Donate
Donate
Subscribe
Join us at the

Nature Corridor Summit 2025

For Nature. For People. For Good.

October 24th, 2025

Osler Bluff Ski Club

What to Expect

A Regional Model for Nature, Community & Climate

Join us for a day of learning about Nature Corridors, how they are necessary for the longevity of the Niagara Escarpment of South Georgian Bay, its people and the economy that sustains it all.

We’ve made some upgrades to our Summit this year…

We’ve put together informative “break out” style sessions. This means less sitting and more interaction. This means, you move around, choose your own interests and gather in smaller more meaningful groups where you can listen, learn, question and share.

*Continental Breakfast + Lunch, coffee and snacks are provided with your ticket purchase
VIEW PROGRAM

Morning Breakout Sessions (AM)

Select your preferred morning learning session:

Collaborative Conservation with Indigenous Leaders

Moderator:
Natalya Garrod

Panelists:
Clint Jacobs
Miptoon
Doran Ritchie

Read Bio’s

Conservation Finance: Nature & Economy

Moderator:
Jarvis Strong

Panelists:
Jeremey Guth
Mary-Kate Craig

Read Bio’s

Storytelling:
Water Connects us All

Moderator:
Martin Rydlo

Panelists:
Charlene Winger-Jones
Jim Dobbin
Duncan Bristow

Read Bio’s

What’s a Land Trust? Landowner-led Conservation

Moderator:
Carolyn Thickett

Panelists:
Mike Hendren
Stephen Woodley

Read Bio’s

Focus on the future: Ideas for youth engagement

Moderator:
Gillian White

Panelists:
Jeff Barrett
Bruce Zigman
Jackie Pye

Read Bio’s

Afternoon Breakout Sessions (PM)

Select your preferred afternoon learning session:

Success Stories Across The Escarpment: Past, Present, Future

Moderator:
Bruce Harbinson

Panelists:
Robert Leverty
Carl Cosak
Dr Jodi Hilty

Read Bio’s

Patterns of Wildlife Extinction and Recovery in Canada

Moderator:
Carolyn Thickett

Panelists:
Dan Kraus


Read Bio’s

Nature Corridors & Public-Private Partnerships

Moderator:
Stephen Griggas

Panelists:
Edward McDonnell
Nadia Dubyk
Shawn Carey
Tony Morris

Read More

Collective Action through Alliance

Moderator:
David Scoon

Panelists:
Bruce King
Catherine Daw
Andrew McCammon

Read Bio’s

Nature’s Dividend: How Nature-Based Wellness Drives Economic Growth

Moderator:
Martin Rydlo

Panelists:
Brandon Houston
Jamie Cuthburt
Chris Kornacki

Read Bio’s

Guest Speakers

Jodi Hilty is president and chief scientist of Y2Y. Specializing in ecological corridor and large landscape research, she has more than 25 years of experience managing large landscape conservation efforts. This work focuses on applying best available information to address complex challenges through community-based, collaborative efforts, and also centers Indigenous leadership in conservation. Author or editor of four books, she also led writing of the 2020 IUCN Guidelines for Conserving Connectivity as the deputy chair of the IUCN Connectivity Conservation Specialist Group.

Morning Keynote:
Dr. Jodi Hilty

Yukon to Yellowstone (Y2Y)

Jod

Laura Hergott is the Manager of the Healthy by Nature initiative at BC Parks Foundation, providing accessible opportunities for people across Canada to improve their health through meaningful connections with nature. With a background in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Laura was drawn to the initiative by the growing body of research supporting nature’s role in health, and by her own love of the outdoors as an avid hiker and rock climber. Laura’s work supports a national culture that both values human well‑being and protects the natural places that sustain it. Laura is grateful to live, work, and play on Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Territory.

Afternoon Plenary Speaker:
Laura Hergott

BC Parks Foundation

Why should you attend?

Gather information & help protect the escarpment

At this event, we will discuss how the ECA is working towards protecting and connecting the lands of the Niagara Escarpment. You will learn about how the Indigenous people treat and protect the land and how you can integrate this into your lifestyle. You will learn how you can safeguard your own property, and how we can come together as a community to keep this vital landscape intact and protected from development.

Together, we can protect and connect the Niagara Escarpment
For Nature. For People. For Good

*Continental Breakfast + Lunch, coffee and snacks are provided with your ticket purchase

VIEW PROGRAM

Key Takeaways to be had…

Nature & Reconciliation

Learn indigenous ways of knowing and being with the land, and how collaborative conservation using two-eyed seeing is a necessary approach to protecting nature

Watershed Importance

Water is the lifeline. Without our watersheds that flow through the Niagara Escarpment, biodiversity would cease to exist as we know it today.

Building a Corridor

By the end of this conference, you will understand the importance of a Nature Corridor as a layer of protection for the Niagara Escarpment

Event Sponsors

Summit Founding Partner

Keynote Sponsor

Event Planning Sponsor

Radio Sponsor

Last years SOLD OUT event

Over 260 people attended this first Nature Corridor Summit held in the beautiful town of Blue Mountains at the Alpine Ski Resort on October 25th, 2024.

Can’t attend?

Consider a donation so somebody else can…

Any donations made through this form, will go directly to a youth or someone who needs assistance to attend. Thank you in advance for your generosity and your want to help protect the escarpment for nature, for people and for good.

If you’d like additional information

Reach out, we can help

Jarvis Strong, Executive Director

[email protected]

705-441-3346

    News & Updates

    Stay informed on important information happening on the SGB Escarpment.

    Get Our Newsletter

    Start Helping Now

    Your donation supports the ECA in protecting the South Georgian Bay for people for nature and for good.

    Donate Now