Cootes to Escarpment Park System: A Conservation Vision
The Hamilton Naturalists’ Club (HNC), through the HLT program, is one of nine partners spearheading the development of a long-term conservation vision for the natural lands and green space from the western end of Hamilton to Burlington.
Cootes Paradise Photo by Sandy Bell
Our vision is to link together 1,500 hectares (3,800 acres) of natural areas owned and managed by the partners (HNC, Bruce Trail Conservancy, City of Burlington, City of Hamilton, Conservation Halton, Hamilton Conservation Authority, Hamilton Halton Remedial Action Plan, Halton Region, and Royal Botanical Gardens). This globally significant urban park will stretch from Hamilton Harbour, through Cootes Paradise Marsh to a 10 km section of the UNESCO designated Niagara Escarpment. This is much larger than Hyde Park in London, England and Central Park in New York.
This is a new approach to protecting a unique area for future generations – Canada’s natural biodiversity hotspot and a region of spectacular natural beauty and that is one of the country’s most rapidly growing urban regions. Development such as housing, roads and rail lines has fragmented the once connected landscape. By managing the remaining important natural areas as a whole, we can work to restore the connections that are critical for wildlife movement.
Cootes to Escarpment Park System Vision Map
The area is one of the most botanically rich places in Canada, with nearly a quarter of the country’s wild plants growing within its present boundaries. It provides habitat for rare and endangered plant species such as red mulberry and water marigold. It’s also home to many rare wildlife species including spicebush swallowtail butterfly, eastern spring softshell turtle, hooded warbler and red-headed woodpecker. The significant ecosystems of this area must be protected to ensure the treasured natural landscapes we enjoy today will exist for future generations.
The Cootes to Escarpment Park System will be achieved through securement of additional lands that provide linkages to existing protected natural areas, protection of natural features on complementary lands that link and support the ecological function of the park system, management planning and stewardship actions, and environmental restoration of degraded areas.
The secondary goal is to facilitate sustainable recreational uses in appropriate locations. Hiking trails and interpretive areas will provide educational opportunities for the public and promote environmental appreciation and understanding. However, recreation will be limited to areas where it will not compromise the ecological integrity of the park system or disturb sensitive habitats.
The conservation strategy is the first step in defining a vision for the Cootes to Escarpment Park System. The next steps move the vision to a coordinated collaborative partnership for implementing the park system. The strategy outlines a series of policies and actions to secure the foundation of the park system over the next decade. The HNC will continue to play a leading role in this initiative through the Head-of-the-Lake Land Trust program.
