Coffee, snacks, and lunch will be provided for those who register online. Let’s dig for Bank Swallows: creating a living shoreline to protect the coast – Individual Registration (nben.ca)

Come join the NBEN, Birds Canada, Nature NB, Healthy Coasts NB, REGEN Media, the Government of New Brunswick, The Bassin Versant de la Baie des Chaleurs, the Port of Belledune, the Canadian Wildlife Service, and restoration experts from Helping Nature Heal to learn about living shorelines and take part in a hands-on volunteer effort to restore the coast at Youghall Beach in Bathurst, New Brunswick. Help plant trees and coastal plants and build other natural erosion protection measures that will work to protect this shoreline that is shared by park-goers and endangered Bank Swallow. These measures are designed to slow erosion while maintaining an important nesting habitat for Bank Swallow, who often nest in little burrows they dig in coastal banks. We need to complete the living shoreline restoration before mid-May, when Bank Swallows arrive in New Brunswick from their southern wintering grounds, because we don’t want to disturb their choice of where to nest. We will continue the work done last year and focus on stabilizing the foot of the slope on the beach.

Please come prepared for hands-on restoration work with gloves, gardening tools, and weather-appropriate clothing. There are important tasks for all levels of skill set and abilities. During lunch (provided for those who complete online registration), Helping Nature Heal (English), Birds Canada (French), and Nature NB (English) will each give a short talk about the project and connected programs. Simultaneous interpretation will be available for these short presentations as well as bilingual handouts. There will be bilingual event organizers prepared to aid participants in both languages. This event will be rain or shine, so please dress appropriately for all weather conditions! We look forward to seeing you there! If you are interested in this event but are facing barriers to participation, please reach out to NBEN to help us find a way to help you to join in. You are welcome to join us for as much or as little of the day as you can. Any help you’re able to provide is wonderful!

Schedule for the day:

Arrive/check-in: 8:30 – 9 am

Introduction: 9-10am

Restoration work: 10am – 12pm

Lunch and presentations: 12 – 1:30 pm

Restoration work: 1:30 – 3pm