Laurier Liberal Ladies Learn About Niagara Escarpment

Today Don Alexander spoke to the St. Catharines Laurier Liberal Ladies about the Niagara Escarpment. In the 1970s Don was a member of the Niagara Region planning and development committee at a time when the Niagara Escarpment Commission was formed and when urban boundaries were established. Don delivered a very informative talk about the escarpment and has a special feel for the escarpment having lived in both the Bruce and Niagara Peninsulas. Don referred to the escarpment as being a "sacred space" and explained that the word sacred does not necessarily mean religious, but means outside of the ordinary.

The escarpment is 725 kilometres long, extends from here to Tobermoray and includes 120 parks. The Niagara Escarpment Plan was completed in 1973 and was developed through a public consultation process. There are 3 areas outlined in the plan: the natural area or the scarp itself which is protected from being built on, a protection area which is a buffer zone, and a rural area which recognizes that agriculture has a real role and is not just a holding area for development. In addition, it is recognized that the escarpment includes mineral resource areas and has a recreation designation.

The Niagara Escarpment is part of a world biosphere, a world wide network of important areas. Brock University has the unique reputation of having its totality of lands in a world's biosphere.

Don gave all of us a better understanding of the treasure we have in the Niagara escarpment.