The Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy (EBC) is dedicated to preventing climate change, protecting habitat for species at risk, and helping Canada meet its land conservation targets. Operating as a charity since 1997, EBC is the largest Ontario-focused private land trust, now protecting 230+ nature preserves, from Caledon to Manitoulin Island, along the Huron shore and beyond!
EBC is committed to holding this land in a good way, that integrates the rights of Indigenous peoples and advances the goals and objectives identified by the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission. To learn more about what that means, please watch this video.
Interactive Map of Our Preserves
Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy protects wilderness along the Niagara Escarpment, up the Bruce Peninsula, onto Manitoulin Island and beyond. We protect many kilometers of Lake Huron shoreline and inland sites in Simcoe, Grey and Bruce Counties. Approximately one quarter of these protected conservation areas are privately owned with conservation agreements while we own the rest. Many of our preserves are publicly accessible! We try to limit human disturbance to others that are ecologically sensitive.
To protect fragile ecosystems, we discourage or prohibit camping, hunting, campfires, motorized vehicles and collecting on our sites, except where specifically permitted. To fully enjoy our nature preserves, we encourage you to participate as a steward - or hike one of our maintained trails!
EBC has nature preserves in Manitoulin Island, Bruce County and the Huron Shore, Grey County and Owen Sound and an area from Caledon to Creemore.
The 2023 EBC Butterfly Festival!
August 25 & 26
Bruce Peninsula Visitors Centre & Alvar Bay
- Hands-on monarch conservation with capture, tag and release activities
- Educational booths about EBC and monarchs
- Screening of a monarch documentary
- Evening bat walks from the visitor's centre
- Nature hike at Alvar Bay, led by Beth Anne Currie (Chair of the Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory)
Conserve Nature
"Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better"- Albert Einstein
Never has this statement been more true than today when nature has the power to control flooding, provide better air and water quality, protect biodiversity and fight climate change. In spite of the inherent benefits of preserving nature, Ontario Nature states that habitat loss and degradation, climate change, invasive species, pollution and over-exploitation of natural resources in Ontario prevails. What's at risk? More than 230 plants and animals in Ontario alone. For example, no other place in North America except Florida has as many species of orchids as found in Grey Bruce.
There is good news though. Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy (EBC) has created 230+ nature preserves since 1997. These preserves provide crucial protection of habitat and ecosystems that directly benefit our local and global lives. In addition to environmental protection, EBC provides opportunities for soft recreation on many reserves such as the Cup and Saucer Trail where more than 10,000 people hike every year.
Wild Futures Project
$1 donated protects $11 worth of land!
$1 donated protects $8.65 of nature services!
In 2022-2023, EBC's goal will be securing 4,868 acres, spanning 42 properties. These precious properties are homes to many species at risk (SAR) in Ontario. Each of these properties could become a wilderness preserve if we meet the fundraising challenge. You can make a tremendous contribution by supporting these proposed acquisitions. Your donation makes a huge contribution toward getting each nature preserve under our wing and SAFE from development pressures. To learn more about the Wild Futures Project Click Here!
Protect Your Land
Protect your land from gravel pits, subdivisions, bad forestry and save Income Tax!!
Learn the difference between Conservation Agreements or Deeding Your Land.
Make an Impact
Our preserves defend threatened species and spaces and directly curb climate change.
Donate time or money so that we can enlarge our presence and reduce your climate footprint.