Niagara Escarpment Legacy Plaques Unveiled Celebrating the Work of the
Honourable William G. Davis

    
    Plaque Unveiling, 12p.m. Fireman's Park, Niagara Falls Reception
    following immediately, Chateau des Charmes, Niagara-on-the-Lake
    

NIAGARA FALLS, ON, Nov. 2 /CNW/ - Former Premier William G. Davis is still making news 50 years after his Maiden Speech in the Ontario Legislature. The Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation is honouring Mr. Davis today for his vision of Southern Ontario, balancing built-up urban areas alongside protected natural areas for farming, important environmental features and rural life.

"I am honoured to celebrate today what my government accomplished with the protection of the Escarpment," said Mr. Davis . "It is extremely gratifying to know that this land is now part of the much larger Greenbelt, which I hope continues to grow and protect precious natural features and farmland," Davis added.

The plaques are being erected on signposts and placed at the entrances to five hiking trails along the length and breadth of the Greenbelt - Forks of the Credit, Hamilton, Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula, Niagara Falls and Owen Sound.

" Mr. Davis knew that the Niagara Escarpment was the defining natural feature as the spine of Southern Ontario and needed special protection. His bold and visionary action has inspired half a century of environmentalists, provided outdoor enjoyment for millions of families and reassured farmers and rural dwellers that prime farmland and rural life was a top priority in Ontario," said Burkhard Mausberg, President, Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation.

MPP for Niagara Falls Kim Craitor spoke: " Mr. Davis 's legacy is perhaps best exemplified by his commitment to protecting the Escarpment. It is one of the most iconic natural features in southern Ontario and it is thanks to him that we can continue to celebrate its natural heritage today."

Niagara Falls Mayor Ted Salci said: "We are pleased that Mr. Davis is being recognized for his work in preserving the Niagara Escarpment, a natural feature so fundamental to the Niagara landscape and economy. This plaque will be appreciated by the thousands of people who love to hike here every year."

    
    Plaque Inscription

                           Friend of the Greenbelt
                   The Honourable William Grenville Davis
                         Premier of Ontario 1971-1985

    The Niagara Escarpment is an important part of Ontario's natural heritage
    system. It hosts a myriad of flora and fauna, some of which are
    endangered or rare.

    In 1973, Premier Davis and the Government of Ontario took the remarkable
    step of enacting the Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act.
    This led to the establishment of the Niagara Escarpment Commission and
    the creation of the Niagara Escarpment Plan. As Canada's first
    environmental land-use plan, it protects this unique 725 kilometre
    landform stretching from Niagara Falls to the tip of the Bruce Peninsula.

    In recognition of its ecological significance, the Niagara Escarpment was
    designated a World Biosphere Reserve in 1990 by UNESCO, the United
    Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The Niagara
    Escarpment became a permanent part of Ontario's Greenbelt in 2005.
    

Wrapping around the Golden Horseshoe, the Greenbelt is 1.8 million acres of potential to make Ontario a better place. Encompassing the Niagara Escarpment, the Oak Ridges Moraine, Rouge Park, hundreds of rural towns and villages and some 7,000 farms, Ontario's Greenbelt is the largest and most diverse in the world.

The Greenbelt Foundation began in June 2005 as an independent, charitable foundation dedicated to promoting and sustaining the Greenbelt as a beneficial, valuable, and permanent feature, enhancing the quality of life for Ontario residents.

To date, the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation has awarded $13.5 million in grants to organizations working in support of farming, the environment and rural communities in the Greenbelt.

For more information visit www.greenbelt.ca

For further information: Jennifer Story, Communications Manager, Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation, [phone] (cell), [phone], or [email protected]