NIAGARA ESCARPMENT BIOSPHERE NETWORK BLOG

18/11/2024

Network Updates – Photo Essay

18/11/2024

In the last surge of photography for my upcoming book NIAGARA ESCARPMENT: Land Between Waters over the past few months, it’s been very good to connect with Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Network board members and partners actively engaging with ecosystems and communities across the Biosphere. At a time of extreme climate events and uncertainty for the future, it was encouraging to see so many people committed to protecting Mother Earth, and the unique landform we call the Niagara Escarpment. (Photos and text © MarkZelinski.com except where indicated)

Mark Zelinski, Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Network Board Member

NEBN co-chair and Water Walker Charlene Winger-Jones interviews a chickadee on her first visit to Royal Botanical Gardens’ Hendrie Valley Sanctuary this August. No baiting was used for this photo, only a Grandmother’s good heart.
NEBN Board member Caley Patrick Nadjiwon Doran  is an Anishinaabe Interpretive Guide with the Cape Croker Park Anishinaabe Cultural Experiences program. Following the footsteps of his ancestors, Caley guides land-based learning across Saugeen Ojibway Nation, shown here with Jason Johnston at beautiful Neyaashiinigmiing.
Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Three Fires Homecoming Powwow and Traditional Gathering 2024 was truly a homecoming for Charlene Winger-Jones and Anishinaabe Grandmother Kim Wheatley, author, artist, and ceremonial practitioner. They danced together after discovering that they are cousins! (Inset) Charlene with MCFN environmental lead Councillor Fawn Sault.
Bruce Trail Conservancy CEO Michael McDonald kindly transported me into iconic landscapes of Dufferin Hi-Land Bruce Trail Club and Caledon Hills Bruce Trail Club to create photos for the upcoming book NIAGARA ESCARPMENT: Land Between Waters. Thank you for your kindness and guidance, Michael!
NEBN Board members Tim Johnson and Mark Zelinski, along with Karl and Jennifer Dockstader, and Niagara Parks Historian Jim Hill publicly launched Landscape of Nations: Beyond the Mist at Royal Botanical Gardens, a magnificent book published by the Niagara Parks Commission. The book sold out at the oversubscribed Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum launch event (lower right) and is available at all Niagara Parks’ stores. (photos by David Galbraith and Ryan Johnson)
Passionate naturalist and conservationist Annette Sandberg is the newest Board member of NEBN and Board member of Escarpment Corridor Alliance. Annette guided me across Blue Mountains and South Georgian Bay over a glorious two days in October to create photos for the upcoming book NIAGARA ESCARPMENT: Land Between Waters. Thank you and welcome to NEBN Annette! (Photos by Annette Sandberg)
October 19 public tour of the Saltfleet Wetland Restoration Project led by Scott Peck, Deputy CAO/Director of Watershed Management Service of Hamilton Conservation Authority. I’m grateful that HCA protects so much escarpment habitat in Hamilton!
In October I had the pleasure of visiting/photographing Whole Village, a cooperative farming ecovillage in Caledon Hills that aspires to model and support resilient, just, and regenerative systems. I was inspired by this harmonious community and its commitment to sustainability and land stewardship. https://www.wholevillage.org/
I’m grateful to Tim Lanthier CAO of Grey Sauble Conservation Authority for guiding me to numerous wetlands, waterfalls, trails and caves stewarded by GSCA. Shown here at Bognor marsh, with Tim’s photographic expertise and experience with these amazing properties, I was able to create spectacular photos for my upcoming book.
The spectacular Escarpment Corridor Alliance Nature Summit 2024 with more than 260 attendees. ECA was formed two years ago to protect Southern Georgian Bay’s Niagara Escarpment Biosphere from mega development. (lower photo) NEBN board member Jeff Barrett, founder of Canadian Wild Schools, at the Summit with Mike Robbins, President of Tourism Company Inc., Board member with ECA and Aspiring Georgian Bay Geopark, member of the Trebek Council and IUCN.
(Top) NEBN Board member Caley Patrick Nadjiwon Doran engages the audience at ECA Nature Summit 2024. (Bottom Left) Caley joined a panel consisting of Stephen Couchman Former Project Director, Bhutan Canada Foundation, Michael McDonald CEO, Bruce Trail Conservancy, and Tomasz Wiercioch Program Manager, Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System. (Bottom Right) Keynote Speake Dr. Kelly L. Cerialo  coordinator of the U.S. UNESCO Biosphere Network and co-founder of the U.S. Biosphere Reserve Youth Network.
The Long Point Biosphere Region 12th Annual Research & Conservation Conference in Port Dover was an opportunity for academic and student researchers, government agencies, NGOs and the public to take part in an exchange of ideas related to environmental sustainability and conservation. (Top) The Long Point Biosphere Region team with NEBN board members Leslie Adams and Mark Zelinski.
NEBN Board member Leslie Adams in lively conversation at the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Network table/display at the Long Point Biosphere Conference. Mark Zelinski donated signed copies of his “book without words: UNTITLED, to each of the conference presenters. Thanks to Cynthia Brink, LPBR Project Manager for inviting NEBN to this informative conference. (bottom photo by Leslie Adams)
Thank you Beth Gilhespy for showing me the incredible views from EBC’s McKicken Nature Preserve overlooking Hockley Valley. Beth is CEO at Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy (EBC), a Geologist/Author, and Chair of the Ontario Land Trust Alliance.
On November 13 at Kelso Conservation Area, Minister Karina Gould + Milton MP Adam van Koeverden joined with Michael McDonald CEO, Bruce Trail Conservancy, to announce over $2 million to expand the Bruce Trail Conservancy’s protected area by 333 hectares. This investment builds on the $5 million announced in 2022, helping Canada meet its goal of protecting 30% of lands and waters by 2030.
A group photo to celebrate all who attended the Bruce Trail Conservancy $2 Million announcement and hike at Kelso Conservation Area. (Bottom Left) NEBN Board member Leslie Adams with Halton North Peel Naturalist Club leaders Margaret and John Beaudette, and with Mary Brown of Sustainable Milton (Bottom Right).

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