Niagara Coastal Community Collaborative

Our goal is always to optimize and expand local action to build a healthy and resilient Lake Erie coastal ecosystem that supports the community’s economic, recreational, spiritual, and environmental needs.

As 2022 draws to a close, Niagara Coastal staff have been reflecting on what an incredible year it's been. We cannot begin to express our gratitude for all the hard working volunteers, participants, and supporting partner organizations that made this Niagara Coastal's most successful year yet!

Here is a look at some of our accomplishments from the past year...

2022 Accomplishments

E.coli Monitoring

Phosphorus Monitoring

Nature-based Shoreline Restoration

Nearshore & Shoreline RPAS Photo Monitoring

SAR Field Surveys

VAST Erosion Monitoring

VAST Cladophora Monitoring

VAST Aesthetic Beach Quality Monitoring

VAST Restoration Success Monitoring

Work placements for 2 Niagara College graduate students

Finalists for the Canadian Water's Next Awards

Recipients of an NPCA Conservation Award of Merit

We can't wait for what next year has in store!

2022 Initiative Updates

A full breakdown of all our projects will be included in Niagara Coastal's

2022 Initiative Report, coming soon!

Nature-based Shoreline Restoration Season Ends

Beachgrass has been planted at Bay Beach! All other priority sites have been protected with sand fencing to accelerate sand accumulation and prepare the sites for future plantings.

2022 Restoration Highlights:

1.08 ha of critical coastal habitat restored
additional 4.83 ha of habitat, including a provincially significant wetland, has been protected as a result of the project activities
2,050 native coastal plants were planted
17,000 people were reached
145 volunteers contributed 885 hours

In Case You Missed It...

NPCA Recognizes Niagara Coastal Community Collaborative with 2021 Conservation Award of Merit!

The Award of Merit recognizes significant achievements and contributions by an individual, group, and business to improve and restore our local environment for the benefit of all watershed residents.

"In a very short time, the Niagara Coastal Community Collaborative has established itself as an incredible organization with a passion for collaboration, partnership, and engaging the community towards collective environmental goals and education."

Link: NPCA Conservation Awards

Niagara Coastal's Coastal Day of Action!

Severe storm events and shoreline development have significantly degraded coastal dune ecosystems across Lake Erie's north shore. On October 29th, Niagara Coastal hosted a Coastal Day of Action at Bay Beach in Fort Erie. Bay Beach is an important location that showcases the benefits of using nature-based solutions to restore coastal environments. Restoration of this beach was initiated in April 2021 and has been ongoing ever since, with expansions of the coastal dune habitat initiated earlier this year.

Community members and volunteers of all ages joined us in planting 500 plugs of locally-harvested native beachgrass in the newly protected areas, and assisted with the installation of a rope fence.

Check out the article below to see what the Welland Tribune had to say!

Niagara Coastal working to protect Niagara's shorelines

Fort Erie's Bay Beach is a prime example of how nature-based solutions can protect shorelines and reduce erosion, says Niagara Coastal's executive director Gregary Ford. Saturday, Niagara Coastal was joined by representatives from Niagara College, Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, Town of Fort Erie and others for a coastal day of action.

Two New Factsheets!

Learn all about beachgrass; why it's important and how we use it to increase shoreline resiliency here.

Dig a little deeper and learn about locally-genetic beach grass and how it differs from American Beachgrass here.

To explore more coastal topics, check out our Coastal Academy!

Staff Spotlight

Breaking Water with Kiersten McCutcheon - Swim Drink Fish

"Swim Drink Fish is highlighting members of our incredible ecosystem. This Breaking Water segment features Kiersten McCutcheon. Kiersten is a young water professional, project manager, and advocate for the Great Lakes."

That's a wrap!

Thank you to everyone for providing ongoing support, resources, time, and expertise. Your passion and dedication is helping both The Collaborative and the community we serve achieve a healthier, more resilient Lake Erie coastal ecosystem.

We wish you a safe and happy holiday season and look forward to another successful year of community collaboration-

See you in 2023!

www.niagaracoastal.ca