Connecting Conservation Leaders, Youth, Local Governments and Communities Across the Escarpment
COLLINGWOOD, ON — The Escarpment Corridor Alliance (ECA) proudly hosted the second annual Nature Corridor Summit on October 24, 2025, at Osler Bluff Ski Club, bringing together more than 300 attendees for a sold-out day of collaboration, inspiration, and collective action toward protecting Ontario’s natural corridors.
This year’s Summit featured Keynote Speaker, Dr. Jodi Hilty from Y2Y, and plenary speaker, Laura Hergott from BC Parks and PaRx, plus a series of dynamic breakout sessions and panel discussions exploring the intersection of conservation, economy, and community. Morning sessions such as Collaborative Conservation with Indigenous Leaders and Conservation Finance: Nature & Economy highlighted the power of partnerships and traditional knowledge in shaping a resilient future. Afternoon topics like Nature Corridors & Public-Private Partnerships and Collective Action through Alliance focused on building large-scale, cooperative solutions across the escarpment region.
Attendees represented over 50 organizations and included conservation professionals, landowners, policymakers, and a number of youth participants. Students from Wilde School joined the Summit, bringing fresh perspectives and energy to the day’s discussions. The event also saw strong representation from several Indigenous Nations, reflecting the importance of Traditional leadership and Indigenous ways of knowing in corridor protection efforts.
“Please keep up your standard with what you are doing….and thank you,” shared one participant, applauding the Summit’s organization and impact.
One of the most talked-about sessions, Conservation with Indigenous Leaders, offered profound lessons on reciprocity and respect for nature. As one attendee reflected, “Nature can take care of itself; we can help if we just listen to what it needs. Indigenous leaders have always understood the power of nature in our wellbeing.”
In a milestone announcement, the ECA revealed its first project as a land trust to secure a property and preserve it, forever — a significant achievement that aligns with the Ontario Government’s recent proposal to expand protected areas, which includes a proposed Conservation Reserve directly adjacent to the ECA’s future conservation property. This marks a defining step in advancing ECA’s mission to connect and protect the escarpment’s vital ecosystems while ensuring community access to nature for generations to come.
The sold-out Nature Corridor Summit 2025 reaffirmed that collaboration — across sectors, generations, and Nations — is key to building a thriving, biodiverse future for the Escarpment region and beyond.
For more information about the Escarpment Corridor Alliance and upcoming initiatives, visit myescarpment.ca.
Visit: Nature Corridor Summit 2025 | Escarpment Corridor Alliance to learn more about the events of the day and to watch all the recap videos
