With funding from the New Brunswick Environmental Trust Fund, ACAP Saint John coordinated and implemented nature-based climate change adaptation projects across multiple urban sites in Saint John, focusing on stormwater mitigation, restoration of native biodiversity and their habitat, and community engagement. Across all sites, more than 900 native trees, shrubs, and perennials were installed to increase infiltration, reduce runoff velocity, and stabilize soils. Green infrastructure practices—including bioswales, rain gardens, shade trees, and riparian plantings—were integrated into neighbourhood parks, school grounds, commercial properties, and industrial parks to reduce localized flooding and improve downstream watershed health. Nearly 200 volunteers contributed hands-on support through planting events and stewardship activities. Through this project, 16 large native trees and three gardens were planted at Ocean Drive Playground with the help of 47 volunteers. A Mini Forest with over 150 trees, shrubs, and wildflowers was planted at Glen Falls School with 33 students, and a rain barrel system was designed and installed to capture roof runoff for watering the plants. At Origins Academy, a rain garden with 182 native perennials and shrubs was planted by 62 students to improve infiltration along high-traffic paths. CLOW and Inteplast partnered with ACAP Saint John to install a bioswale with 146 native plants in an industrial drainage ditch to slow and filter stormwater runoff. Finally, nearly 700 trees and shrubs were planted along Majors Brook with a protective berm to stabilize streambanks and intercept stormwater. Collectively, these interventions demonstrate the effectiveness of green infrastructure as a climate change adaptation and environmental enhancement measure, providing measurable hydrological and ecological benefits while strengthening community climate resilience through hands-on learning.

For almost 30 years, ACAP Saint John has been a leader in environmental stewardship throughout the Greater Saint John area, conducting successful community-based environmental initiatives that have engaged thousands of citizens and organisations over the years. Through funding from the New Brunswick Environmental Trust Fund, ACAP Saint John’s ‘Advancing Climate, Freshwater, and Ocean Literacy Through Community Engagement’ project has been able to mobilise over 900 people through our engagement and educational events, conduct multiple cleanup drives to remove refuse and debris from our waterways by engaging 94 volunteers, and reach 20,000 unique users through our digital outreach campaigns to build awareness and education on climate change adaptation, stormwater, water quality, and ocean conservation and biodiversity.

ACAP Saint John expanded environmental awareness and education initiatives to residents of all ages and demographics including decision makers, city staff, developers, community members, and students. These ambitious initiatives have advanced environmental awareness and action in the region and will continue to protect our environment by improving our watercourses, wildlife habitat and urban green spaces.