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Local nature-based techniques for erosion control on slopes in Nova Scotia, Canada involve a combination of mulching with hay and brush, and planting native species, but there are no quantitative assessments of their effectiveness in the region. These techniques were tested for their effect on soil loss and runoff on slopes. Soil loss and water runoff data from natural rainfall and controlled watering experiments (CWEs) were collected from bounded plots. Soil loss was significantly reduced in the treatments that provided high amounts of soil cover for both natural rainfall and CWEs. Runoff from natural rainfall was not affected by the treatments but runoff was significantly reduced by the mulching treatments in the CWEs. The combination of treatments used to manage erosion caused by rainfall on slopes reduced soil loss from natural rainfall by 98% compared to the controls. Reduction in soil loss was observed for all soil size classes investigated. These techniques can be recommended for reducing erosion on slopes as a soft engineering or "living shorelines" approach. • We tested eco-engineering techniques on steep slopes. • Compared mulching with hay and brush and planting shrubs with controls. • Soil erosion reduced by 98% using hay and brush mulching with shrub planting. • Local soft engineering techniques are effective at reducing runoff and erosion from steep slopes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]