Welcome to the Cold Regions Living Shorelines Community of Practice (CRLS CoP)

The CRLS CoP is an interactive online community intended to encourage communication, information sharing and knowledge-exchange across members to develop, support and steward the effective use of living shoreline ideas and principles in a temperate North American climate.

The Coastal Zone Canada Association (CZCA) has developed this community of practice focused on cold regions living shorelines for several reasons:

• Living shorelines are a progressive and sustainable alternative to traditional shoreline management methods.

• The practice of living shorelines has not yet been adequately defined in design standards, national building codes and policy. Therefore a “gap” exists, where credible information and tools need to be developed for decision-makers and designers to implement the living shoreline concept.

• Living shorelines provide an opportunity for outreach and educational initiatives which highlight the state of coastlines nation-wide and provide a platform on which to raise awareness of more sustainable nature-based approaches in coastal development.

Who can Join?

The CRLS CoP is open to all CZCA members as well as anyone else interested in cold regions living shorelines in Canada and the USA.

Why Join the Community of Practice?

We aspire to create an accessible and valuable community which offers both practical and academic resources to bridge the gap between research, policy and practical implementation of green infrastructure features. The quality and credibility of material presented and promoted is fundamental in cementing the CRLS CoP as an influential and respected technical reference in shoreline management practice.

Features of the CRLS COP

• Background on the CRLS including mandate, team, contact information, etc.;

• A news page where members can post the latest news articles related to CRLS;

• An events page where members can post upcoming relevant events;

• A forums page with discussion forums on member-driven topics;

• An online library where members and administrators can post resources on integrated coastal zone management and climate change impacts and adaptation;

• Access to the larger Climate Change Adaptation Community of Practice (CCACoP) and all its resources;

• A member page where users can browse through the list of members, look at their profiles, and send them internal messages directly through the CRLS CoP;

• Resources to direct members on how they can get involved with the CRLS CoP in their community, organization or profession; and

• A Community Adaptation Coordinator to actively manage the site to provide continuous portal support.

Register today!

Simply click on the "register" button above and fill out the registration form. Upon review of your registration, the CRLS CoP coordinator will grant you access to the site.

For more information, please contact Danker Kolijn, CRLS Co-Chair, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The CRLS CoP was developed by the Climate Risk Institute (previously known as the Ontario Centre for Climate Impacts and Adaptation Resources, OCCIAR) with support from the Coastal Zone Canada Association.