Your biosphere

This is your biosphere. Help keep it forever.

The Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve is one of Canada’s most scenic landforms. A massive ridge of fossil-rich sedimentary rock, the Escarpment was formed 450 million years ago as the outer rim of a shallow tropical sea.

• It is home to Canada’s longest footpath, the Bruce Trail (established in 1967), which connects more than 120 parks.
• It soars 510 metres (1675 ft.) at its highest point and stretches 725 km (450 miles) from Niagara Falls to Tobermory and outlying islands, at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula in Georgian Bay.
• It is a rich mosaic of forests, rivers and streams, waterfalls, farms, recreation areas, scenic views, cliffs, wetlands, rolling hills, mineral resources, wildlife habitats, historic sites, villages, towns and cities.
• With more than 300 bird species, 53 mammals, 36 reptiles and amphibians, 90 fish and 100 varieties of special interest flora including 37 types of wild orchids, it has the highest level of biodiversity among Canada’s 16 biosphere reserves.
• It also hosts some of Ontario’s finest skiing, fishing, camping, swimming, scuba diving, rock climbing, boating, hiking, bird watching and sight-seeing areas.

To explore recreation areas and activities in the Niagara Escarpment click here.

Did you know?….

• Only 2.2% of southern Ontario’s land is protected by National and Provincial parks, NGOs and other public agencies.
• The Niagara Escarpment is in the fastest-growing region of Canada.
• Expansion of urban areas has the potential to harm and or eradicate species, such as this incredible barn owl.
• The Niagara Escarpment Biosphere has the highest level of biodiversity among Canada’s 16 UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserves.

Tourism in the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve

Offering a diverse range of exciting activities ranging from wine and culinary touring to hiking and skiing, the Niagara Escarpment is one of Ontario’s premiere tourism destinations.
The Niagara Escarpment’s proximity to urban centres including Hamilton, St. Catharines, Oakville, Burlington, Owen Sound and Toronto make it an accessible and attractive tourism destination for outdoor recreation. The Escarpment traverses one of the most urbanized regions of Canada and offers vital green space and recreational areas for residents and visitors.
Each year, more than 400,000 visits are made to the Escarpment by day hikers, long distance hikers, cross-country skiers, canoeists, kayakers, wildlife enthusiasts, photographers and those who simply want to admire the glorious scenery of the Escarpment.

The Bruce Trail, Canada’s oldest and longest footpath follows the route of the Escarpment and offers outstanding hiking for beginner and experienced hikers. The Bruce Trail is maintained by dedicated volunteers, with nine regional clubs supporting the Bruce Trail Conservancy in managing this beautiful public footpath.

The Niagara Escarpment – a World Biosphere Reserve

Biosphere reserves are areas in the world that demonstrate a balanced relationship between humans and the biosphere. Collaborative efforts among people in the biosphere area promote the sustainability of local economies and communities as well as the conservation of the terrestrial/or coastal ecosystems.

In 1990, UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) named the Niagara Escarpment a World Biosphere Reserve — an internationally recognized landscape. It is one of only 16 biosphere reserves in Canada and is part of a network of over 534 worldwide.

Biosphere reserves strive to conserve the diversity of plants, animals and micro-organisms which make up our living environment and maintain healthy, natural ecosystems while meeting the material needs, desires and health of a growing population.