On Friday September 22, on the eve of our ECA event series with Edward Burtynsky, we received some great news – the CRA had officially granted Charitable Status to the Escarpment Corridor Alliance. This marks a very important milestone in our mission to protect the escarpment of Southern Georgian Bay. The work of the ECA is, by definition, expensive. We rely on a select group of professionals with expertise in natural heritage, environmental law, land use planning, government relations and marketing to name a few. Fundraising to meet these demands is challenging enough without charitable status and we owe a large debt of gratitude to the Small Change Fund for believing in our project, supporting our work and being able to give our donors a tax receipt over the past 15 months as our application was in process. The support of SCF has been critical to our rapid evolution as an organization and we look forward to continued partnership. Now, as a proud, standalone registered Canadian charitable organization, important new funding sources including public and private foundations and government grants are open to us. Of course, at the heart of our success will always be the grassroots support of individuals and families from across Southern Georgian Bay who, like us, say “Yes!” to a green escarpment forever!

Three critical lessons can be learned from the recent Greenbelt debacle:

1. Ontarians care deeply about their natural spaces
2. We don’t buy into false trade-offs. We can build housing, create more affordable communities AND NOT pave over our highly precious and limited greenspaces
3. By speaking with one voice, we can make a difference

Like many others the ECA is pleased to support those MPPs from all parties that will vote for the proposed legislation and see the removed parcels reinstated into the Greenbelt. However, we caution that further work on this legislation is required to fully protect these lands, including the Niagara Escarpment which is a core part of the Greenbelt. The two links below from our partners at Environmental Defence and the Ontario Greenbelt Steering Committee provide a broad overview of some key shortfalls in the proposed legislation. Beyond their insightful critiques, the ECA is also proposing that the legislation clean up legacy planning mistakes like Castle Glen and Talisman. After five decades, these are no longer deserving of grandfathered protection based inapplicable resort recreational zoning designation by the Niagara Escarpment Commission. Both developments would irreparably destroy some of the most visible parts of the brow of the escarpment and sever important ecological corridors. In order to fully address the Greenbelt in totality, this legislation must also address the current and sizeable issues that the Auditor General described in her November 2022 report on the Niagara Escarpment Commission.

Ontario Greenbelt Steering Committee

Environmental Defence

As the last few months have shown, Ontarians are proud of, and care passionately for their Greenbelt and the 2 million acres of protected farm lands, forests, wetlands and waterways.

The Province’s removal of 7,400 acres from the Greenbelt was met with overwhelming public opposition. Data did not support the Government’s false assertions that the land was necessary for solving the housing crisis. The Auditor-General, regional planners, and the government’s own Housing Affordability Task Force concluded that more than enough land has already been  designated in towns and cities to build all the needed housing for decades to come. Destroying important Greenbelt lands had nothing to do with solving Ontario’s housing crisis and instead seemed more focused on creating massive speculative profits for urban sprawl developers well-connected to the provincial government.

Bringing these 7,400 acres of irreplaceable farmland and natural areas back into Greenbelt protection through this proposed Bill will correct this terrible decision by the government that was so against the public interest. We applaud all MPPs who will support the proposed Bill’s speedy passage into law.

As well, we applaud the new process proposed by this Bill for any future changes to the Greenbelt. We fully support requiring any future changes to be accomplished through legislation requiring proper processes, debate, public consultation, and recorded votes by elected officials instead of regulation requiring only Cabinet approval. The Greenbelt should never again be able to be attacked and changed in secret behind closed doors.

However, this Bill does not guarantee Ontario’s Greenbelt is now adequately protected. Other actions of this provincial government threaten many parts of the Greenbelt, specifically the proposals to build new mega highways through the Greenbelt such as Highway 413 and the Bradford Bypass. As well, land use planning policies found in Bill 23, proposed changes to the Provincial Policy Statement, the proposed elimination of the Growth Plan, forced urban boundary expansions, and the improper use of MZOs all threaten the Greenbelt and the lands surrounding it. Finally, the Minister’s comments at the press conference earlier today provide no assurances that the Government will not remove lands from the Greenbelt as part of the mandated 10-year review.

The speedy passage of the proposed Bill is a necessary and welcome action that will restore Ontario’s Greenbelt. But it is only the start. We hope MPPs will listen to the vast majority of Ontarians and make Greenbelt protection a priority by undoing other policies that are threatening our beloved and precious Greenbelt that millions of people depend on for groundwater, local food, recreation, biodiversity, natural heritage, and ecological services. The government needs to abandon its many other proposed actions that will harm the Greenbelt. Instead, we urge them to focus on building affordable, sustainable housing within our existing towns and cities and expand the Greenbelt to improve our future resilience and preparedness in an era of global climate change.

The Escarpment Corridor Alliance (ECA), a beacon of environmental preservation in South Georgian Bay, recently marked a pivotal moment in its journey by welcoming fresh faces to its esteemed Board of Directors. While celebrating new beginnings, the organization also expressed profound gratitude for the contributions of two key members who had been instrumental since its inception in 2021.

In 2021, George Knowles and David Middleton were among the visionaries who joined hands to form the Escarpment Corridor Alliance. Their tireless commitment, dedication, and unwavering belief in the alliance’s mission have been nothing short of remarkable. As they step down from their positions on the Board, their contributions leave an indelible mark on the ECA’s history.

George Knowles, with his passionate advocacy for environmental preservation, has been a driving force behind the ECA’s initiatives. David Middleton’s financial expertise, as well as his adept management of the alliance’s resources, has played a pivotal role in the ECA’s achievements over the years.

The ECA proudly welcomes a new trio of exceptionally skilled individuals to the Board. These fresh faces, with their unique expertise and unwavering dedication, are poised to further the alliance’s mission:

• Ian Whitton – Treasurer: Stepping into the role previously held by David Middleton, Ian Whitton brings a wealth of financial acumen to the ECA. His background in fiscal management will be invaluable in sustaining the alliance’s conservation efforts, ensuring that they remain both impactful and sustainable.
• Martha McCarthy – Legal specialist: With Martha McCarthy’s legal expertise, the ECA gains a guardian of the law. Her insights will guide the alliance through the complex legal terrain of conservation and environmental preservation, ensuring that their mission remains ethically and legally sound.
• Dale Biddell – Expert in the charitable sector: Dale Biddell, an expert in the charitable sector, will contribute to the ECA’s operational excellence. Her deep understanding of the intricacies of governing a nonprofit organization ensures the alliance remains transparent, accountable, and effective.

The ECA’s commitment to conserving the unique and awe-inspiring beauty of South Georgian Bay’s escarpment remains unwavering. With the addition of these new Board members, the alliance is poised to reach new heights in its quest to protect this natural treasure for generations to come.

The ECA’s journey is one of ongoing dedication, and with this new chapter in their history, they are more determined than ever to safeguard the splendor of the South Georgian Bay escarpment for all to enjoy.

The future is looking bright and ‘green’ for both people and nature along the South Georgian Bay Escarpment. Larry & Barbara Hall, founding philanthropists of the new South Georgian Bay Innovation Fund (‘SGBIF’), and the Escarpment Corridor Alliance (‘ECA”), have come together in a new partnership. 

The SGBIF has pledged $75,000 over three years to focus on three areas that align with the ECA’s strategic priorities. First is development of a youth environmental stewardship program. Second, is developing the concept of a ‘nature-based conservation economy vision’. Third is support for the planning and launch of an annual Nature & Conservation Economy Summit in Winter 2024. 

“Our two organizations have found some wonderful common ground and shared vision which resulted in this three-year, $75,000 funding partnership. Early in our Fund’s launch in December 2022, Barb and I with our SGBIF team concluded that opportunities building new programs on the uniqueness of South Georgian Bay’s natural environment should be the focus of our initial grants. Fortunately, we discovered an organization that shared our vision and commitment to protecting and enhancing the experience of, and access to Nature, for those of us who live, work, and play, or visit South Georgian Bay. Stay tuned as we, together, help build a greener and enriched Nature experience here in South Georgian Bay.”  – Larry Hall, South Georgian Bay Innovation Fund

“We are so excited and grateful to welcome the SGBIF as one of our founding Leadership Funding Partners. This philanthropic investment will be critical in executing our mission priorities. With the support of donors like the SGBIF and The Hall’s, we are confident that the ECA will be a leader in improving and sustaining the natural, economic and social environments in the regional South Georgian Bay community.” -Jarvis Strong, ECA Executive Director

About the South Georgian Bay Innovation Fund

The South Georgian Bay Innovation fund was established by Ravenna residents Larry & Barb Hall in 2022 with a $1.1 million fund held at Toronto Foundation.  The fund supports organizations led by social entrepreneurs who are developing innovative approaches to issues across important pillars within the not-for-profit sector:  social, economic, environmental and cultural.  Its first two areas of focus are: increasing conservation and accessibility to maximize the healing power of nature; integration of nature and prevention strategies in youth mental health. 

www.sgbinnovationfund.ca

About the Projects

Youth Environmental Stewardship Program

The project will begin with a regional community scan and assessment of environmental and outdoor education, recreation and wellness programs for youth.

Research has demonstrated that nature immersion plays a critical role in youth mental health and wellbeing. If it is determined that there is a program gap and need for innovative new offerings, the SGBIF and ECA will conduct a feasibility study in the second year of this funding partnership for introducing new outdoor wellness related programs in partnership with local businesses, government and other local nonprofits.

Nature Based Conservation Economy Vision

Create a vision that would make South Georgian Bay a world class nature & wellness home and destination by developing and gathering support for an innovative model for sustainable, joint environmental and economic development.

Nature & Conservation Economy Summit

The Summit will bring together regional, provincial, federal and world environmental, conservation, environmental and wellness experts for a collaborative discussion around the concept of a nature-based conservation economy, the importance of nature for wellness and mental health, and the importance of eco-corridors in our region. 

In a recent gathering of like-minded organizations, the Escarpment Corridor Alliance (ECA) hosted a partner meeting on June 23. The primary objective was to foster collaboration and strengthen alliances among the participants, all of whom share a common goal of safeguarding the Niagara Escarpment in South Georgian Bay. Guided by ECA Board Member, David Scoon, the meeting brought together over twenty organizations dedicated to the preservation of the region’s vital ecosystems, including forests, fields, wetlands, and watersheds.

During the meeting, an important contribution was made by Robert Wong from RMCG Research. Wong set the stage with a results presentation of the Escarpment Community Survey, a recent initiative that provided invaluable insights into the perceptions and concerns of the local community regarding the preservation of the Niagara Escarpment. This presentation served as a catalyst for discussions and played a significant role in shaping the collaborative efforts of the organizations moving forward.

Key Takeaways

1. Thinking bigger is helpful. Working together and presenting a common front makes us all stronger….the voice of the whole is far greater than the sum of the parts; 
2. Different forms of coordination and resource sharing need to be encouraged. Common calendars and shared service models are examples of these activities;
3. The ECA is in a unique position to help drive this partnership model forward and in so doing create opportunities to add incremental support to the valuable work of each individual partner organization.

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