Funding to Protect Archeology Sites Against Climate Change

The Province is investing $400,000 to mitigate climate change risks to vulnerable archeological sites, helping ensure the long-term survival of Nova Scotia’s cultural heritage.

With this funding, the Cape Sable Historical Society will implement a climate change adaptation strategy for the archeology sector. The strategy addresses issues and priorities raised by the sector and sets goals for responding to climate change.

“The effects of climate change are broad-reaching, and we need to take action to protect our history from its impacts,” said Environment and Climate Change Minister Timothy Halman. “The climate change adaptation strategy for the archeology sector will help preserve our heritage while confronting the challenges of a changing world. By addressing sector concerns, we are strengthening the foundations of our history against the tide of climate change, ensuring resilience and a lasting legacy for future generations.”

The society will also use the funding to hire an adaptation co-ordinator, create diverse implementation teams and develop strategy work plans.

Quotes:

“We are excited to host the climate change adaptation co-ordinator for the archeology sector here at the Cape Sable Historical Society. In our coastal region, we are well acquainted with the urgency associated with climate change impacts and heritage sites. This funding provides an exceptional opportunity to collaborate, educate, train and implement with a range of communities connected by this growing issue.”

– Samantha Brannen, Managing Director, Cape Sable Historical Society

Quick Facts:

• this funding advances Action 8 of Our Climate, Our Future: Nova Scotia’s Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth – to increase climate change adaptation capacity in communities and business sectors by supporting them in hiring their own climate change co-ordinators to help develop and implement climate change adaptation strategies
• the climate change adaptation strategy for the archeology sector was developed between 2020 and 2022
• based in Barrington, the Cape Sable Historical Society will lead the strategy over two years

Additional Resources:

Our Climate, Our Future: Nova Scotia's Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth: https://climatechange.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/ns-climate-change-plan.pdf

Nova Scotia’s climate risk assessment – Weathering What’s Ahead: Climate Change Risk and Nova Scotia’s Well-being: https://climatechange.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/climate-change-risk-report.pdf

Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act: https://nslegislature.ca/legc/bills/64th_1st/3rd_read/b057.htm