The Dundas Valley 50 Year Vision and Strategy joined forces
with the Hamilton Conservation Foundation (HCF), the Hamilton-Halton Watershed
Stewardship Program (HHWSP) and the Giants Rib Discovery Centre (GRDC) to
recognize the year’s donors and volunteers and all the efforts to preserve and
enhance the Dundas Valley Area through a special Nature Crawl, The Shades of
Autumn. Free to all donors, the crawl
featured a BBQ and two guided hikes into the beauty of the Dundas Valley, in
the height of its fall colours.
HCF and HHWSP were also highlighting their receipt of a
donation by the RBC Blue Water Project Leadership Grant of $45,000 dollars for
an upcoming pilot project entitled Made
in Dundas Solutions to Managing Stormwater.
This grant will fund the HHWSP’s
work with landowners and volunteers in the built Community of Dundas to
encourage, design, implement and demonstrate lot level retrofit projects to
reduce the impacts of stormwater runoff into Spencer Creek, which flows into
Cootes Paradise, Hamilton Harbour and Lake Ontario. More about the HHWSP
One of the guided hikes was led by Giant’s Rib volunteer
hike leader, Ron Plinte. Ron is one of a half dozen volunteers who leads
weekend interpretive hikes for the GRDC. The “Giant’s Rib” was an early name
for the Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve. The Giant’s Rib Discovery Centre is a small
interpretive centre in the Dundas Valley’s Trail Centre building, which
educates visitors about the Niagara Escarpment. Fossil displays, interpretive
panels, an escarpment library, taxidermy and crafts for kids are a few features
visitors can enjoy on weekends, thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers. As
part of the Giant’s Rib Escarpment Education Network (GREEN), the Discovery
Centre also features a monthly artist or photographer on display, monthly
lectures, curriculum-based Rocks and Minerals teacher’s kits for grade 4, and
an escarpment website. The Giant’s Rib is a partner in the Dundas Valley 50
Year Vision. GREEN holds volunteer appreciation days in the spring and fall and
was excited to share this event with the Foundation and contribute to the
excellent program enjoyed by all. More about the Giant’s Rib Discovery Centre.
The Dundas Valley 50 Year Vision is a comprehensive
community centric initiative which is focused on conservation efforts that are
meant to preserve or enhance the Dundas Valley Community and Area. It was my
pleasure as Project Manager for the Dundas Valley 50 Year Vision to recognize
the efforts of many, and to share how they are helping the community and the
Hamilton Conservation Authority realize several elements of the 50 Year Vision.
After the key note address and the cheque presentation by
RBC to the Hamilton Conservation Foundation, two guided hikes were offered into
the Dundas Valley. As the Dundas Valley 50 Year Vision Project Manager I led a
guided hike to the Hermitage and back along the Main Loop trail. The valley
floor and tree canopy provided a spectacular variety of colours for those
participating in the hike, and there was plenty of opportunity to highlight the
unique natural features of the Dundas Valley Conservation Area including the
Carolinian Forest, the Niagara Escarpment, and the history of Sulphur Springs,
Sulphur Creek and the Hermitage. The
comprehensive 50 Year Vision recognizes the unique architectural and cultural
heritage the history of the area provides; the promotion and preservation of
this area is central to the 50 year vision, and sharing it with people is
essential.
The Nature Crawl event provided the opportunity for the
Hamilton Conservation Foundation to recognize the donors and volunteers that
make environmental, and conservation efforts possible throughout our watershed.
In the future, this event will provide the opportunity for partnering
organizations, and those fulfilling elements within the vision, to promote
their work and reach out to like-minded people, be it organizations, or possible
donors/volunteers.
To donate to the restoration of the Hermitage, please visit the Hamilton
Conservation Foundation’s website and select Hermitage Ruins Restoration in
the “Fund to Support” drop down menu. Or
contact the Hamilton Conservation Foundation
at 905-525-2181 between 8:30am and 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.
John Williams
Project Manager; Dundas Valley 50 Year Vision and Strategy
Hamilton Conservation Authority
Project Manager; Dundas Valley 50 Year Vision and Strategy
Hamilton Conservation Authority
