NIAGARA ESCARPMENT BIOSPHERE NETWORK BLOG

One Woman’s Relationship with the Niagara Escarpment

14/03/2023

The Niagara Escarpment is a natural wonder that never fails to captivate with its wildness. Its rugged cliffs, waterfalls, and dense forests evoke a sense of timelessness, transporting you back to a primordial era. It’s easy to get lost in its natural beauty and forget about the chaos of modern life. Walking along the Escarpment allows for a chance to find inner peace and connect with nature. The quietness in the mind that’s created through these experiences allows one to feel humbled by their surroundings and evokes questions about the nature of life itself and our place within it.

It’s no wonder that this magnificent landform has been designated a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, and it’s exciting to see the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Network working so hard to share its story with a wider audience and protect it for future generations to experience. As the manager of the Aspiring Niagara Geopark, I am honoured and excited to have the opportunity to work alongside the NEBN to educate people about the geology of the Escarpment, its unique ecosystem, and the cultural significance it holds for local Indigenous communities. Being involved in such a worthwhile endeavour is a truly fulfilling experience.

My favourite place to enjoy the Niagara Escarpment is at the Beamer Memorial Conservation Area. The views from atop the Escarpment are incredible and when looking out over Lake Ontario one can’t help but wonder what this place must have looked like when the waters of glacial Lake Iroquois came right up to the Escarpment edge. It’s an incredible feeling to witness a landform that has been shaped by geological forces over millions of years. I especially enjoy wandering down the paths of the Escarpment slopes, surrounded by the beauty of nature, with hawks soaring overhead, rivers rushing, and leaves rustling in the wind. It’s easy to lose track of time while here, and I can’t help but feel a sense of awe and appreciation for the natural world. The Beamer Memorial Conservation Area is a testament to the importance of preserving natural habitats and protecting the biodiversity that exists within them.

Special places along the Escarpment would not exist without the important work of the NEBN. Through their work, we are presented with a priceless gift that only nature can provide, and for this I am profoundly grateful. It is a privilege to be working alongside the dedicated team at the NEBN to help tell the story of the Escarpment and to help preserve these areas for future generations.

If you have not yet had the chance to see the Niagara Escarpment for yourself, do it! Go now! Share your photos and experiences with the people you love and spread the gifts of calm, peace, and inspiration that the Escarpment gives so generously. I promise you it will not disappoint.

—  Aydan Drumm is Manager of Administration, Membership & Programs, Niagara Peninsula Geopark.