Overview

Kees Lokman, Vanessa Lueck, Matt Osler, and Eric Balke helped with the development of the new ‘Canadian Design Guidance on Nature-based Infrastructure for Coastal Flood and Erosion Risk Management’. The guidance and standards developed are key to build confidence and best practices in nature-based infrastructure design.

This guide explains how nature-based infrastructure can help protect coastal communities from flooding and erosion. Instead of relying only on hard structures like seawalls, it focuses on using natural features—like beaches and dunes—or building systems that work like nature. These approaches not only reduce risks from storms and rising water, but also support the environment and bring extra benefits for people, like recreation and habitat for wildlife.