September 15, 2021 — The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is a special and beloved North American insect that journeys 2,000 miles (one-way) in its migration journey annually. This is the largest of all known insect migrations on Earth! Unfortunately, this remarkable animal has experienced an 80% decline in population across North America between 1994 - 95 and 2014 -15. This has ignited to action a multitude of groups and...
September 7, 2021 — Join EBC in conversation with the World Wildlife Fund and Wildlife Biologist, Elisabeth Shapiro, for the FINAL installment of a 'Summer of Pollinators' FREE virtual event series. For 1 hour 15 minutes, you will learn all about the magical world of Ontario butterflies and how to protect them.When?Tuesday, September 21st from 7:00 - 8:15 pm! Two weeks today.Where can I...
September 1, 2021 — Check out our latest newsletter here. Learn about our most up-to-date activities, successes, updates and events!
September 1, 2021 — Great Sundews can be found in open, non-forested habitats with wet, often acidic and nutrient-poor soils. Habitats like these include bogs, quaking bogs, fens, cobble shorelines, and other calcareous habitats. The species is often associated with sphagnum mosses and can grow in a soil substrate that is entirely composed of living, dead, or decomposed sphagnum. The sphagnum acts to wick...
September 1, 2021 — EBC has been expanding this reserve since its original acquisition in 2005. It is at 281 acres and will hopefully expand to 381 acres in the near future! If you would like to donate towards another 100 acres of Ontarian land permanently conserved, then donate here. Significant Features The sand beach shoreline with glacial formations reaches out into Lake Huron. The...
August 31, 2021 — Don lives on the west side of Manitoulin Island and has been volunteering as a nature reserve steward with EBC for a couple of years. Don first learned about EBC through reading about our conservation successes and accomplishments in the Manitoulin Expositor. He was thrilled to learn about the purchase of Cup and Saucer back in 1999, with an additional...
August 23, 2021 — Join us on September 18th, 2021 at 10am and help celebrate another 160 acres of land conserved by EBC. Come for all or part of the celebration as we: Explore and learn about the natural and historical wonders of Trout Hollow through guided hikes Announce the winners of the photography/art/short story contest Socialize over delicious food and drink prepared...
August 10, 2021 — Check out our latest newsletter here. Learn about our latest successes, competitions and events!
July 27, 2021 — In communications with Doug as to how and why he became involved with EBC, he responded with the following: "My father taught me to appreciate birds at a young age. At that time, I lived in Ithaca, NY and he would take me out birding most evenings and every May Saturday morning when the Cornell Lab led bird walks. By the...
July 27, 2021 — Nature Reserve of the Month: Phillips Peel The property is located in the Township of Mapleton. It is situated on the land of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Mississauga, Odawa, Anishinabewaki and the Petun. The landscape is dominated by agriculture. The forest present on this property contributes to the small network of forested land remaining in the area....
July 22, 2021 — Grab your smartphone or cameras, head outside, and contribute to important biological data collection in your local area! Conservation scientists across the world are turning to citizen scientists, like you, to assist them with biological inventories of local species! You do not have to be an expert naturalist to collect this data, this is where the powers of technology can...
July 21, 2021 — Facts about Snapping Turtles Canada's largest freshwater turtle Been around since the Late Cretaceous Era, making them a living dinosaur! Designated as a species of "Special Concern" Hatchlings are the size of a loonie, and their sex depends on the temperature of the eggs! Their shell is usually covered in algae Spend most of their lives in shallow water, with...
July 12, 2021 — Join us for the next installment of a 'Summer of Pollinators' virtual event series all about bees! When?Tuesday, July 27th at 7 pm! Where can I sign up?Click here!What will I learn?Did you know there are approximately 420 species of pollinating bee species in Ontario? Unfortunately, many of them have recently been categorized as at risk in Canada. During the hour together, learn about...
July 6, 2021 — Trout Hollow Reserve was generously donated by the Knight family to EBC earlier this year and is a truly unique property of 160 acres. The former site of the Georgian Bay Milling and Power Company, visitors can still see remnants of the mill that powered the Georgian Bay region 100 years ago, now lush with native flora and fauna. Also...
July 5, 2021 — Click here to view our latest monthly newsletter. Highlights include: 65th species of conservation concern detected! EBC celebrated Indigenous Peoples Day Held the first in the virtual event series, Summer of Pollinators: Birds! Held our Annual General Meeting Started planning our Heaven's Gate Opening Ceremony - Stay tuned! EBC conducted species at risk monitoring our Bruce Peninsula reserves Species of...
July 5, 2021 — We are excited to announce that the 49th issue of Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy's Newsletter is now available! Click here to view EBC's Spring 2021 Precipice and read about the wonderful work EBC has recently accomplished. To stay up to date and receive future newsletters sent directly to your inbox click below to signup or become a member!
June 30, 2021 — June 21st marked National Indigenous Peoples Day. We recognize the history, heritage and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. EBC spent the day at our Stephen's Nature Reserve located in Glencairn. We planted 215 milkweed seeds in commemoration of the lives lost at Kamloops Indian Residential school. If you ever get a chance to visit our...
June 30, 2021 — The Harkins Nature Reserve is a 6-acre plot of land located south of our Sadler Creek Nature Reserve. Just a 20-minute drive NorthWest of Lions Head - there are plenty of natural wonders to visit nearby. Harkins includes significant Lake Huron shoreline, globally rare Alvars, ancient cedars and if you look hard enough, fossils! If found, please leave them where...
June 30, 2021 — Volunteer of the Month: Greg McCracken! Greg discovered EBC by observing a sign posted on the Phillips' property in Mapleton Township, near Arthur, last year shortly after the Covid-19 out-break. Having noticed that no trail had yet been established on the property, he contacted Bob Barnett and offered to lay out and build a trail. After meeting with Jim...
June 14, 2021 — This June, every $1* you donate enters us to win $20,000! The more you give, the more chances for us to win! Give today by clicking here! EBC has an exciting opportunity to conserve 486 acres of Manitoulin land along Michael's Bay. All donations made this month will go towards this purchase. Where is Michael's Bay and why should it be saved?...
June 14, 2021 — May 2021 BioSphere Newsletter is now here! Click here to read about our latest successes and updates.
June 14, 2021 — Volunteer of the month: Roy JefferyFrom the time Roy started helping EBC, he has been our engine in the North! Throughout May, Roy has been tirelessly trail and car park building up at our most recent reserve, Heaven's Gate. Heaven's Gate is located between Killarney Park and La Cloche Park which joins EBC's Red Deer Village Trail and Willisville Mt. Roy also assists with trail...
June 14, 2021 — Nature Reserve of the Month: Cunningham The Cunningham nature reserve is a 27- acre parcel of land located in the Township of Eastnor near Lion's Head. The reserve was initially a conservation agreement up until 2021 when it was donated to us. Since it is home to sensitive habitats, we do not encourage visitors. Know that the land is protected...
June 14, 2021 — Species of the Month: American Black BearHabitat and Diet:Black bears can be found throughout forested areas of Ontario. Their entire waking day revolves around food. When they are not hibernating, bears spend much of their day in search of berry crops, hazel and beechnuts. They will also feed on carrion, insects, fish, deer fawns and moose calves! Since berry patches are a...
May 4, 2021 — As of Wednesday, April 28th, 2021, Heaven's Gate was CONSERVED! 2,000 acres of wilderness between the Provincial Parks of Killarney and La Cloche, protecting 12+ at-risk species, 3 lakes, 2 mountains and part of a third is now protected. On behalf of the staff, board members, volunteers and wildlife of Heaven's Gate, we thank everyone who has made this dream a reality!
April 30, 2021 — Our monthly BioSphere Newsletter is now available to view! Click here to read about the amazing work EBC has recently accomplished. To stay up to date and receive future newsletters sent directly to your inbox click below to sign up.
April 30, 2021 — Rachel recently started volunteering with EBC as a social media content creator and distributor.Rachel's academic background has always been centered around the environment. She received a degree in Environmental Studies from Wilfred Laurier University and finished her post-grad certificate at Niagara College for Environmental Management and Assessment last year. While much of Rachel's experience in the environmental field to date...
April 30, 2021 — Conservation Status: Special Concern How to identify Evening Grosbeak: large finch thick bill used to break open seeds high pitch chirps and calls! Where do they live and what do they eat? Coniferous forests feeding primarily on invertebrates - such as the spruce budworm In summer they eat insects and larvae from treetops and in winter, they feed on seeds, berries...
April 30, 2021 — The Martin reserve is a 100-acre parcel, acquired by EBC in 2002. The Bruce Trail runs through it! The main trail route enters the Martin property at the mid-point of its northwest boundary and follows a curving route to exit from the easternmost corner of the property. There is no road access, so you must use these trails to get to...
April 26, 2021 — No Milkweed No Monarchs! Now is the time to plant milkweed for this year! Welcome Monarchs back to new homes in the spring. EBC will send you milkweed seeds to plant in your garden/patio/balcony planter. Any fairly dry, sunny spot will do. Good soil or poor. Get your FREE Milkweed here today. Email info@escarpment.ca and include your name and home address so we...
April 6, 2021 — Our monthly BioSphere Newsletter is now available to view! Click here to read about the amazing work EBC has recently accomplished. To stay up to date and recieve future newsletters sent directly to your inbox click below to sign up.
March 23, 2021 — Conservation Status: Species-At-Risk The Peregrine Falcon is all about speed. They have long pointed wings allowing them to fly at diving speeds of more than 300km/hr. The Peregrine Falcon wins the world's fastest bird competition.Identifying features:- Easily identified by the black facial mask - Females are larger than males and a pair will generally mate for life Habitat: The Peregrine Falcon can be found...
March 16, 2021 — History: Sadler Creek is a 1,092 acre plot of land, designated a Nature Reserve in 2004. Located at the former Lindsay Township on the Bruce Peninsula. Significant Features: Running through the property is a lovely creek, after which the reserve is named. Habitats include: numerous swamps and marshes, and excellent samples of alvar sites. At the most northerly point, there is...
March 9, 2021 — While dropping off Heaven's Gate information packages near Heaven's Gate on Friday March 5th, Jane and Rick's car opted to take a short cut to Heaven's Gate! Thankfully, they got home safely and let us know that driving, as in life, "For every mile of road, there are two miles of ditch." Rick and Jane have pitched in on the...
February 23, 2021 — Identification: Easily identified by their bright yellow throat and chin Domed shell with yellow flecks and streaks Did you know? Blanding's turtles are semi-aquatic reptiles that can live up to 75 years in the wild! Habitat: Blanding’s Turtles live in shallow water, usually in large wetlands and shallow lakes with lots of aquatic vegetation. Threats: One of their biggest threats is human development How...
February 23, 2021 — Location and Significant Features: Northern Bruce Peninsula The Hobson Nature Reserve is 160 acres located on the west shore of the Bruce Peninsula, north of Pike Bay and west of Highway 6. The land was donated in 2020. The reserve is dominated by coniferous forest with small patches of wetlands, alvars and Great Lakes coastal habitat. The land is north of...
February 23, 2021 — Conservation Status: Threatened Ontario’s Algonquin Wolf population is estimated to be fewer than 500 mature individuals! Identifying Features: The Algonquin Wolf is often difficult to distinguish between the eastern wolf, grey wolf and coyote because of its similar appearance (color & markings) as well as overlap in size. This is due to hybridization of the three. Algonquin Wolves tend to...
February 23, 2021 — My name is Christina Rennich and I am delighted to have recently joined EBC as a volunteer. My first project was applying for the J.P. Bickell Foundation Grant on behalf of the La Cloche Hills Project. I am a certified yoga and meditation teacher specializing in kids and teens and founder of Spark Meditation and Yoga. Currently, my husband and I...
December 23, 2020 — Ivor learned about EBC after being told about a parcel of land in Caledon East, owned by his friend's company. Being in the Oakridges Moraine and not amenable to development, he thought it would be ideal for protection by The Nature Conservancy. It was not a property that the organization wanted and so they referred him to EBC. Ivor so...
December 15, 2020 — Species of the month: Barred Owl - Spotted on one of EBC's reserves! Conservation Status: Special Concern Identifying Features: Barred Owls are predominately brown and white in colour presented in a mottled fashion. Their chest has vertical brown lines on top of a white background. The upper half of its body displays horizontal brown bars. The wings and tail are barred brown...
December 14, 2020 — Location and Significant Features: Caledon The Simmons Nature Reserve is a 52 acre site located in Caledon, which was donated in 2006. The reserve has a mixture of forest types including mature hardwoods, cedar stand and trembling aspen as well as an old field meadow. This habitat is a perfect home for many wildlife species including: red backed salamanders, wood...
December 14, 2020 — Veronika Bingaman has been building trails along the escarpment on Manitoulin Island for almost 50 years! Her and her husband Dan started building kamikaze ski trails over the escarpment in their back yard. When she sought to ensure that the incredible bluffs were forever protected she sought out EBC and the Bingaman EBC trail was born. Over the years Veronika...
November 30, 2020 — SPECIES OF THE MONTH: ENDANGERED SPOTTED TURTLE Spotted Turtles are semi-aquatic reptiles that can be found in unpolluted wetland habitats such as ponds, marshes or bogs. In 1990 Ontario had 130 sites with Spotted Turtles. Today there are only 25! In one turtle life span, 80% of their homes have been taken from them. How can I help? Worry doesn’t work. Donate! $20, less than a week’s coffee money....
November 23, 2020 — Location and Significant Features: La Cloche Mountains Willisville Mountain is a 235 acre nature reserve with a breath-taking outlook! The reserve is located a short 15 minute drive south from Espanola, Ontario. It is an eco-treasure which is home 12 rare species including Bald Eagles and Peregrine Falcons and an icon in the Group of Seven's work. The mountain was...
November 20, 2020 — Friends/all people concerned about Ontario's ecological future, we are confronted with two major issues: The conservation authorities are facing a major loss of jurisdiction. They are the primary defenders of wetlands after disasters like Hurricane Hazel which killed 82 people when I was a kid. I hope you will read the attached information and support the current role of conservation...
November 3, 2020 — Conservation status: Special Concern The Eastern Milksnake is a non-venomous constrictor in the family Colubridae. Identifying features: Grey/tan in colour with alternating red or reddish brown blotches that are distinctly outlined in black along its body. Can grow to over a metre in length. Habitat: They live in a wide variety of natural and human-modified habitats. Such habitats include prairies,...
November 3, 2020 — Location and Significant Features: Epping, Grey County The Kimbercote property is a scenic nature reserve that includes features typical of the Beaver Valley and Niagara Escarpment. A trail on the property runs from east to west along a steep gradient climbing upward toward the western boundary. The trail goes through a regenerating field dominated by young white ash and scattered...
November 3, 2020 — Volunteer of the month: Ostap Soroka! "Hello EBC volunteers and supporters! My name is Ostap Soroka and I am proud to be the new Secretary of your Board of Directors. Throughout my careers in the performing arts, communications, and now academics, I have included my commitment to ecological mindfulness, climate change mitigation, and a love of the natural environment....
October 1, 2020 — A few years back while exploring the Bruce Peninsula, in particular, the Lake Huron and Georgian Bay shorelines, Gaurav was devastated to find that public access to the shorelines was almost entirely absent. In between the touristy stops of Red Bay, Tobermory, Lion's Head and similar cities - it was almost impossible to explore as most properties were private. Because...
October 1, 2020 — Shannon MacDonald is a graduate student at the University of Toronto. She is currently working on urban forest biomass mapping using LiDAR and field data, in the hopes of improving urban forest management and conservation efforts. Shannon first began working with EBC a couple of years ago for a class project when she and a few other students developed a...
October 1, 2020 — EBC’s AGM capped a successful year of conservation results while working within the parameters of COVID-19. We would like to send a special thanks to our retiring directors: Robert Wilson, Gord Edwards and Gillian Leitch. Robert Wilson was a founding director of EBC, he wrote our original by-law and got us incorporated. Robert also did a lot of legal work...
September 21, 2020 — Join the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy on September 27th 2020 at 11am as we hold our 12th annual Monarch Butterfly festival. The festival, which is usually held in Tobermory, will be delivered virtually this year due to Covid-19 concerns. Between 11am-12pm, EBC will be collaborating with the Ontario Land Trust Alliance (OLTA) as well as butterfly expert of 15 years, Audrey...
September 15, 2020 — EBC's Annual General Meeting will take place on September 20th at 12pm. All members and the general public are welcome! If you want to learn more about EBC and our successes over the year, please register for the event here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/escarpment-biosphere-conservancys-annual-general-meeting-2020-tickets-121088628347?fbclid=IwAR0X6RXRK7Ch7C4xHIC3sxGpn6sCQjv9XVaHr4rxnUReKMbuZ1tVNTgZkLQ Details of how to enter the Zoom event are in the Eventbrite description as well as in...
August 25, 2020 — Earlier this month, EBC collaborated with Ontario Land Trust Alliance (OLTA) on a site visit to assess our Phillips Peel Property. The property is located in the town of Mapleton in Wellington County. We used OLTA's Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment Tool to determine the impact of climate change on our property and our conservation efforts. This in turn will enable...
August 25, 2020 — The Golden Eagle is one of the largest, fastest, and most agile raptors in North America. They have also been spotted on our Page and Palmer Reserve! Conservation status: Endangered Identifying features: Dark brown, with lighter golden-brown plumage on their heads and necks. 33 to 38 inches in length and wingspan is 6 to 7.5 feet Behaviour: Usually mate monogamously for life...
August 18, 2020 — Nature Reserve of the Month: Bidwell Bog (Manitoulin Island)Bidwell Bog is a unique reserve that has a rare savannah landscape and a bog. This property has a beautiful hiking trail close to our Cup and Saucer reserve.History: This property was purchased in two parts. The first, in 2006 (329 acres) followed by another in 2007 (53 acres). The combined total...
August 12, 2020 — Thank you so much to the landowner who is offering the Spotted Turtle habitat for half its appraised value and for the generous donations we have received from all of you! We are so very close to saving one of the last 25 sites in Ontario that is home to the Endangered Spotted Turtle! There is still time to support...
August 11, 2020 — Meet Justin Keszei! Justin is a wildlife technician and saw volunteering with the EBC as an opportunity to do meaningful, productive work during the COVID-19 pandemic. His role is primarily to take inventory of all wildlife on EBC properties with special emphasis on species at risk as well as initiating a bioacoustic survey component for bird species assessment. Prior to his...
August 11, 2020 — EBC is looking for a name for our monthly digital newsletter, and we would love your help! If you would like to take part, please email suggestions to Hannah Jowett, our Community Outreach and Educational Coordinator, Hannah.Jowett@escarpment.ca The EBC team will then choose the winner who will be announced in September's newsletter. The submitter of the chosen entry will...
August 11, 2020 — RANKED NO.1 ON TRIP ADVISOR FOR NATURE ACTIVITIES ON MANITOULIN ISLAND! History: The Cup and Saucer was one of EBC's first nature reserves. 300 acres were acquired in 1999 with an additional purchase of 45 Acres in 2001. There are over 8 kms of hiking trails through deciduous forest, over rocky outcrops ending at towering cliffs with views over...
June 17, 2020 — Great Canadian Giving Challenge 2020 The Spotted Turtle is one of Ontario's smallest turtles. In the last 40 years, their numbers have drastically declined - 75% of the recorded 109 sites with occurrences of this species have had no recorded sightings in 20 years. EBC is working hard to acquire a parcel of land located right on the shore of Lake Huron that...
May 8, 2020 — We are excited to announce that the 47th issue of Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy's Newsletter is now available! Click here to view EBC's Spring 2020 Precipice and read about the wonderful work EBC has recently accomplished as we enter our 3rd decade! To stay up to date and receive future newsletters sent directly to your inbox click below to signup or...
March 16, 2020 — Due to COVID-19, the presentation and question and answer session scheduled for Friday, March 27th, 2020 at 5 pm has been postponed until further notice. Upon rescheduling, a notice will be posted to the website. Bob Barnett, Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy's Executive Director was to present at the Toronto Spring Cottage Life Show on the topic of "Preserve Your Land, Protect...
January 29, 2020 — Featured Nature Reserve of the month: Cape Hurd - Barney Lake History: Barney Lake Nature Reserve is located on the Northern Bruce Peninsula, near Tobermory. It is over 400 acres and was acquired by EBC over a number of years beginning in 2002. After acquiring the lake as part of a 300-acre acquisition donated by a family in Owen Sound,...