As we wrap up 2025, we reflect with gratitude on the generous funding provided by the Greenbelt Foundation for our 2024 Ecological Corridor Identification Project. The goal of this project was to give the Escarpment Corridor Alliance a strong scientific foundation to define the most Important Areas for Biodiversity and to consider how we can best improve ecological connectivity across South Georgian Bay. This geospatial analysis was completed by Dobbin International in late 2024 and early 2025.
Building on this foundational work, the Escarpment Corridor Alliance has defined the Area of Influence in which we aim to improve outcomes for biodiversity by preserving essential ecosystem services and critical habitat in South Georgian Bay. For Nature. For People. For Good.
We are deeply grateful to the Greenbelt Foundation for investing in this essential early work and for helping us turn research into lasting conservation action.
What is next?
In the video below, Jim Dobbin, President of Dobbin International, shares key findings from the study that helped shape the ECA’s refined Area of Influence and a vision of a potential connected natural corridor in South Georgian Bay. The Escarpment of South Georgian Bay – part of a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve – is largely protected under Ontario’s Greenbelt Act. Despite this, the region remains under ongoing pressure from development due to its proximity to nature, recreation, and Canada’s largest population centre. The ECA is grateful for the support of the Greenbelt Foundation by helping to fund this geospatial analysis through their 2024 Resilient Greenbelt Fund. This foundational work will ensure the ECA’s activities as a new land trust will be rooted in science – protecting nature, supporting people, and safeguarding this region for future generations.
As a foundational study – we’ve used the Ecological Corridor Identification Project to expand our area of influence and started to pull new, important information relating to key areas of biodiversity. As you will see, watersheds have influenced much of the area, as they are extremely important for the balance of this precious ecosystem.
