October 23, 2006
The Government of Ontario has donated more than 180 acres of environmentally sensitive land on the Niagara Escarpment to the Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA). This transfer reinforces the government's ongoing commitment to increased parkland and protected natural areas across the province, particularly in the Greater Golden Horseshoe, which is one of the fastest-growing regions in North America.
The Eramosa Karst lands are located in the former City of Stoney Creek. The property is owned by several parties, but most of it was provincially owned. The City of Hamilton protects some of the key features and the rest is under private ownership.
A Unique Geological Formation
Karsts are geological formations including underground drainage, caves and passages caused by dissolving rock, found in limestone formations like the Niagara Escarpment. The Ministry of Natural Resources designated the Eramosa Karst lands as an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest in 2003, because it is believed to have the largest number of unique karst features in any single area in the province.
A Valuable Educational Resource
The diversity of geological features and its central location in the Greater Golden Horseshoe, makes the Eramosa Karst one of the best sites in Ontario for education and research opportunities. Protecting the Eramosa Karst's unique network of features will ensure that scientists, students and naturalists can continue to enjoy this natural resource.
Hamilton Conservation Authority
The Hamilton Conservation Authority, located at the western end of Lake Ontario, is the area's largest environmental management agency and is dedicated to the conservation and enjoyment of watershed lands and water resources.
A Major Feature in Hamilton's Open-space Strategy
To coincide with this land transfer, the Hamilton Conservation Authority launched a major communications, marketing and fundraising campaign around the Hamilton East-end Open Space Replacement Strategy. The Eramosa Karst plays a major role in this strategy, which seeks to secure some 210 acres of land for new parklands and trail systems to link the karst lands to the Mount Albion and Felker's Falls conservation areas, expand the latter, and address a number of related natural heritage issues. The strategy was developed in March 2004, by a committee representing the conservation authority, the City of Hamilton and the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, with input from the mayor's office and local MPPs.
Contact:
Garnet Cowsill
Hamilton Conservation Authority
905-525-2181 ext 136
