Land
acquisition creates wildlife corridor from Cootes Paradise to the Niagara
Escarpment
– Nearly
100 acres of natural lands situated in the Greenbelt in Hamilton have been
safeguarded from development forever thanks to 10 local government and
non-profit organizations who have partnered to purchase and protect the
properties.
The
land, in Dundas’ Pleasant View (York and Valley Roads and York and Old Guelph
Roads), falls within the Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System, one of Canada’s
biodiversity hotspots. It is home to more than 1,500 species of plants and
animals, including nearly one- quarter of Canada’s wild plants and more than 50
at-risk species. It provides the last intact ecological connection between Lake
Ontario wetlands and the Niagara escarpment. The area is also situated in one
of the country’s most rapidly developing urban and economic regions, where
growth has resulted in the fragmentation of natural areas into a disconnected
patchwork of smaller protected sections. The newly acquired lands are two
separate tracts which provide the connection between protected properties,
creating a safeguarded wildlife corridor stretching from Cootes Paradise to the
Niagara escarpment.
The new Pleasant View
properties are now owned by Conservation Halton, Hamilton Conservation
Authority, and Royal Botanical Gardens. Funds for this purchase have come from
the Hamilton Community Foundation, Royal Botanical Gardens, Hamilton
Conservation Authority, Conservation Halton Foundation, the City of Hamilton,
the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club. Financial support of the Friends of the
Greenbelt Foundation was crucial in helping make arrangements for this project.
“The
protection of these natural lands is an example of what can be achieved when so
many great organizations can work together towards a common goal,” said Dr.
David Galbraith, RBG’s head of science and chair of the Cootes to Escarpment
EcoPark System management committee. “We are delighted at the progress made so
far in permanently protecting natural lands between Hamilton Harbour and the
Escarpment and look forward to continuing this momentum.”
“Royal
Botanical Gardens is honoured to have a leading role in the Cootes to Escarpment
EcoPark System partnership,” said Mr. Mark Runciman, CEO of Royal Botanical
Gardens and Chair of the EcoPark System governing council. “The purchase of
these lands in Pleasant View is a tangible demonstration of the power of working
together toward the vision of the EcoPark System. There is now a continuous
corridor of protected land from the Niagara Escarpment to Cootes Paradise. This
has been a major goal for us all along.”
Hamilton
Community Foundation also played a critical role in the acquisition, bringing
donors with a deep environmental interest, and stepping forward with a loan
which enabled the simultaneous purchase of both pieces of land.
“We are
thrilled to have been able to play the part of catalyst in securing this
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” says Terry Cooke, president & CEO of the
foundation. “Our spectacular natural surroundings are one of the area’s most
defining features. We are proud that the foundation’s long history of
commitment to the environment impact will include protecting and preserving
these critical lands and the wildlife that inhabit them.”
Long-time
owners of the properties are pleased to see the properties sold to EcoPark
System partners, ensuring the lands remain in a natural state as part of an
important wildlife corridor.
While
half of the land acquisition funds have been secured, approximately $850,000
will still need to be raised. EcoPark System partners will be looking for
community support to help complete this important land
purchase.
Partners
in the Ecopark System have now permanently protected more than 220 acres of
ecologically significant land in the past two years, through purchase, donation
and conservation easement.
“We
have made incredible progress,” says Jen Baker, land securement coordinator for
the group, “but we still have a way to go as we look both for landowners who
are interested in contributing properties in the EcoPark System, and
contributions to help make land purchase possible.” She adds that landowners
who are interested in contributing lands to the EcoPark System can receive help
from the partners with the land securement process and provide advice on the
best options that meet their needs.
Landowners
who are interested in contributing lands to the EcoPark System can receive help
from the partners with the land securement process, including advice on the best
options that meet their needs. Please contact Jen Baker, Land Securement
Coordinator, for more information (land@hamiltonnature.org, 905-524-3339).
The
Parties to the Memorandum of Understanding Establishing the Cootes to Escarpment
EcoPark System are:
•
Bruce Trail Conservancy
•
Conservation Halton
•
Hamilton Conservation Authority
•
Hamilton Naturalists’ Club
•
City of Burlington
•
Halton Region
•
City of Hamilton
•
McMaster University
•
Royal Botanical Gardens
with
support from the Office of the Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan.
Press
contact:
Nick
Kondrat
Manager
of Communications
Royal
Botanical Gardens
680
Plains Road West
Burlington,
Ontario LL7 4H4
nkondrat@rbg.ca
Phone:
905-527-1158 ext. 223
Toll
Free: 1-800-694-4769
Fax:
905-577-0375
Web:
www.rbg.ca
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