Riparian Zone Ready

Learn more about how Riparian Zone Ready is spurring civic and environmental youth action

Riparian Zone Ready is a land-based learning program led by ACAP Cape Breton and co-directed by youth groups (25 and under) from the four counties of Cape Breton: CBRM, Inverness, Richmond, & Victoria. From Spring 2025 to Summer 2026, youth will plan, present, and implement freshwater habitat restoration solutions with the support of ACAP Cape Breton, researchers at Cape Breton University and two municipalities.

Program Goals:

  • Develop youth capacity through hands-on freshwater restoration and protection.

  • Develop youth and community civic literacy, through direct engagement with local governments.

  • Increased freshwater health.

What is a Riparian Zone?

A Riparian Zone is the interface between land and a river or stream. Healthy riparian zones will host a diverse community of trees, plants, and organisms that assist in filtering and protecting the waterway. Although riparian zones provide crucial ecosystem services, they are sometimes cut down, degraded, or destroyed. Urban development, agriculture, and forestry can all pose threats to healthy riparian habitat. Restoring riparian zones can help offset local biodiversity loss and support climate adaptation.

Source: https://cowsandfish.org/what-is-riparian/

Freshwater Futures Summit 2025

On June 14, ACAP Cape Breton hosted the first annual Freshwater Futures Summit at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre - an event funded by the Canada Water Agency.

Youth turnout and spirits were high. In the morning, our habitat restoration manager, Jen Cooper, spoke about the importance of riparian zone* health to the health of streams. We learned about some ways that riparian zones can be harmed, and the scientifically-based approaches to their restoration. Jen’s talk was followed by another by UINR freshwater turtle specialist Malcolm Fenech. Malcolm spoke about the importance of stream and riparian health to our island’s terrestrial species at risk. During the Q&A sessions that followed, participants had no end of questions and ideas to share!

After a delicious lunch catered by Subway, we stuffed our pockets with homemade goodies and headed out to the nearby Hemlock Trail where participants broke into four groups and cycled through four learning stations. NSCC Natural Resources Environmental Technology (NRET) instructor, Jim Richard, offered participants hands-on experience with stream water quality testing. Jen Cooper highlighted threats to a local riparian zone, including tree-clearing and invasive species, and ways of counteracting these harms. Our Education Lead, Meaghan Tobin, guided participants as they ‘critter dipped’ in a nearby wetland. And ‘Riparian Zone Ready’ coordinator, Adam Malcolm, led a plant identification walk-and-talk.

At the end of the day, participants were sent away with as many snacks as they could carry and plenty of food for thought!

A great big thank you to Malcolm Fenech, Jen Cooper and Jim Richard for taking a big chunk of time out of their weekend to come and share their expertise with a group of some of our island’s young naturalists and future habitat restoration specialists. Thank you to the whole ACAP Cape Breton team that brought the event to life. And to our participants: thank you for your dedication to learning (even on a Saturday in June!) and for your generosity of spirit over the course of the day. In the ongoing work to build a more sustainable and resilient island, your passion gives us all a great big dose of hope.

*A riparian zone is the land adjacent to a stream or wetland.

The 2025 summit has concluded, but stay tuned to learn more about upcoming projects and opportunities for youth!