Mark your calendars for the first Nova Scotia Coastal Appreciation Week, running from July 11 to 19, 2026, in celebration of Nova Scotia's coastline and the communities that call it home. Coordinated by the Ecology Action Centre and the Coastal Coalition of Nova Scotia, this week-long celebration will bring together more than two dozen organizations hosting events across the province.

As summer begins along the Atlantic Canadian coast, our team has been as busy as ever engaging with federal processes, standing alongside partners on marine conservation, attending conferences, and bringing environmental law education directly to communities.

This month's newsletter reflects the breadth of that work, from an offshore oil and gas regional assessment to marine protected areas, New Brunswick's environmental law reviews, and an upcoming public workshop in PEI. We hope you enjoy getting caught up with everything we've been up to.

May is a month of renewal. Flowers bloom, trees leaf out, and the coast comes alive as migratory birds return for breeding season and resident wildlife re-emerge from their winter rest. It’s a fitting reminder of the species and ecosystems worth protecting. 

Earth Day began in 1970 as a collective call to action with millions of people coming together to demand better protection for the environment and a healthier future for all. It was rooted in a simple but powerful belief: that people, working together, can create meaningful change. More than 50 years later, that spirit feels as important as ever.

The New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board hearing on New Brunswick Power’s proposed RIGS Project concluded on April 1st. We represented the Conservation Council of New Brunswick in the proceeding, with staff lawyer Tina Northrup taking the lead on the file. 

We’ve been preparing a series of youth environmental law workshops focused on the right to a healthy environment in New Brunswick. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be meeting with youth across the province to explore how environmental rights take shape through law, policy, and public participation. 

We continue to engage in law reform initiatives in Atlantic Canada to protect wetland ecosystems. Check out our most recent blog post that discusses the ongoing review of New Brunswick’s Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, highlighting our staff lawyers’ recommendations to strengthen environmental protection, transparency, and enforcement.

As the year comes to a close, we want to say thank you to everyone who has supported East Coast Environmental Law and worked alongside us to advance our mission in 2025. We wish you all a very Happy New Year. 

A Few Highlights From 2025