Our Nature Preserves

Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy protects wilderness along the Niagara Escarpment, up the Bruce Peninsula, onto Manitoulin Island and beyond. We protect many kilometres of Lake Huron shoreline and inland sites in Simcoe, Grey and Bruce Counties. Approximately one quarter of these protected conservation areas are privately owned, and the rest are owned by us. Most of our preserves are publicly accessible! We try to limit human disturbance on 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 properties, we encourage you to participate as a steward - or hike one of our maintained trails!

See Our Preserves

Browse our interactive map and explore our Nature Preserves across Ontario! Click on individual Nature Preserves to see a description of the property, how and when it was protected, images and video of what it looks like, and access information for those lands where visitors are welcome to explore.

If you need more information about how to use the map - Click here to see our user guide!

Caledon to Creemore

EBC’s southern range begins in Caledon and ranges up through the headwaters and highlands of Orangeville and into Simcoe County.

Many of these nature preserves have trails on them and we invite all to explore!

Photo shows the Stephens Nature Preserve on the Mad River in the heart of Glencairn.

Walk part of the Ganaraska Trail along this nature reserve!

View Caledon to Creemore Preserves.

Harvey Reserve

Grey County and Owen Sound

Heathcote

Grey County includes the Niagara Escarpment outcrop, Georgian Bay shoreline, plenty of waterfalls and a large network of rivers, wetlands and forests associated with the Saugeen Valley and Sauble River watersheds.

EBC has a number of preserves right on the Bruce Trail, one of the most scenic and visited trails in Canada.

Photo shows the Heathcote-Kritsch Nature Preserve following the meandering Beaver River right through the centre of town.

View Grey County and Owen Sound Preserves.

Bruce County and Huron Shore

The Bruce Peninsula is known as a biodiversity hot spot among nature enthusiasts in Ontario. It has the Niagara Escarpment along its eastern shores and alvar, rocky shorelines to the west. These features, along with the lake's influence, make the Bruce Peninsula an ideal habitat for several species of plants and animals. Species at risk include snakes, plants and turtles and it is a hot spot for orchids. While some of our nature preserves in this area are not open to the public, we have developed trails on a few for the public to enjoy. These trails showcase the beauty of the area including pristine Lake Huron shore, alvars and wetlands. EBC also has nature preserves along the Lake Huron shore and rivers throughout Bruce County.

Photo is of our Barney Lake Nature Preserve which includes an inland lake. Follow the nearby trails & our preserve on the shores of Lake Huron!

View Bruce County and Huron Shore Preserves.

Bruce Hobson Reserve

Manitoulin Island and Sudbury

EBC took an interest in protecting Manitoulin Island at the very beginning. The Niagara Escarpment extends onto Manitoulin Island, then loops around back down through upper Michigan and Wisconsin. EBC recognized the need for protection of this natural geological feature. We started with the purchase of the Cup and Saucer Nature Preserve. This preserve is beautiful with Escarpment features, amazing views and an adventure trail for those interested in exploring this amazing place. Our work on Manitoulin has expanded to protect significant alvar features, Lake Huron shoreline, wetlands and lakes.

In the last 5 years, EBC has secured the protection of large wildland areas such as Willisville Mountain, Heaven's Gate, Michael's Bay, Lake Wolsey and other nature preserves. We have just updated our trail maps and all are welcome to visit them!

View Manitoulin Preserves