Local municipalities and environmental partners are coming together in a landmark effort to build climate resilience along the shores of Lake Huron.
Maitland Conservation is officially launching the Southern Lake Huron Coastal Adaptation Strategy, a comprehensive initiative aimed at protecting 56 kilometres of shoreline from the increasing impacts of climate change. The project spans approximately 900 hectares of residential, recreational, public, and private land stretching across the Town of Goderich, the Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh, and the Municipality of Central Huron.
The project will be formally unveiled on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Goderich Municipal Office, where representatives from all partner organizations will speak about the initiative and its long-term vision.
Backed by federal funding from the Canada Water Agency under the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative, and Natural Resources Canada through the Climate-Resilient Coastal Communities Program, the strategy is being delivered in partnership with Conservation Ontario and supported by local municipalities. Together, these agencies are advancing four core projects designed to address current threats and prepare the Lake Huron coast for future conditions.
The Coastal Adaptation Strategy is built around four key initiatives aimed at enhancing shoreline resilience. The first is the Goderich Sediment Pathway Restoration, a pilot project that will work to restore natural sediment movement along the shoreline. By employing sediment bypass techniques and nature-based solutions, the initiative will help rebuild and maintain beach areas that serve as critical buffers against erosion while supporting coastal ecosystems.
The second component involves Transformative Development Policies. Maitland Conservation will lead a review of existing shoreline management policies and create climate-resilient planning recommendations designed to reduce community exposure to flooding and erosion risks while promoting long-term sustainability.
The third initiative is the creation of a Planned Relocation Manual, a practical guide for municipalities considering moving infrastructure or assets away from high-risk coastal areas. This manual will offer tools, strategies, and best practices to help local governments respond proactively to shoreline hazards.
The fourth element is the formation of a Littoral-Cell Technical Committee, which will bring together scientists, planners, and local experts to guide decision-making based on the natural movement patterns of sediment along the coast.
Ed McGugan, Chair of Maitland Conservation, says the project represents a vital step in building shoreline resilience. "By combining science, local knowledge, and practical solutions, we’re not only protecting infrastructure, but also supporting the natural heritage and economic vitality of the Lake Huron coast," McGugan said.
Other speakers at Tuesday’s launch include Bonnie Fox, Policy and Planning Director with Conservation Ontario, and Goderich Mayor Trevor Bazinet. The event will also feature presentations on the Goderich sediment bypass project and broader shoreline policy work being carried out by Maitland Conservation staff and partners like Zuzek Inc.
More information about the Southern Lake Huron Coastal Adaptation Strategy will be made available through Maitland Conservation’s website at www.mvca.on.ca.