Where we come from & Where we are going…
The Escarpment Corridor Alliance is a regional conservation charity dedicated to protecting the Niagara Escarpment of Southern Georgian Bay. By creating a connected ecological corridor, we ensure a legacy of biodiversity, recreation & wellness, and sustainability for generations to come. Together, we can balance nature, economy, agriculture, and community while safeguarding the heart of our region. For nature. For people. For good.
ECA Strategic Focus
Conservation & Collaboration for Collective Impact
We protect green spaces, preserve biodiversity and promote sustainability through land conservation, natural corridors and strategic partnerships.
We Conserve
Identify key biodiverse areas and important ecological corridors while preventing inappropriate development.
We Create
Create a science-based natural corridor system and promote a Conservation Economy.
We Collaborate
Collaborate with like-minded local groups and conservation organizations to achieve collective impact.
Southern Georgian Bay Niagara Escarpment
Ecological Corridor Identification Area
Phase 1
Sensitive Lands , waterways & threatened species identification areas
What does the future look like for the ECA?
ECA Strategic Plan 2025-2027
The Escarpment Corridor Alliance (ECA) is a registered charity formed to raise awareness for the need to actively protect and preserve the Niagara Escarpment, watersheds and natural environment that encompass South Georgian Bay. Read our strategic plan and learn more about where we are headed and the impact we hope to achieve to protect and connect the escarpment for nature, for people and for good.
Why Are We Creating a Forever-Connected Corridor?
Protecting Biodiverse Lands
The lands along the Niagara escarpment of South Georgian Bay are essential to locals, visitors, wildlife, and local economies. By creating a connected corridor, we can protect these biodiverse places from inappropriate development — for good.
The Castle Glen Forest
The historic Castle Glen Forest above Collingwood comprises 1,500 acres of forest, streams, and wetlands is at risk of development. The ECA is advocating to preserve these lands from inappropriate development.
The Talisman Lands
Grey County sold this 134-acre swath of public land, fields and forest gracing Beaver Valley to a Toronto-based developer. The ECA is actively advocating to preserve these lands from inappropriate development.
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Stay Updated with Our Posts
Recent Blogs
Check out our most recent updates below. Read all our content by visiting our Blog & News page!
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Nature
June is National Indigenous History Month
June marks Indigenous History Month—a time to reflect on the deep and ongoing relationships between Indigenous Peoples and the lands we call home. Here on the Niagara Escarpment of South…
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Nature
Treating Mental Health through Nature
In a recent release from StatsCan, Collingwood was ranked the highest for life satisfaction according to their official Quality of Life Framework. This comes as no surprise to the…
Land Acknowledgement
We are grateful to live, work, and learn on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Ojibway, and Anishinabek. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties.
We acknowledge and deeply appreciate their historic connection to this place since time immemorial. We also recognize the contributions that Haudenosaunee, Ojibway, Anishinabek, and other Indigenous peoples have made, both in shaping and strengthening this community in particular, and our province and country as a whole.
This recognition of the contributions and historic importance of Indigenous peoples must also be clearly and overtly connected to our collective commitment to do our part to advance reconciliation in our communities. We must work together to ensure our communities advance relationships with Indigenous peoples built on meaningful consultation rooted in truth and imbued with justice.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions? Find answers to common questions and helpful insights.
The Escarpment Corridor Alliance (ECA) is a registered charity founded in 2022 that is dedicated to protecting and preserving the Niagara Escarpment of South Georgian Bay. Our mission is to establish a permanently protected and connected ecological corridor that safeguards biodiversity, supports human health, and ensures that natural landscapes continue to thrive for generations to come.
We employ a strategic approach focused on conserving vital green spaces by utilizing private landowner options—such as Other Effective Conservation Measures (OECMs) and land trust agreements—and actively opposing inappropriate mega developments. This multifaceted strategy helps maintain and enhance the ecological integrity of the region while preserving areas rich in biodiversity.
Our work goes beyond land conservation. ECA is committed to creating a strategically designed natural corridor that links fragmented habitats, ensuring that both wildlife and local communities benefit from increased connectivity. By fostering a conservation economy, we not only protect natural spaces but also promote sustainable development that honors the balance between nature and human progress.
Collaboration is at the heart of our approach. We work closely with local groups, community organizations, and environmental partners to share a unified vision for the future of the Escarpment. Through strategic partnerships and coordinated efforts, we amplify our collective impact—ensuring that our conservation initiatives are informed by diverse perspectives and community needs.
Our initiatives include focused efforts to protect sensitive and threatened areas, such as the Castle Glen Forest and the Talisman Lands. These projects exemplify our commitment to preventing unsustainable development while preserving historic and ecologically valuable landscapes. In addition, our work on establishing a connected ecological corridor demonstrates our forward-thinking approach to conservation.
We recognize and deeply appreciate that we work on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee, Ojibway, and Anishinabek peoples. Our land acknowledgement reflects our commitment to honoring Indigenous stewardship and contributions. ECA actively seeks to build meaningful relationships and engage in consultation with Indigenous communities, ensuring that our conservation practices are inclusive and contribute to broader reconciliation efforts.