Coastal Appreciation Week 2026

Shipwrecks Along the Coastline of St. Paul Island

With over 350 documented shipwrecks along the coastline of St. Paul Island, which is only 4.8 kilometres in length, there is not much of it that has been untouched. St. Paul is just 24 kilometres northwest of Cape North on the northern tip of Cape Breton and was referred to as "kiwkto'qi Mnikuk" or "round Island" by the Mi'kmaq. Each day, the St Paul Island Museum and Lighthouse will showcase a specific shipwreck which came up against these rocky shorelines and bring additional awareness to the importance of navigational aids along our coastlines.

When: Runs all week (except Mondays, when the museum is closed) from 10:00am - 5pm  
Where: 575 Dingwall Rd, Dingwall, Nova Scotia, B0C 1G0 (Map Pin)
Cost: Free (optional suggested donation: $5)
Registration Required: No
Special considerations: The museum is closed on Mondays.

Questions? Contact stpaulislandmuseum1@gmail.com 

Chebogue River Appreciation Day

Southwest Paddlers Association (SWPA) invites the public to kayak or canoe alongside SWPA's Big Canoe on the Chebogue River to appreciate this coastal river as she heads out to sea.  Expect to debark and do a small coastal shoreline hike on one of the islands.

When: Sunday, July 12 at 1:30 p.m. for a 3 - 4 hour outing
Where: Paddle will start and end at the Chebogue River Aquatic Club (50 Aquatic Drive, Arcadia, on the outskirts of Yarmouth, N.S.)
Cost: Free
Registration required: No

Special considerations: Participants bring their own kayak or canoe. PFDs mandatory. Should have extra paddle in boat, float line, personal first aid, sunscreen, water, snacks, extra clothing in case one gets wet and appropriate footwear to walk on coastline (no sandals or open toes please). Although this is a recreational paddle appropriate for all levels of paddling ability, participants should be comfortable paddling in their kayaks or canoes, and able to do a leisurely paddle for up to 3 hours. 
Questions? Contact Sandra at sandracphinney@gmail.com 

Bras d'Or Watch - Ross Ferry 

The Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Region Association invites you to Bras d’Or Watch, an initiative that introduces residents and visitors to the unique Bras d’Or ecosystem. Scientists and local community members welcome citizen scientists to learn more about the natural environment of the nearshore and check on ecosystem health. Each Bras d’Or Watch event is a celebration of our place in the unique Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere. We invite anyone to come and chat and learn with us! This is a family-friendly event where parents, guardians and youth can explore and enjoy the beautiful Bras d'Or Lake. 

When: Sunday, July 12 from 12 to 4 p.m.
Where: Ross Ferry Marine Park (9685 Kempt Head Rd, Ross Ferry, N.S. B1X 1N9)
Cost: Free (donations accepted but not required)
Registration Required: No, this is a drop in event.

Special considerations: Low level of difficulty. The microscopes and tables are level with the parking lot; however, the ramp down to the water is steep. All animals collected are brought up to the parking level for identification and can be accessed by all participants. 
Questions? Contact Colette at manager@blbra.ca  
 

Riverport Community Coastal Appreciation Day 

Details pending - please check back soon.

Seawall Beach Cleanup

Scotian Shores are headed to Seawall Beach for a shoreline clean up. We have bags and gloves; you just need to show up with a smile and help us clean!

When: Sunday, July 12 from 2 to 5 p.m.
Where: Seawall Beach - Digby Neck
Cost: Free
Registration required: No
Special considerations: Dress appropriately for forecasted weather and walking on the coast. It is recommended to wear sunscreen, bug spray and tick spray and bring snacks and water. This is a family-friendly event. 
Questions? Contact Scotian Shores at Scotianshores@gmail.com 

McNabs Island Coastal Shoreline Guided Tour  

Hike along the changing coastline of McNabs Island with a guided tour by the Friends of McNabs Island Society. Learn about how the shape of the island has changed as beaches and coves come and go in response to natural processes and human interventions. Learn about how sea levels rise is impacting the island now and will continue to do so in the future. Stroll along sandy Maughers Beach, which didn’t exist 80 years ago. Walk around peaceful McNabs Pond, which has changed from a cove to a tidal inlet, then to a freshwater pond and now back to a tidal inlet again. Stroll Wreck Cove — a favourite anchorage of local boaters. Visit Fort McNab and learn about this historic hilltop fort with its panoramic views of Halifax Harbour. Visit the newly restored Teahouse Outdoor Education Centre for an island orientation.

When: July 12. Boat departs Eastern Passage at 9:30 a.m. (please arrive at least 15 min. before departure) and returns at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Boat departs from 87 Government Wharf Rd in Fisherman's Cove, Eastern Passage (A&M Sea Charters). Boat returns to the same location.
Cost: Boat fees are as follows:

• $40 per adult (non-members)
• $30 per adult for Friends of McNabs Island Society members
• $20 for children/youth 16 and under
• FREE for children 4 years and younger, courtesy of the Friends of McNabs Island, but they will still need a ticket.

Registration Required: Participants must buy a ticket through Eventbrite. Please select the July 12 coastal shoreline tour. Note: There is a second coastal tour on August 9. Maximum of 24 participants.
Special Considerations: Participants should practice tick awareness and dress appropriately (wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather). There is no shelter during the walk from rain or sun as the route is mostly along the shore (tours are not cancelled for light rain or drizzle, only for steady rain). Bring snacks/lunch and water. There is no drinking water or food for sale on the island. There are outhouses. We travel along the shore of the island using shoreline trails (former military roads) and cobble or sandy beach beaches. Expect sections of wet, uneven or slippery terrain (alternate bypass exists). Terrain is mostly flat, with some moderate uphill sections. This is an approx. 6-kilometre walk with frequent stops including a lunch stop at Fort McNab.

Questions? Contact Cathy at info@mcnabsisland.ca

Event information coming soon

Coastal Plant Walk 

Plant Ecologist Dr. Jeremy Lundholm will lead a group of people on a hike at Polly's Cove, identifying plants and discussing their importance to the coastal barrens ecosystem.

When: Tuesday, July 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. (could be 2-3 hours)
Where: Polly's Cove Trailhead - Prospect Rd, West Dover, N.S. (44°29'36.81"N 63°53'22.15"W)
Cost: Free
Registration required: Yes, please register via this form (spaces limited)

Special Considerations: The terrain is rugged, so solid hiking shoes are needed. Dress for the weather, including sun protection (hat, sunscreen), insect repellent, water bottle and any snacks you may need. Bring binoculars or magnifying glasses if you'd like to look closer at plants or faraway things. Event is a rambling hike through rocky terrain with potentially wet areas. Not very accessible for mobility aids. 
Questions? Contact Jeremy at jeremylundholm9@gmail.com  

ESCOM Coastal Monitoring Day: A New Moon Citizen Science Event 

Participants will begin with a short introduction to the Eastern Shore Citizen Science Coastal Monitoring Network (ESCOM) and the coastal monitoring parameters used by the network: beach profile, granulometry, coastline and vegetation. After this introduction, attendees will be divided into small groups according to the number of participants and local beach conditions, with each group focusing on one monitoring parameter. During the first hour of field practice, participants will learn how to apply the selected method with guidance from the local Coastal Climate Team. After that, participants may choose to rotate and practice a second monitoring parameter, depending on time, group size and site conditions. The activity will close with all groups coming together for a shared conversation about why environmental data matters for coastal conservation, community preparedness and long-term understanding of coastal change.

When: Tuesday, July 14 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Various locations including

•  Black Duck Cove (map)
• Tor Bay (map)
• Port Shoreham (map)
• Port Bickerton (map)
• Moosehead (map)

Cost: Free  
Registration Required: Register via healthycoast00@gmail.com or a text to 902-399-6309, no later than June 30. Max. 10 participants per beach.
Special Considerations: This is an outdoor, hands-on field activity on beaches and coastal access areas. Participants should wear sturdy footwear suitable for sand, gravel, wet areas, uneven terrain and possible rocky or vegetated sections. Please dress for changing coastal weather and bring sunscreen, insect repellent, drinking water, snacks, a hat and any personal medications you may need during a three-hour outdoor activity. No previous scientific experience is required, but participants should be comfortable walking outdoors, following safety instructions and working as part of a small field team. Some beaches may involve walking over soft sand, slopes, cobbles, driftwood, dunes or irregular access paths, so participants should contact the team coordinator in advance if they have concerns about mobility, balance or accessibility.  

Questions? Contact Camilo at healthycoast00@gmail.com 

Tuesday Night Fun Sail

The Tuesday Night Fun Sail is a regular sailing activity at Lunenburg Yacht Club that brings out sailboats of all kinds for an enjoyable evening on the waters of Princes Inlet, Mahone Bay. Afterwards, we gather for food, drink and camaraderie in the club. While there is a start, a course and a finish, it is a fun sail in community, not a race. No finish times are kept or calculated.

When: Tuesday, July 14 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Lunenburg Yacht Club, 734 Hermans Island Rd, NS (map)
Cost: Free
Registration Required: Visiting sailboats are welcome. Contact racing@lyc.ns.ca in advance.
Special Considerations: In order to participate, visiting sailboats need to supply proof of liability insurance. Participating in the sailing requires access to docks/wharfs/ramps etc. Lunenburg Yacht Club itself is fully accessible and those wishing to spectate and have a meal or beverage are welcome.  Food and beverage service is available at the yacht club.

Questions? Contact Colin at colinmann08@gmail.com 

Event information coming soon.

Explore the Coast Through Art

Artistic coastal scientists will be leading a family-friendly walk around McCormack's Beach, exploring how the water and land interact through art made of natural materials found on the beach. The walk is an opportunity to ask questions about coastal processes, habitats, plants, wind and wave energy, climate change adaptation and more, while out on the coast. It's also an opportunity to create ephemeral (non-permanent) coastal art using the beach's own natural materials.

When: July 16 from 2-4pm
Where: McCormack's Beach Provincial Park (1641 Shore Rd, Eastern Passage)
Cost: Free
Registration required: No

Special Considerations: Event is a walk through crushed gravel paths, beach sand, salt marsh mud, cobble and rock beaches, and over boardwalks. Recommended: sun protection, insect repellent, water and good footwear for walking on described terrain. We will be flexible with the difficulty of the walk, depending on any accessibility needs of participants! 
Questions? Contact Kelly at kelly.umlah@smu.ca  

Event information coming soon.

Event information coming soon.

Event details pending - please check back soon.