The Bluenose Coastal Action Foundation (BCAF), formerly the Bluenose Atlantic Coastal Action Program (BACAP), was incorporated in December of 1993 as part of the Federal Green Plan to develop remedial action plans for Atlantic Canadian harbours. The Atlantic Coastal Action Program (ACAP) was originally conceived to respond to the urgent need to restore human-impacted coastal environments so that they could continue to sustain coastal communities. In the early stages of formation, the board of directors (comprised of various local community members) defined the objective of the organization through the following vision statement:

. . . to facilitate the necessary action to protect and enhance the environmental quality of the watershed and coastal areas, in full collaboration with and in support of a healthy and prosperous community. This will be accomplished through awareness of, active listening to and responding to community concerns, with commitment to consensual partnerships and collaborative initiatives.

This community-based joint planning/multi-stakeholder process is a unique program specifically designed to address coastal issues through community-driven planning and management activities. As part of this “unique” process, each ACAP site has been required to write a comprehensive environmental management plan (CEMP) for their area. BCAF has completed this task and has been in the process of conducting remedial options outlined in this plan for some time. However, as the organization just recently celebrated their 10 year anniversary, they are also in the process of updating and renewing their CEMP.

BCAF’s watershed boundaries include the coastline from Indian Point to the LaHave River estuary and inland to include the LaHave River and Mushamush River watersheds. The Towns of Mahone Bay, Lunenburg, Bridgewater, and New Germany all fall within these boundaries.

In short, BCAF is a non-profit charitable organization that addresses the environmental concerns within a Lunenburg County watershed. BCAF’s goal is to promote the restoration, enhancement, and conservation of our ecosystem through research, education, and action. BCAF receives direction from a volunteer Board of Directors supported through a full-time Executive Director. BCAF has been an established member of the Lunenburg County community since its inception in December 1993. Over the past 10 years, BCAF has successfully completed a number of projects in the Towns of Mahone Bay, Lunenburg, Bridgewater, and Chester.


Board of Directors, 2008-2009


Co-Chair


Co-Chair, Represents Town of Mahone Bay


Executive Director


Treasurer


Secretary, Represents Municipality of the District of Lunenburg


Retired Naval Officer


Represents Town of Bridgewater


Represents Municipality of the District of Chester


Biologist


Past Chair, Highliner Foods


Fisheries and Oceans Canada


Represents Town of Lunenburg


Advisors to the Board or Non-Voting Members


Environment Canada


NS Dept of Environment and Labour


Last Modified: Fri, Jun 6, 2008