Did you know the Escarpment Corridor Alliance is just as committed to water protection as we are to conserving land? It’s true—because land and water are inseparable. One cannot thrive without the other.
Water is life—Nibi in Ojibway. In many Indigenous cultures, water is seen as the lifeblood of Mother Earth, flowing through her veins and sustaining all living beings. This wisdom is a powerful reminder: protecting water isn’t just an environmental concern—it’s a sacred responsibility.
Why Watersheds Matter
A watershed is an area of land where all rainfall and snowmelt drain into a shared outlet—like a stream, river, or lake. Think of it as nature’s plumbing system, filtering and moving water across the landscape. Watersheds are essential to the health of both ecosystems and communities.
Healthy watersheds:
- Filter pollutants and recharge aquifers
- Reduce flooding by absorbing rainfall and slowing runoff
- Support biodiversity—from trout and turtles to birds and bears
- Provide clean water for drinking, farming, recreation, and local economies
But when watersheds are damaged—by clearcutting, overdevelopment, or contamination—the entire system is at risk. Water quality declines. Flooding increases. Habitats disappear. That’s why conserving land along the Niagara Escarpment, which anchors so many of our regional watersheds, is critical.
The escarpment is the source of many of Ontario’s key water systems, all flowing toward the Great Lakes. These highlands hold coldwater streams, groundwater aquifers, and wetlands that support communities, agriculture, and biodiversity across the region. One powerful example? Elmvale—home to some of the purest water ever recorded.
Land and Water: A Connected Corridor
Our corridor planning at the ECA is shaped by local hydrology. We focus on protecting and connecting natural lands across several key watersheds: Bighead River, Beaver River, Silver Creek, Pretty River, and Mad River. These systems are linked, forming an ecological web that supports life throughout the region.
By protecting forests, wetlands, and natural corridors along the escarpment, we protect the arteries of these watersheds—the very sources of life and resilience. You’ll hear more about our watershed work in the months ahead, including at the upcoming Nature Corridor Summit 2025.
Local Action, Global Impact
The Great Lakes hold 21% of the world’s surface freshwater. What happens here—on the slopes of Kolapore, in the headwaters of the Beaver Valley, or where creeks meet Georgian Bay—matters everywhere. Water stewardship is climate action, biodiversity protection, and community resilience rolled into one.
Want to Get Involved?
If water conservation is close to your heart, we invite you to explore the work of our allies:
- Canadian Water Museum
- Watersheds Canada
- Ontario Headwaters Institute
- Georgian Bay Forever
- Blue Mountain Watershed Trust (BMWT)
- Beaver River Watershed Initiative
- Save Georgian Bay
Past Events hosted by community collaborators:
H2O Watershed Weekend in The Blue Mountains | July 11–13, 2025
Hosted by the Thornbury and Beaver Valley Lions Club, this three-day gathering celebrated water through conversation, guided walks, local art, and shared learning.
For deeper reflection, we recommend Land Between Waters by Mark Zelinski—a photographic journey through the ecological and cultural richness of the Great Lakes Basin.
Later this year, we’ll be launching our Watershed Stories series to share more local perspectives on water and place. Stay tuned.
Because at the Escarpment Corridor Alliance, we know: Water connects all.
