14/08/2023
14/08/2023
The Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Network (NEBN) with its partners The Bruce Trail Conservancy, Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy, Royal Botanical Gardens, Niagara College,and Brock University are honored to work together to raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity in the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere. The project is supported by a grant from the Greenbelt Foundation.
This project supports the development of educational material on the ecological significance of the Biosphere and Greenbelt to enhance access to nature and promote Greenbelt sustainable tourism experiences. This one-year project is part of the effort of the Greenbelt Foundation to increase awareness of the importance of its biodiversity to Ontarians.
New signage will be added over the fall in a few locations along the Biosphere with QR codes for trail hikers to learn more about these various locations. The locations have been selected by the project partners and the information is currently being designed to be added to the website of the NEBN, with links to the partners.
Among some of the sites, two will be added at Brock University. The Bruce Trail Conservancy and the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy have selected five locations such as the Kimbercote/Allan site in the Beaver Valley. These sites have interesting biodiversity information including the species at risk, such as Eastern Meadowlark and American Hart’s-tongue Fern, that can be found in those areas. We will also attempt in some of the locations to also add cultural features as well. In total over nine new signs will be added, with the expectation of more in the future.
We hope that visitors will be able to learn more about the local biodiversity while enjoying their hikes. The NEB has so much to offer!
— Liette Vasseur is professor of Biological Sciences at Brock University