Bras d'Or Lake Biosphere Region Association

06/05/2026

The Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Region Association (BLBRA) is pleased to present Bras d’Or Lake’s first CoastReach stands engaging community members and visitors to help monitor coastline changes over time.

How does it work? Simply snap a photo by placing your cell phone in a mounted cradle and submit it by following the instructions. In this way, you participate in community science.

Two photo stands will be unveiled in June:
• Iona Port Beach, Sunday, June 7th at 12:30pm
• Marble Mountain Beach on Saturday, June 13th at 2:00pm

A third stand will be installed at Castle Bay Beach in Eskasoni at a later date.

Once multiple photos are shared, time lapse videos will be developed which can be viewed by anyone online at GeoReach.ca. These videos tell an almost real-time story of coastal dynamics. In addition, researchers at the University of Waterloo will help the BLBRA and local communities transform the data into usable data to track all kinds of coastal changes:
• Sediment transport – erosion and deposition
• shoreline retreat
• storm surge
• ice cover
• vegetation structure
• beach use

This initiative is a result of collaboration between Àros Na Mara, Marble Mountain Community, Eskasoni Fish and Wildlife Commission, the BLBRA and GeoReach Citizen Science and has been made possible by the Clean Foundation under the Nova Scotia Shared Coastal Park Sector's climate adaptation strategy, a project funded by NS DECC.

For more information contact: Veronika Brzeski
[email protected]
(902) 294-0648

06/04/2026

Please join us on one of our four Bras d'Or Watch events spread over the summer. The first one is this Sunday in Iona during Ocean Week and the World Ocean Day celebration. We will be unveiling out first of three CoastReach camera stands in the Bioshere to engage community members and visitors to help monitor coastline changes in the lake over time.

06/03/2026

There are two signature events at the World Oceans Day on Sunday June 7th that you can sign up for:
BCEFF film festival - https://www.bceff.org/event-details/celebrating-ocean-week-canada-iona-ns
Science Forum - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/world-oceans-day-science-forum-keeping-our-little-ocean-healthy-tickets-1990889454953?aff=oddtdtcreator
There will also be CoastReach post unveiling and a Bras d'Or Watch in the afternoon. Come out enjoy some music, food and become a citizen scientist!

06/03/2026

It's Ocean Week! This week is full of opportunities to get out and explore the beautiful Bras d'Or. Àros na Mara Discovery Centre in Iona have a full list of events, with lots of different ways to enjoy. The biosphere will be out exploring the water with some fun activities, so come out and say hi!

05/25/2026

Bird watchers and early risers - this event is for you!

05/22/2026

Nature is our strongest ally, and protecting it is essential for our shared future. 🌍🌿

Biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented rate, with ecosystems facing growing pressures from climate change, pollution, overexploitation, invasive species and urbanisation. Yet these living systems sustain all life on Earth.

Across its sites, and , UNESCO works with communities, scientists, Indigenous Peoples and partners to protect biodiversity, restore ecosystems and strengthen the resilience of both nature and people.

This is a call to act: to rethink our relationship with nature and help restore balance for a more sustainable world.

Learn more: https://www.unesco.org/en/days/biological-diversity

05/21/2026

Never too late!

As our elders remind us, if we take care of the bees, everything else will follow.
Happy World Bee Day 🌸🐝

05/20/2026

World Ocean Week and 10th Anniversary of Ocean Day Celebrations in Iona.
Hope you can take it in.

🌊 ÀROS NA MARA OCEAN WEEK / WORLD OCEANS DAY 2026 🌊

🎉 Celebrating 10 Years! 🎉

📍 Port of Iona, Cape Breton | Victoria County
📅 May 31 – June 7, 2026

Join us for a week of community, culture, science, music, youth leadership, and celebration as we mark the 10th Anniversary of Ocean Week / World Oceans Day at Àros na Mara!

This milestone year brings together Mi’kmaw, Gaelic, Acadian, scientific, and community voices to celebrate and protect the Bras d’Or Lake / Pitu’paq UNESCO Biosphere Region.

🌿 Highlights include:
🎶 Live music and community celebrations
🌊 World Oceans Day waterfront festivities
🤿 BlueROV2 underwater demonstrations
🧪 Interactive lake water testing & citizen science
🥾 International Trails Day hike & beach cleanup
🎨 Art shows, youth markets & cultural programming
🐟 Local seafood, food events & community suppers
🧒 Youth Leadership Day and ocean technology showcases
🛶 “The Living Shore” hands-on science experience
🗣️ “Keeping Our Little Ocean Healthy” public talks.

From community BBQs and cèilidhs to ocean technology and climate storytelling, this year’s festival celebrates the people, cultures, and waters that connect us all.

💙 Come celebrate a decade of community stewardship, learning, and love for the Lake.

📍 Àros na Mara Discovery Centre & venues throughout Iona

📲 Schedule updates and details will be posted soon!

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05/19/2026

Have you ever wanted to get more involved in the biosphere? Do you have a passion for your community and want to contribute to the BLBRA?
Our board is committed to helping steer the biosphere and supports many committees including Trails, Community Engagement and Learning (CEAL), Communications and more. There are lots of ways to get involved and help shape the future of the biosphere. Time commitment 20-35 hours per year, attending board meetings, AGM and supporting committees.
Contact [email protected] to get more information or click this link: https://www.capebretonjobboard.com/jobs/18909

05/15/2026

You are invited to our 2026 AGM