What's a 'Berm'?

A berm is defined by Merriam Webster as “a narrow shelf, path, or ledge typically at the top or bottom of a slope; also: a mound or wall of earth or sand”. In landscaping terms, it is a technique used to create interest or privacy or to act as a noise barrier between highways and residential neighbourhoods. A berm was incorporated into the plans for the Alderwood Long Term Care Facility in Baddeck, Nova Scotia. It is approximately 150 metres long by 10 metres high and runs parallel to the highway, approximately 50 metres away from the site.

The Alderwood berm was a great innovation from environmental perspective for multiple reasons. Through the reuse of earthworks on site over 1100 truckloads were diverted from landfill, thereby reducing CO² emissions through the elimination of the 30-minute round trips from the site.

Alderwood residents, staff and visitors benefit from the acoustic (approximately 50% reduction in traffic noise) and visual barrier between the facility and the highway. The berm has reduced the traffic noise to within the recommended range of sound levels for this type of residential facility and landscaping gives it the appearance of a natural hill which is more visually appealing than the busy highway.