HomeWarming

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CLEAN CLIMATE

Our contributions to a cleaner climate include:

The climate is changing, putting our ecosystems, economic livelihoods and even way of life at risk. We need to make forward-thinking choices in energy efficiency, transportation and cleaner energy, as well as strategic adaptations to climate change.

It’s important to us that people living with lower incomes benefit from energy efficiency. That’s why Clean Foundation and Efficiency Nova Scotia offer HomeWarming, which helps homeowners save money on heating & cooling bills, feel more comfortable, and reduce their carbon footprint. 

Through the program, we offer free home energy efficiency upgrades to eligible homeowners. Clean works on electrically heated homes and Efficiency Nova Scotia looks after non-electrically heated homes.

Home Energy Assessment

Clean Foundation helps Nova Scotians learn how they can reduce their energy consumption, save money on heating & cooling costs, and lower their greenhouse gas emissions. A home energy advisor provides participants with a current enerGuide rating, a detailed analysis of their home, upgrade recommendations, info on rebates, and the potential energy rating of the home after retrofits.

Home Energy Assessment is an initiative of Efficiency Nova Scotia – 

Clean Foundation is a provider of this initiative.

Clean Energy Financing

Residents of four Nova Scotian municipalities can upgrade their homes’ efficiency, install clean energy options, save money now and into the future…and pay for the retrofits at a pace they can afford. 

Clean Foundation partnered with the Town of Bridgewater, and the Districts of Lunenburg, Shelburne and Digby to launch Clean Energy Financing. The municipalities offer homeowners low-cost financing over ten years, and we do the analysis to make sure residents save as much or even more in energy and heating expenses than the cost of the retrofits. The investments pay for themselves.

Our impact this year:

548 electrically heated homes were assessed

503 homes received free energy savings upgrades

Projected energy savings of over 2,500 megawatt hours

Projected greenhouse gas reductions of 999 tonnes of CO2

Our impact this year:

Energy use reduced by 1,300 

megawatt hours 

Our impact this year:

25 homeowners 

participated in 

Clean Energy Financing

Upgrades included 

insulation, draft-sealing, windows, heat pumps, and heat recovery ventilation

The Clean Energy Financing pilot project will continue!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

First Nations Clean Energy

Our impact this year:

“The HomeWarming program surpassed our expectations with the quality and extent of the work provided. 

And it’s going to make a big difference in the bills.”

WINNER of the 

Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities’ 2016 Climate Change Leaders Award

Hover your mouse 

(or tap on mobile) over images to see facts about our impact!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

New Dawn Energy Efficiency Pilot

Paq’tnkek First Nation:

10 assessments 

& 

9 retrofitted houses

"Our house is significantly warmer now, thanks to Clean Energy Financing. Rooms that were the coldest in the house are now the warmest – and where we love to hang out."

We’koqma’q First Nation:

13 assessments 

& 

8 retrofitted houses

Our impact this year:

76 rental units received assessments and upgrades

Retrofits include heat pumps, insulation, hot water tank wraps, LED lights, draft-sealing and low-flow faucet aerators

Estimated energy consumption reduction of 

230 megawatts per year

Projected annual greenhouse gas reductions of 186 tonnes of CO2

                  283 home energy                                             assessments

185 follow-up 

assessments 

after retrofits

Supported by: Nova Scotia Power / Government of Nova Scotia

Supported by: Efficiency Nova Scotia

Supported by: Town of Bridgewater / District of Lunenburg / 

District of Digby / District of Shelburne / Province of Nova Scotia

Supported by: Paq’tnkek First Nation / We’koqma’q First Nation / Nova Scotia Power (pilot projects)

Supported by: Nova Scotia Power / New Dawn Enterprises

Clean Energy Financing

HomeWarming

Wait! Want to watch a video before you go?

We’koqma’q phase 2 included: 75 home energy assessments & planned retrofits; LED lighting installed in 200 buildings; community engagement on efficiency

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Our contributions to cleaner water 

and less waste include:

Water is a basic necessity for all life, but our oceans, lakes, rivers and streams are threatened by human impact. Citizens can take action to improve the health of our watersheds and also reduce the waste we produce – because too much garbage ends up in our waters.

CLEAN WATER

Hover your mouse
(or tap on mobile) over images to see facts about our impact!

Atlantic Stormwater Initiative

Water that pools on the ground during periods of heavy rain as well as snowmelt is called stormwater. It can spread harmful pollutants like fertilizers, pesticides, oil, and garbage into nearby rivers, lakes, and the ocean. It can also lead to costly flooding and cause sewer systems to backup and overflow. 

That’s why our Atlantic Stormwater Initiative promotes best practices in stormwater management and supports a network of experts, policy makers, landowners and stakeholders. 

Our impact this year:

Supported by: Environment Canada / Nova Scotia Environment / RBC Blue Water Foundation / CBCL Ltd. / Halifax Water / City of Charlottetown / New Dawn Enterprises / City of Moncton

Developed an interactive online map of low-impact development projects in Atlantic Canada

Designed and installed three stormwater management demonstration sites in Nova Scotia, PEI and New Brunswick

Expanded the stormwater info network to over 200 people

Launched the AtlanticStormwater.ca website featuring resources and tools for effective stormwater management

Ship-to-Shore

Ship-to-Shore engages commercial fishers on waste management in harbours and on fishing vessels. Through targeted education and outreach, infrastructure support and our garbage & recycling ‘boat bins’, more and more fishers are returning waste to shore for proper disposal.

We started in Nova Scotia but we’re sharing the program concept in the rest of Atlantic Canada.

Supported by:  Fisheries and Oceans’ Small Craft Harbours program / Nova Scotia Environment / Divert Nova Scotia

Our impact this year:

23 new harbour assessments and follow-up visits, bringing the total number of participating harbours to 143

5 fishing harbour clean-ups completed in Nova Scotia

95% of harbours have adopted 

at least one waste management recommendation

10 captains received a boat bin and evaluation

115 fishers engaged through on-the-ground meetings

Great Nova Scotia Litter Pick-Me-Up

The Great Pick-Me-Up is the biggest volunteer-driven community clean-up program in Nova Scotia. Clean provides supplies and support to participants (individuals, groups, businesses, schools) to carry out community-based clean-ups across the province. 

Litter is unsightly, poses health risks, affects water quality, and wildlife often mistaken it for food. Nova Scotia is a surrounded by ocean and 80% of the massive amount of plastic ending up in the ocean is coming from land. Launched in 1992, our Pick-Me-Up is the longest-running litter clean-up program in Nova Scotia.

Supported by:  GLAD Canada / City of Halifax / Divert Nova Scotia

Our impact this year:

276 clean-up events with 14,500 volunteer participants

10,000 garbage bags 

of litter picked up

1,500 bags of recyclables collected and recycled

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Clean Watersheds

Over centuries of settlement and development, many of Nova Scotia’s streams and watersheds have been damaged. Watercourses that once meandered with deep pools, fast riffles and overhanging vegetation have become straight, shallow and exposed to the elements.

Rather than being occupied by bountiful Atlantic salmon and brook trout, some streams are now home to invasive small-mouth bass and chain pickerel. Our Clean Watersheds program works to improve and restore streams back to their original health. 

Supported by: Department of Fisheries & Oceans Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program / Forest Ontario / 

Forest Recovery Canada / Halifax Regional Municipality / Honda Canada / Nova Scotia Salmon Association/NSLC Adopt-a-Stream / 

TD Friends of the Environment Foundation / Sitka / Labatt / WWF-Loblaw Water Fund

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Atlantic Reef Balls

Severe storms, coastal development and human activity have degraded or destroyed fish and shellfish habitats, leading to a decline in the size and health of coastal marine life populations in Nova Scotia.

Artificial reefs are designed to create or restore marine habitat by fostering the growth of an ecosystem that supports fish and shellfish populations. In addition to providing shelter and protection to fish species, artificial reefs support the growth of algae, which is a foundational piece in the ecosystem. Atlantic Reef Balls also serve as habitats for spawning and reproduction.

Our impact this year:

Our impact this year:

Built and installed 120 new reef balls off McNabs Island and in the Bedford Basin

Monitored and inspected all 380 reef balls in four locations in Halifax Harbour – all sites have become healthy habitat for marine life

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Fix-it-Fair

Our first Fix-It-Fair was held in Halifax during national Waste Reduction Week. The successful public engagement event featured workshops on upcycling and repurposed art, fix-it workshops, business expo, and a unique repair café with fix-it experts on hand – if you broke it, we tried to fix it. 

It was also an opportunity to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Divert Nova Scotia – the agency that helps foster a culture of recycling in Nova Scotia.

Over 100 attendees

3 local artists leading upcycling workshops

10 local repair businesses, plus on-site repair cafe

Total area restored: 10,258 m2 through
• 50 step-pools created in Frenchman Brook and Bell Brook
• 3 bank stabilization structures along Ellenvale Run
• Removed 84 debris jams in 3 streams
• 1,022 trees planted in stream riparian zones (23 native species)

• Completed 2 full fish habitat assessments (Bell Brook and Frenchman Brook)
• Monthly water quality monitoring at 25 sites

• 467 volunteer hours contributed to restoration achievements (planting trees, assessing streams, etc.)

• 4 community tree-planting events to educate people about the role trees play in watershed restoration

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Our contributions to fostering and supporting clean leaders include:

Strong leadership is key to achieving a green economy and sustainable society – now and into the future. We want to inspire and educate environmental leaders of all ages. Clean knows that today’s youth will be tomorrow’s leaders.

CLEAN LEADERS

Hover your mouse
(or tap on mobile) over images to see facts about our impact!

Nova Scotia Youth Corps

The Nova Scotia Youth Corps nurtures an interest in jobs that support a future-looking economy and a sustainable environment. And we offer opportunities to gain skills and experience in this growing green sector here at home.

By providing young adults with training and employment opportunities in the environmental field, we help equip them with the knowledge and aptitude to become leaders in their communities while delivering meaningful environmental projects across the province. In addition to a summer employment program, we also offer an Aboriginal Leadership stream. 

Our impact this year:

Supported by: Province of Nova Scotia / Government of Canada / Echo Foundation / Shell Canada / Telus

Students worked on 

41 environmental projects across the province

66 students received paid work experience in the environment field

The cumulative hours worked by Youth Corps interns was 

23,095 hours

15 Indigenous youth participated in the Aboriginal Leadership Program

With the generous support of Environment & Climate Change Canada, Clean began initial research and capacity-building to expand Youth Corps to all of Atlantic Canada

Barbados Youth Corps

Building on the success of the Youth Corps – which has helped thousands of youth in Nova Scotia – Clean took the program beyond our borders to the Caribbean. This first year of the Barbados Youth Corps was coordinated by Future Centre Trust with assistance and mentorship from Clean.

Supported by: Future Centre Trust / Barbados Renewable Energy Association / CIBC First Caribbean Bank

Our impact this year:

3 post-secondary students worked for 

8 weeks on environmental projects hosted by community-based groups 

in Barbados

Students gained 

professional development 

and ongoing mentoring

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

EnviroEd

Our EnviroEd program nurtures the environmental awareness that students will take with them for the rest of their lives. We help children and youth develop an empathetic connection to the natural environment while learning in a classroom setting where contact with nature is often limited. 

Supported by: Nova Scotia Environment / Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness / Divert Nova Scotia / TD Friends of the Environment Foundation / Loblaws / Cumberland Energy Authority

Workshops are curriculum-aligned for each age group to facilitate smooth integration into the classroom. Our popular Clean the Air workshops and Eddie the Eco-Cat Superhero puppet shows have engaged students from across the province to help develop the next generation of environmental leaders. And Eddie has entered the digital realm with our new online games.  

Our impact this year:

• Eddie Eco-Cat presentations on litter and air quality reached 4,212 Primary to Grade Three students across Nova Scotia

• Clean the Air & Climate Change presentations reached 490 Grade 4 & 5 students

• French language Eddie Eco-Cat and Clean the Air presentations reached 562 students

Launch of EnviroEddie online & app-based computer games

supereddiegames.ca

Launched Eddie’s Waste-Less School Lunch Challenge

Presented on our educational approach at conferences including: 

Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication; North American Association for Environmental Education; Nova Scotia Teachers Association for Literacy and Learning; Association of Science Teachers

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Clean Scholarship Award

Clean established a $20,000 scholarship fund in 2008 in celebration of our 20th anniversary. The first scholarship was granted in spring 2009 in the amount of $2,000, and a scholarship will be awarded each year until 2019. Each award is granted to a Nova Scotia graduate student (Masters or PhD) conducting research in the area of environmental studies.

Our impact this year:

In 2017 we awarded our scholarship to Amy Heim, who will research how green roofs can help absorb stormwater, mitigate pollution, help heat and cool buildings, and contribute to bio-diversity.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Membership & Coalitions

Clean Foundation is involved in many partnerships and networks, and joins strategic coalitions that advance our work. Our staff also sit on boards, steering committees, and round tables, to help support the broader environmental sector. 

These include:

• TD Friends of the Environment Foundation Board of Directors

• Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication Board of Directors
• Minister’s Round Table on Environment and Sustainable Prosperity
• Global Ghost Gear Initiative steering committee

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Green Stories & Content Creation

While we work directly on green solutions – we may be Clean, but we don’t mind getting our hands dirty – we know that education on environmental issues is critical to long-term change. That’s why many of our programs incorporate public engagement and learning. We also contribute to broader public discourse by creating original content on the environment and the green economy.

Our impact this year:

30 original videos on environmental topics and Clean programs

7 original print/digital stories

5 new episodes of The Clean Show, our podcast series