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Strong communities depend on healthy environments, and ACAP Cape Breton has been working to protect and restore the natural environment of Unama’ki-Cape Breton for more than 30 years.
Atlantic Coastal Action Program (ACAP) Cape Breton was founded in 1992 to address industrial pollution, and has grown into a charitable not-for-profit organization focused on practical, community-based environmental action. Its mission is to support resilient, environmentally sustainable communities across Unama’ki-Cape Breton.
ACAP’s work is built around four core areas: habitat restoration, monitoring and research, environmental education, and waste diversion. Across each area, the organization incorporates climate change adaptation and biodiversity conservation while working alongside community members, schools, municipalities, universities and other organizations.
ACAP Cape Breton’s habitat restoration work reaches from streams and wetlands to forests across the island. The organization has more than two decades of experience restoring stream habitats, using an ecological approach to improve water quality, fish habitat and connectivity. Projects can include installing deflectors and digger logs, restoring stream banks, addressing barriers to fish passage and planting vegetation along riparian zones. ACAP also works with communities and municipalities on riparian management and restoration.
ACAP Cape Breton also provides wetland assessments and delineation services to help landowners and businesses identify wetlands early, avoid costly construction issues, and support responsible development in our region.
Forest restoration is another growing area of work. Through its Forest Restoration team and programs such as Adopt a Forest and Back2Trees, ACAP is working to restore native Wabanaki-Acadian forests, improve biodiversity and build climate-resilient ecosystems. Adopt a Forest offers individuals and families the opportunity to dedicate trees or forest pockets in memory of loved ones, creating a lasting living tribute while supporting wildlife habitat. This year, ACAP has Sugar Maples and Red Oak available for adoption, both long-lived native species that can grow for up to 300 years.
This work also includes assessing restoration sites, developing planting plans, improving soil health and planting diverse native tree and shrub species suited to local conditions. The organization also brings people into this work through tree planting events, school visits and opportunities for community groups to participate in restoration activities.
ACAP’s environmental monitoring and research helps build a better understanding of Cape Breton’s land and waterways while informing conservation and restoration efforts. Its work includes wetland research, source water protection, frog monitoring and species-at-risk monitoring, with community members and partners contributing to local ecosystem stewardship. ACAP also monitors pollinators, including monarch butterflies and at-risk bumble bees, across meadows, fields, roadsides and wetlands, with residents encouraged to contribute observations through iNaturalist.
ACAP also works with the Cape Breton Regional Municipality to monitor source watersheds and lakes that contribute to the region’s drinking water supply. Its work includes throughfall monitoring and seasonal lake sampling at 17 lakes throughout the municipality.
Education is another important part of ACAP’s work, with hands-on programming delivered through partnerships with schools, community organizations and municipalities. From interactive school workshops and local wetland and watershed field trips to public walks and community events, ACAP helps people of all ages better understand and connect with the ecosystems around them. These programs provide opportunities for people to learn about their local environment while taking part in practical activities that connect education with community action.
ACAP’s work also extends to waste diversion and litter prevention. Through The Trashformers, a summer litter pick-up program launched in partnership with the CBRM Solid Waste Department in 2011, teams work to keep communities clean and free of litter. Since the program began, the Trashformers have collected more than 50,000 kilograms of litter throughout the CBRM.
At the heart of ACAP Cape Breton’s work is collaboration. The organization partners with schools, youth-serving organizations, universities, municipalities and environmental and scientific organizations, sharing expertise and learning from local and regional knowledge.
That collaborative approach reflects an important part of building resilient communities: bringing people and organizations together around shared challenges and practical solutions. ACAP Cape Breton offers opportunities for residents, community groups, schools and volunteers to get involved through environmental education, restoration projects, monitoring initiatives, cleanups and other community activities.
Learn more about ACAP Cape Breton’s work, upcoming opportunities and ways to get involved at acapcb.ns.ca.
