge across communities and organizations. Implementation of the final plans is not included within the project’s scope.
Clean Foundation has received funding from Natural Resources Canada’s Climate-Resilient Coastal Communities Program and the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change to facilitate this project. Clean is working closely with Nova Scotia’s Shared Coastal Parks Sector and a team of qualified contractors.
Guiding principles
Our work is driven by four core guiding principles:
- Etuaptmumk (Two-Eyed Seeing): We incorporate strengths of Mi’kmaw knowledge and Western science to benefit all.
- Collaboration: We engage governments, NGOs, academia, industry and communities to build future planning capacity.
- Nature-based solutions: We work with nature to enhance environmental resilience and deliver community benefits.
- Knowledge sharing: We share insights and tools to support coastal adaptation planning.
Project areas
Three regions of public coastal lands in Nova Scotia have been selected based on climatic conditions, geological composition, cultural values and ecological significance.
We consulted Mi’kmaw organizations throughout the process, prioritizing areas with limited capacity to undertake policy and planning processes.
Each area faces similar climate hazards, but local impacts vary—calling for tailored adaptation strategies.
Project phases
Shaped by the local communities, the project takes place in four phases over three years, having begun with Mi’kmaw communities to ensure their consent to proceed. It also incorporates perspectives shared by including park staff, hired contractors, Rightsholders and other local partners.
- Climate change risk and vulnerability assessment
- Policy and planning exploration
- Conceptual adaptation planning
- Knowledge sharing and capacity building
Looking ahead
Adapting Nova Scotia’s Shared Coastal Parks lays the foundation for communities, Rightsholders and decision-makers to take informed action and build capacity to undertake future climate adaptation planning.
Questions?
For more information, please contact: coastalparks@cleanfoundation.ca.
Nova Scotia’s Shared Coastal Parks Sector:
Supported by funding from Nova Scotia’s Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth.
