Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy (EBC)

Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy (EBC) Protecting Ontario's Sensitive and Vulnerable Landscape Since 1997 EBC welcomes over 25,000 hikers/visitors to its 80 plus kms of trails every year.

EBC has created over 206 nature reserves for a total of over 21,000 acres in Southern Ontario. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, 20 kilometers of Great Lakes shoreline and the habitat for 70 species of conservation concern are now protected. We have sequestered more than 750,000 tonnes of Carbon in the past 20 years and currently sequesters 80,000 plus tonnes every year. EBC is the largest

"regional" land trust in the province of Ontario, second of all charitable land trusts in the province after the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

600 acres. One unforgettable morning at Benallen Nature Preserve.On Saturday, we celebrated the expansion of Benallen to...
06/01/2026

600 acres. One unforgettable morning at Benallen Nature Preserve.

On Saturday, we celebrated the expansion of Benallen to approximately 600 acres of preserved forests, wetlands and wildlife habitat within the Shouldice Provincially Significant Wetland complex.

Together with Ducks Unlimited Canada, donors, volunteers, partners and community members, we marked a milestone made possible by many hands and a shared love for the land.

Guests explored the preserve by trail and wagon, with guided hikes led by Rob Wray, Jeannine Kralt, Ron Savage and CEO Beth Gilhespy, as well as wagon rides generously offered by the Catto family. We were also honoured to welcome MPP Paul Vickers.

What made the day so special was seeing people connect with the place itself: the muddy trails, the open skies, the wetlands, the conversations and the quiet reminder of what can happen when a community comes together to care for nature.

Benallen is now 600 acres strong, and its future is forever.

Field Notes Friday: A Message from AboveSometimes the most memorable field notes arrive with wings.Earlier this month, K...
05/29/2026

Field Notes Friday: A Message from Above

Sometimes the most memorable field notes arrive with wings.

Earlier this month, Kristin Bickell, EBC’s Stewardship Coordinator on Manitoulin, and new Land Steward Leslie Marshall were out at one of our Nature Preserves when they spotted Peregrine Falcons overhead.

A local birds of prey specialist had mentioned seeing them in the area last year and noted that they may be the only Peregrine Falcons currently known on the island. Seeing them again was exciting, but the moment quickly turned into a clear reminder to give wildlife space.

When one of the falcons dove toward the team, they left the area soon after, recognizing they may have been too close to a sensitive nesting site.

Peregrine Falcons are powerful, cliff-nesting birds known for their incredible speed and fierce defence of nesting areas. This field note was a humbling reminder that sometimes stewardship means knowing when to quietly step back.

Photograph taken by Mathew Schwartz.

Wildlife Wednesday: Black-and-white WarblerA recent sighting at Benallen Nature Preserve gave us a glimpse of one of spr...
05/27/2026

Wildlife Wednesday: Black-and-white Warbler

A recent sighting at Benallen Nature Preserve gave us a glimpse of one of spring’s most distinctive songbirds: the Black-and-white Warbler.

With its crisp black-and-white stripes and unusual habit of creeping along tree trunks and branches, this small bird stands out not just for how it looks, but for how it moves. Rather than darting through leaves like many warblers, it searches bark and moss for insects, bringing quiet energy to the forest in its own distinctive way.

It is exactly the kind of species that makes a spring visit to Benallen so rewarding. At this time of year, the preserve’s forests and wetlands are full of movement, birdsong, and seasonal change.

Join us this Saturday, May 30, to celebrate Benallen Nature Preserve and experience this special landscape in spring.

Last chance to sign up: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/benallen-celebration

Photograph taken by Rob Wray

Behind the Scenes: Planting for Lake Sturgeon This weekend, 17 volunteers rolled up their sleeves at Nottawasaga Saulain...
05/25/2026

Behind the Scenes: Planting for Lake Sturgeon

This weekend, 17 volunteers rolled up their sleeves at Nottawasaga Saulaine Nature Preserve, helping plant 300 native trees and shrubs along the banks of the Nottawasaga River.
With the support and organization of the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA), volunteers joined four NVCA staff and one EBC staff member to plant swamp white oak, hackberry, maple, cedar, tamarack and nannyberry.

Over time, these native plants will help restore riparian forest cover, stabilize the riverbank, provide shade and improve habitat along the river.

This work is especially meaningful because the Nottawasaga River supports spawning Lake Sturgeon, a threatened species in Ontario. By helping restore healthy riverbank habitat and improve conditions along the river, this project contributes to the long-term recovery of this remarkable fish.

A huge thank you to NVCA and every volunteer who helped get these plants in the ground. NVCA and EBC will continue monitoring the restoration project as this stretch of riverbank begins to recover and grow.

A wonderful feature from The Owen Sound Current on the completion of Benallen Nature Preserve!With the addition of 365 a...
05/25/2026

A wonderful feature from The Owen Sound Current on the completion of Benallen Nature Preserve!

With the addition of 365 acres, Benallen now preserves nearly 600 acres of connected wetlands, forests and wildlife habitat north of Owen Sound. Together with Ducks Unlimited Canada and the many funders and supporters who helped make this possible, we are preserving an important landscape for species including Wood Thrush, Eastern Meadowlark, Canada Warbler, Snapping Turtle, Sandhill Crane and more.

This Saturday, May 30, join us at Benallen Nature Preserve for guided nature walks and light refreshments as we celebrate this remarkable conservation achievement together.

Read the full Owen Sound Current article:
https://www.owensoundcurrent.com/p/benallen-nature-preserve-expands

Learn more and register for the celebration:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/benallen-celebration

Photographs taken by Rob Wray at Benallen Nature Preserve.

Spend a morning helping restore the banks of the Nottawasaga River.On Saturday, May 23, we’re partnering with Nottawasag...
05/20/2026

Spend a morning helping restore the banks of the Nottawasaga River.

On Saturday, May 23, we’re partnering with Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority for a riparian planting at Nottawasaga Saulaine Nature Preserve in Angus.

Together, volunteers will plant trees and shrubs along the river to help stabilize the banks, improve water quality, provide shade, and create healthier habitat for birds, fish, and other wildlife.

We’re looking for 10 to 12 volunteers to join us for this hands-on morning of restoration.

When: Saturday, May 23, 2026, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Nottawasaga Saulaine Nature Preserve, Angus, ON
Meeting point: Simcoe County Forest, Foster Tract

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/plant-trees-along-the-nottawasaga-river-in-essa-tickets-1988491897795?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

Come help care for the river, one tree at a time.

Wildlife Wednesday: HepaticaThis hepatica was recently spotted at Benallen Nature Preserve by Rob Wray, a quiet spring d...
05/20/2026

Wildlife Wednesday: Hepatica

This hepatica was recently spotted at Benallen Nature Preserve by Rob Wray, a quiet spring detail on the forest floor.

These delicate native wildflowers are among the earlier signs of the season, often blooming before the tree canopy fully leafs out. What look like petals are actually colourful, petal-like sepals, which can range from white and pink to lavender or bluish purple.

Hepatica is also known as liverleaf, a name inspired by its three-lobed leaves, which were once thought to resemble the lobes of a human liver. Those leathery leaves can remain through winter, helping the plant get a head start in spring.

Although hepatica does not produce nectar, it does provide early-season pollen for small native bees and other early pollinators when few other flowers are blooming.

On Saturday, May 30, we’re inviting the community to experience Benallen Nature Preserve for themselves as we celebrate the completion of this nearly 600-acre preserved landscape in Georgian Bluffs.

Join us for guided nature walks, light refreshments, and a chance to notice the wetlands, forests, meadows, trails, and quiet seasonal details that make Benallen so special.

Register here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/benallen-celebration

What does nearly 600 acres of preserved land look like?At Benallen Nature Preserve, it looks like wetlands filled with b...
05/19/2026

What does nearly 600 acres of preserved land look like?

At Benallen Nature Preserve, it looks like wetlands filled with birdsong, forests coming alive with spring growth, open meadow habitat, and new trails that invite people to experience the landscape up close.

On Saturday, May 30, we’re gathering in Georgian Bluffs, near the community of Benallen, to celebrate the completion of this remarkable conservation project.

Join us for guided nature walks, light refreshments, and a chance to thank the people and partners who helped make Benallen possible.

Register for FREE here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/benallen-celebration

Photograph of Benallen Nature Preserve taken by Ducks Unlimited Canada.

Earlier this month, 12 Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy members took on the steep hike up Sheguiandah Hill, cleaning up ...
05/18/2026

Earlier this month, 12 Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy members took on the steep hike up Sheguiandah Hill, cleaning up garbage and plastic waste from Batman’s Cottages and Campground to Ten Mile Point.

By the end of the day, they had hauled out 21 full bags of garbage, plus signs, tires, construction materials, and more from the steep banks!

Tired legs, full bags, cleaner slopes, and a big thank you to everyone who helped care for this beautiful part of Manitoulin Island (Mnidoo Mnising).

Wildlife Wednesday: Eastern GartersnakeAs the weather warms, Eastern Gartersnakes are becoming more active across Ontari...
05/13/2026

Wildlife Wednesday: Eastern Gartersnake

As the weather warms, Eastern Gartersnakes are becoming more active across Ontario. These familiar snakes can be found in a wide range of habitats, including forests, fields, wetlands, gardens, and the edges between habitats.

They are often one of the first snake species people notice in spring, when they may be seen basking in sunny spots or moving through grasses and forest edges. Eastern Gartersnakes feed on a variety of prey, including earthworms, slugs, frogs, toads, salamanders, small fish, and occasionally small mammals. Like all snakes, they play an important role in healthy ecosystems.

This Friday, our stewardship team will be at Orlowski Nature Preserve monitoring snake boards as part of the Long-term Monitoring of Snakes program, in collaboration with Ontario Nature. Eastern Gartersnakes are one of the species these boards may help us detect, along with other snakes using the preserve.

These boards provide cover where snakes may rest, warm up, or shelter. Trained volunteers can then check them carefully and record what they find. Over time, this kind of monitoring helps us learn more about Eastern Gartersnakes and other snake species at Orlowski Nature Preserve, including where they are found, which habitats they are using, and how we can continue to care for the places they depend on.

We are also looking for 1 to 2 volunteers to help with weekly snake monitoring at Orlowski Nature Preserve from mid-May to mid-July. This involves a total of eight surveys, completed every 5 to 9 days, either in the early morning or evening.

Interactive Training Session:
Orlowski Nature Preserve, Wiarton
Friday, May 15, 2026
1:00 to 3:00 pm

Register here:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/ontarionature/2149952

For more information about volunteering, please contact Liv at [email protected].

Address

192 Spadina Avenue, Suite 304
Toronto, ON
M5T2C2

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+18888159575

Website

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