Everybody loves the beach, right? Beaches are an integral part of Nova Scotia's coastal ecosystems.  They are diverse, complex, beautiful, and often poorly understood.

They are also one of the province's most valuable assets, providing numerous environmental, social and economic benefits - including protection from storm surges, popular recreation and tourism sites, critical wildlife habitat, and historically important shellfish areas. Beaches in this province require a bold new management approach to reach thier healthy potential - including strong leadership, a clear vision, and measurable goals.

During 2008, the Ecology Action Centre prepared a discussion document about Nova Scotia's beach systems and management issues. To create the document, we conducted a literature review and sought feedback from key experts and stakeholders. The document was designed as a wake-up call for coastal planners, decision-makers and communities. It was also intended to serve as a starting point for fruitful discussions at an EAC Nova Scotia Beach Management Workshop, held on November 28th, 2008 at Oak Island Resort.