In 1990, the Niagara Escarpment was designated a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. It’s a very important landscape feature. We ski on it, bike, hike and climb on it. Most of our local watersheds start on the Escarpment. It is a karst dolostone formation that is thoroughly percolated with pure groundwater. Learn more about the Niagara Escarpment here.

The Niagara Escarpment Commission (NEC) is an agency of the Government of Ontario formed to protect the Escarpment. Visit their website to access the latest Plan (2017). We work directly with the NEC on Escarpment issues important to the Blue Mountain Watershed, like aggregate extraction.

The issues

Issues that we tackle with respect to the Niagara Escarpment revolve around development: residential, commercial, agricultural and especially aggregate extraction. We monitor development permit applications listed on the NEC website. When there is something important that we don’t agree with, we take action. At time of writing, we are talking with Duntroon Highlands (golf course) about their application to change their water management practices.

How you can help

You can help the Trust in its efforts by becoming a member or by making a tax-deductible donation. If there is a Niagara Escarpment-related issue that you think deserves our attention, please get in touch.

One of the most important things you can do is to write and express any concerns that you have to your local MPP and to:

Niagara Escarpment Commission

Tel: (905) 877-5191

232 Guelph Street, Halton Hills (Georgetown), Ontario L7G 4B1

www.escarpment.org

Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

David Piccini

905-372-4000

david.piccini@pc.ola.org

Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks

College Park

5th Floor, 777 Bay St.

Toronto, ON

M7A 2J3

Tel.: 416-314-6790