FAQ

FAQs


Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions? Find answers to common questions and helpful insights.

What is the Escarpment Corridors Alliance (ECA), and why is it important?

The Escarpment Corridors Alliance (ECA) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2023 by local residents in South Georgian Bay determined to protect the Niagara Escarpment’s landscapes from irreversible development. We work to safeguard and restore natural corridors—forests, wetlands, rivers, and farmlands—that connect and sustain this ecosystem. These corridors support clean water, thriving wildlife, climate resilience, and the rural way of life that defines this region.

By partnering with communities, landowners, Indigenous leaders, and decision-makers, we’re ensuring that future generations inherit a healthy, connected, and living escarpment.

What is your ultimate goal?

To create connected corridors of park and protected‑land systems running along the Niagara Escarpment—from Devil’s Glen through Blue Mountain to Georgian Peaks, and from Castle Glen across and up and down the Beaver Valley.

What has the ECA achieved so far?

Since becoming a charity in 2023, we’ve halted damaging development proposals; engaged nearly 30,000 citizens; hosted a Nature Corridor Summit and grassroots events; and launched a science‑based study to map critical corridor lands.

Who is on your board?

Our volunteer board comprises passionate leaders from across the ECA geography, all well known to major land conservancies. They bring corporate‑Canada financial, entrepreneurial and governance expertise, organized into more than a dozen clear portfolios.

Founding board highlights:
– Principals behind the 2004 OMB battle against Castle Glen
– CEO who led the 2013 “Mega Quarry” buyout of 6,500 acres in Dufferin County
– Former marketing & economic development lead for Collingwood
– Founding Chair/Director of the Georgian Bay Land Trust
– Immediate past Chair of CREST (Center for Responsible Travel)

Will the work of the ECA result in new legislation or restrictions on my land?

No. We are not creating new policies. We are working with the NEP and NEC to try and…

Are you looking for others to join your board?

Yes! We are always looking for passionate and talented individuals to fill a variety of roles, including:
– Environmental and Scientific Affairs
– Political Action
– Events and Education
– Director at Large (open portfolio)

If you have an interest in joining our board, please keep an eye on our website (insert link), where we regularly post what specific roles we are looking to fill. You can also contact us directly if you know someone who would be a good fit.

How will the proceeds of your fundraising be used?

We fund mission‑critical, interconnected purposes:

– Grassroots awareness building
– Media exposure
– Scientific research and studies
– GIS mapping
– Government lobbying
– Legal and professional services

All board members serve as volunteers and receive no compensation.

What has the ECA achieved so far?

Since becoming a charity in 2023, we’ve successfully halted damaging development proposals, collaborated with other conservation organizations across sectors, informed and engaged nearly 30,000 citizens in the cause. Hosted a Nature Corridor Summit and several grassroots events, began a science-based study to identify the most crucial lands to establish a nature corridor on the escarpment. And we’re just getting started. (insert link to research and reports)

How do I learn more about a specific board member?

Please contact us, and we would be pleased to reach out to you directly.

How does the work that ECA is doing fit in with other organizations?

– Dozens of nonprofits focus on conservation, research, education and recreation along the Escarpment. ECA is unique because:
– Our geographic focus spans the entire Southern Georgian Bay Escarpment corridor.
– We blend education, awareness, political action and strong conservation principles.
– We build a diverse stakeholder coalition for greater political and financial clout.

Early collaborations include: coordinated planning across adjacent conservancies, joint science studies and co‑hosted community events.

Will the work of the ECA result in new legislation or restrictions to what I can do with my land?

No. We are not creating new policies. We are working with the NEP and NEC to try and…

Are donations eligible for tax receipts?

Yes. Through our partnership with Small Change Fund, gifts to ECA’s “Protecting Niagara Escarpment Corridor” project are tax‑receipt eligible.

How can I learn more about your work?

Join our mailing list and newsletter to receive regular updates.

How can my organization, business, or community group collaborate with the ECA?

Collaboration is at the heart of our name. We aim to build alliances with conservation authorities, local businesses, farming associations, municipalities, and Indigenous leaders to drive change on the ground.
Whether it’s co-hosting educational events, co-authoring policy submissions, sponsoring conservation projects, or conducting joint research—there’s a role for you. If your organization shares our vision of a protected, connected escarpment, we want to hear from you.

How will funds that I donate to the ECA be used?

As a youth what can I do to support and get involved with the ECA?

How can I make a difference and support the ECA?

You have the power to shape the future of the escarpment. Here’s how you can get involved:
Make a donation to support long-term conservation projects and land protection efforts. Every dollar helps in establishing a corridor and helping protect the land.

Volunteer with us—whether it’s joining a committee, our board or helping us run community events, your time makes a real difference.

Join as a youth ambassador and help youth understand the impact that the ECA is trying to have.

Advocate when the time comes by signing a petition, filling out a survey, spreading the word or by contacting your local councilor or MPP to support policies that align with ECA’s mission.

Make an alliance if you’re a local business, club, or group. We offer custom sponsorship and community collaboration opportunities.

How will funds that I donate to the ECA be used


When you become a donor, you can choose to support a specific area of the ECA. Whether that be funding a specific project, like Talisman Vision or helping fund a new website or sponsor a special event like the Nature Corridor Summit. Your funds may also be used toward policy and advocacy, community engagement and education, land conservation and most importantly, research and planning of the corridor itself.

As a youth what can I do to support and get involved with the ECA

We need you! You are the future of safeguarding our escarpment. You can become involved byway of volunteering, assisting with environmental events, or having the ECA tag along at one of your events! We want you to help spread the word, for nature, for people and for good!

Is the ECA anti‑development in the face of Ontario’s housing crisis?

Not at all. We support smart, sustainable growth that prioritizes housing in existing urban areas, protects farmland and natural systems, and builds resilient communities. Sprawl is not the answer to a housing crisis—it threatens food security, water quality and the economy.

How will the ECA determine what is inappropriate vs. appropriate development?

Inappropriate development occurs outside existing infrastructure and requires clearing sensitive lands—fragmenting ecosystems and destroying habitat. Appropriate development focuses on infill, intensification, brownfield redevelopment and adaptive reuse that minimize land take and leverage existing services.

What real solutions does the ECA offer to protect land and water?

– Conservation easements: Legal agreements with landowners to keep their land natural and productive.
– Land trust acquisitions: Building capacity to acquire and steward key parcels in perpetuity.
– Connecting fragmented lands: Linking reserves, parks and private holdings to maintain wetlands, watersheds and species corridors.
– We implement proven tools, not just raise awareness—ensuring long‑term protection of land and water.

What real solutions does the ECA offer to protect land and water?

– Conservation easements: Legal agreements with landowners to keep their land natural and productive.
– Land trust acquisitions: Building capacity to acquire and steward key parcels in perpetuity.
– Connecting fragmented lands: Linking reserves, parks and private holdings to maintain wetlands, watersheds and species corridors.
– We implement proven tools, not just raise awareness—ensuring long‑term protection of land and water.


What is an ecological Corridor and what can it do for South Georgian Bay

Ecological corridors are absolutely essential for wildlife and for ecological resilience. They can offer both habitat and linkage routes, improving access to food, water, shelter, mates, and are even more important in a changing climate. They are often a series of formally and/or informally protected land and water, connected by natural corridors, such as waterways and riparian areas, and other intact natural habitat. Without corridors, wildlife can be left isolated in small, fragmented patches of habitat that cannot sustain them long term. Learn what Parks Canada has to say about corridors: Connecting habitats for a healthy planet | Parks Canada

Would a protected corridor prohibit recreational events like snowmobiling, biking or hiking?

Not at all. Many corridors support low‑impact recreation—hiking, biking, cross‑country skiing and, where compatible, snowmobiling—so long as activities align with conservation goals and the landowner’s vision.

Does the ECA support jobs and economic growth?

Absolutely. Our Conservation Economy Report demonstrates how prioritizing conservation fosters a vibrant, innovative economy—supporting green jobs, eco‑tourism and sustainable agriculture that benefit both people and the environment.

Why should farmers and landowners care about the ECA’s work?

We protect what matters most: clean water, healthy soil and the ability to pass land to future generations. Our corridor vision shields farmland from sprawl, buffers fields from floods and droughts, and defends rural livelihoods.

Can you help me better understand the private land conservancy part of your vision?

Many landowners choose to keep large properties undeveloped. ECA partners with the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy and supports the Bruce Trail Conservancy to secure easements, ecological gifts and reserve acquisitions that lock in protection while respecting landowner rights.

What are some actual examples of private landowners’ conservation agreements?

– Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy’s full protection of Springer Congers (51 acres of Provincially Significant Wetlands)
– Bruce Trail Conservancy’s new Eugenia Woods and Balsam Wetlands nature reserves

Both organizations receive ecological gifts under Canada’s Eco‑Gifts program.

What is a UNESCO World Biosphere?

A biosphere reserve designates an ecosystem in three zones: protected core, buffer and transition, fostering biodiversity, sustainable development and community capacity building. There are 686 global sites; 18 in Canada; 4 in Ontario.

Is the area the ECA is trying to protect part of the UNESCO World Biosphere?

Yes. The Niagara Escarpment was designated in 1990, and the Niagara Escarpment Commission oversees it.

Why does the Niagara Escarpment have the UNESCO World Biosphere designation?

It’s Ontario’s most prominent landform, the longest continuous natural corridor in southern Ontario, home to ancient ecosystems, high biodiversity and world‑class hiking along the Bruce Trail.

Can a UNESCO World Biosphere designation be removed?

Yes. UNESCO conducts ten‑year reviews; as of 2018, 45 sites worldwide have been withdrawn—none in Canada. Reviews assess zoning, management, community involvement and conservation outcomes.

Doesn’t the Niagara Escarpment Commission regulate all of this?

Yes, but we believe some past NEC decisions—like Castle Glen’s 2004 approval—missed key conservation opportunities. ECA advocates for applying today’s stronger policies to protect the corridor.

Doesn’t the Bruce Trail already cover the area you’re focused on?

ECA fully supports the Bruce Trail Conservancy’s mission of “Preserving a ribbon of wilderness, for everyone, forever.” We encourage BTC membership and donations. ECA also engages in policy advocacy and extends corridor protection to areas not directly adjacent to the Trail.

What is the history of the Castle Glen Development?

– 1969: 87‑lot Thunder Hill subdivision approved
– 1973: Official Plan Amendment #7 for seasonal‑use residential
– 1985: Niagara Escarpment Plan enacted; OPA 7 grandfathered
– 2001: Application for Official Plan amendment
– 2002–04: OMB hearings; Phase 1 & 2 approved
– 2021: Sold to Great Gulf Homes

For a detailed history, see our Castle Glen position paper.

What does the Official Plan permit for the Castle Glen property?

A resort town: 1,600 residences; 300‑unit hotel/conference centre; three golf courses; two village centres; 54,000 sq ft of retail; gas station; spa; civic and office space—all on prime Escarpment lands.

What makes the Castle Glen property so critical to corridor integrity?

At 1,500+ acres, it anchors both the south‑north axis (Devil’s Glen to Georgian Peaks) and the east‑west axis (Beaver Valley to Castle Glen). Development would sever contiguous forest, wildlife corridors, headwaters, sensitive aquifers, wetlands, dark‑sky areas and cultural heritage sites.

There is already an Official Plan for Castle Glen. Isn’t it a “good deal”?

No. That plan predates modern conservation policy. Placing a mini city, golf courses and commercial villages on fragile Escarpment lands makes no sense today. We urge municipalities, NEC and the Province to revisit those approvals.

What is the history of the Talisman development?

Once a ski resort, Talisman fell into disrepair and bankruptcy. The Municipality of Grey Highlands acquired key parcels nearly ten years ago after repeated failed redevelopment attempts.

What makes the Talisman properties so critical to corridor integrity?

Framing the brow of the escarpment and draining into the Beaver River, Talisman links north‑south and east‑west corridor routes, supports salmon streams, hosts the Bruce Trail and sustains vital habitat.

There is a municipal sale agreement in place for the Talisman Lands. Isn’t this a “good deal”?

We disagree. In February 2022, council agreed to a below‑market sale despite higher conservation offers. Legal action is underway, and ECA works with local groups to ensure full scrutiny and protect these lands.

Are there actual examples where developments have been stopped or overturned?

Yes. Ontario campaigns such as the Mega Quarry and the Epping development challenge show that dedicated community action can halt inappropriate projects.

Do you have major donors?

Yes. Our Bedrock Donors fund roughly XX % of our budget; the remainder comes from grants and smaller gifts.

Are you funded by government sources?

Yes. We’ve received grants from government bodies, including a $60,000 award from the Greenbelt Foundation in 2024 for our science and research.

Do you apply for grants regularly?

Absolutely. As a growing organization, grant applications are vital to support our operations, projects and mission fulfillment.

How many board members do you have and what is their expertise?

We have 11 volunteer Directors whose expertise spans corporate leadership, nonprofit governance, environmental science, land‑conservation law, sustainable agriculture, community advocacy and Indigenous engagement.

Are you looking for any additional Board Members?

Yes! We welcome expressions of interest. Please visit our website’s Board Opportunities page (link) to see current needs and application details.